Three games into his season, Mark Ingram is appearing to be in prime Heisman form. Totaling 355 yards and six touchdowns, it would be hard for anyone to doubt the defending recipient of the prestigious award. He is not battling Toby Gerhart, defensive juggernaut Ndamukong Suh, or, despite how much Florida may try to resurrect him through the jump pass, Tim Tebow.
Instead, he is battling a slew of young or new standouts and competition from his own backfield. This year will be an uphill battle for Ingram, and he has many different obstacles to overcome. As blasphemous as it may sound, Cam Newton has a better chance of winning the Heisman than Mark Ingram.
The first obstacle lies in his very own backfield. Trent Richardson was a standout player last year who would come in to provide a little spark when Ingram needed a rest. This year, he is being used as the X-factor in a one-two punch combination and carries the ball just as much as Ingram, even outperforming Ingram on Saturday.
Whether you want to refer to them as Thunder and Thunder, The Two-Headed Monster, The Fast and Furious, or, the ridiculously redundant term CBS coined, Meat and Potatoes, one thing is for certain: There are two Heisman quality running backs in the backfield, and it would be idiotic to not utilize one for the other’s fortune.
The second obstacle lies in his very own offense. Alabama is not the team of old. They are not the team under Brodie Croyle, John Parker Wilson or (prepare to cringe) Spencer Pennington. This is a team that arguably has the best running backs in the nation but also has – without argument – the best balance in the nation.
Greg McElroy is by no means the most athletic, precise, or dominating quarterback, but he is best in the aspect that is often overlooked. He is the best game manager in college football. While managing the game requires allowing the run to take place, Alabama has the tools to go five wide, play-action, and utilize their wide receivers as quarterbacks. The offense is built for balance, not individual excellence.
Lastly, the final obstacle is out of his control. Playmakers are seemingly appearing from everywhere this football year. Of course, names like Terrell Pryor, Kellen Moore and Ryan Mallett were supposed to be in the mix. Who would have thought that little Denard ‘Shoelace’ Robinson would go for around 1,000 yards passing and rushing through the first five games?
That is three times the rushing yards of Mark Ingram for a quarterback, and, with the soft Big Ten schedule that lies ahead of Michigan, one can expect more of the same. Who would have thought that the laptop-stealing Cam Newton would steal as many yards through the air and on the ground as he has through the beginning of this season? He is at least ninety percent of their offense.
Auburn has only two seemingly tough games before coming to Tuscaloosa, and they are both in Jordan-Hare. Auburn has the chance to be, dare I say, undefeated coming into Tuscaloosa behind the arm and legs of a Heisman contender.
The Heisman is given to the ‘outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.’ Mark Ingram is the best athlete in the country. He plays for the best coach in the country, in front of the best fans in the country, and on the best team in the country.
However, to be the most outstanding college football player, one’s best has to be noticeably better than what is around them. Denard Robinson is better than what is around him and noticeably is the reason his team wins. It is the same with Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett and Terrell Pryor. You had a good run, Ingram, but I am sure that I, along with rest of the Alabama faithful, would rather see number fourteen than number two.
Tyler Rigdon is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering.
