Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

I went golfing again today. Par 35…I was at a 37 going into the final hole. Par 4, 309 yards, water to the left, no bunkers, straight shot, swinging with a strong wind at my back.

I step up, no practice swing, crush the tee shot…it was a little left (15-20 yards) but it would have been on the green if I hit it dead straight. The lie was tough because I was about two feet from the water, so I couldn’t center myself with the ball. The chip went right, leaving me about 30 feet for birdie. Botched the putt, left it a good 10 feet short (I told you I botched it). Miss the 10-footer long. Now I’m fuming and I miss the four-foot tap for a triple bogey 43….I wanted to throw my clubs in the lake...(I didn't).

Thought I’d share. If you don’t want to hear any more golf stories, you’re in luck, because it looks like the cold is here to stay for a few months.

I wanted to try something different with the Heisman watch this week. I pitched the following idea to Rob: “What about a Heisman watch just using players from Saturday’s game?”

Rob: “You pretty much did that yesterday.”

He’s right. I did. So, I guess I’ll do my regular bit in the spirit of Archie Griffin, Charles Woodson, Eddie George, Desmond Howard, Tom Harmon, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz and Mr. “Hop Along” Howard Cassady.

Cassady was the 1955 running back-defensive back who won the award with 2,219 points (second place was 742, third was 383). In his Heisman write up it says: “Overlooked were his sparkling defensive plays; he never had a pass completed over him in four years of Big Ten competition.” Done deal.

Let’s get serious:

Troy Smith, Ohio State
Quarterback, Senior
Smith must remember the eternal words of Coach Riley from the Mighty Ducks: “It’s not worth winning if you can’t win big.”
Last week: 12-19, 185 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 15 rush yards at Northwestern
This week: You know what’s going on….

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Quarterback, Senior
Army may be 3-7 this year, but they are 18th in pass defense. But don’t expect the boys from West Point to be in the top 20 after Quinn gets through with them. Four touchdowns this week would put him up to 33…that’s a lot of TDs (he had 32 last year). Leinart had 33 the year he won the Heisman.
Last week: 14-19, 207 yards, 4 TDs at Air Force
This week: vs Army

Ray Rice, Rutgers
Running Back, Sophomore
He’s done everything to be high up on this list. A big game against West Virignia and so-so games from Smith this Saturday and Quinn against USC, you’d have to seriously the country’s No. 3 rusher.
Last week:22 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs vs. No. 3 Louisville
This week: at Cincinnati

Colt McCoy, Texas
Quarterback, Freshman
This kid has been on fire all season. It’s a shame he went down with a stinger in Texas’ loss to Kansas State. It looks like he’ll play this weekend, and if he does and tosses a few touchdowns, he’ll have 30. Oh, he’s also the country’s fourth-ranked passer. FOURTH.
Last week: 4-4, 51 yards at Kansas State
This week:vs Texas A&M

Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Running Back, Sophomore
His performance against Louisville will keep him from winning the award this year, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be in the top 5. He’s second in the country in rushing…just look at what he did against Cincinnati. There’s a good chance he’ll make someone on the Pittsburgh defense cry on national TV tonight. I’d tune in.
Last week:12 rushes, 148 yards, 2 TDs vs Cincinnati
This week:at Pittsburgh (11/16)

I gotta jet right now though, so no “making moves” or “defensive bruiser” this week. I’ll pick my winner tomorrow (I STILL CAN’T DECIDE).