Is the Heisman Geno Smith's to Lose? - jmik58's Blog

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Is the Heisman Geno Smith's to Lose? Stuck

Posted on October 11, 2012 at 02:58 PM.

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Geno Smith has the 2012 Heisman Trophy all wrapped up -- if the rest of the team cooperates.

If you read my Heisman preview for this season you may remember the argument that the award is much more than a performance-based honor. Beyond the on-field exceptionalism it takes geography, class, team, and story. No one else within driving distance of Smith and the Mountaineers looks to have a chance at stealing votes from West Virginia's quarterback. Likewise, extend the concept of geography to that of the Big-12 conference and it doesn't look as if he has much competition there either. The only other choice would be Collin Klein and there's little hope that voters would pass on Smith's prolific arm over Klein's gritty running skills.

Next up, the fact that Smith is a senior weighs less heavily in the grand scheme of the Heisman -- but it still matters. There's something about picking a "mature" player that makes voters feel good when they get the chance. If it comes down to an identical choice for the award in other categories, Smith will get the nod.

Most obviously, and of prerequisite importance, is that Smith has the numbers to garner the award. He's thrown for twenty-four touchdowns to zero interceptions, has completed 81.4% of his passes, and the biggest question about his throwing numbers may be whether or not his quarterback rating (202.4) finishes higher than his weight (214 lbs).

While all of those less objective factors explicitly push Geno Smith towards the top of the Heisman ballot it's the story aspect -- and subsequent success of the team -- that blows him through the roof faster than the top of a thermometer on the sunny side of Mercury.

Geno Smith and the narrative he is creating are out of this world but also familiar. He's leading the West Virginia Mountaineers into the spotlight the way that Robert Griffin III did for the Baylor Bears in 2011. We all know how that turned out for RG3. And like Griffin III, Smith has room for error in the win-loss column -- his numbers set him apart that significantly. What he's doing in leading West Virginia towards a potential national championship appearance set him apart from any other at his school in modern memory.

If a one-loss SEC team, an undefeated Oregon squad and undefeated West Virginia remain at the end of the regular season, voters and the BCS machine will have an interesting selection to make.

I have a feeling, however, that the national championship will shape up like the big-time ceremony that will precedes it at the Downtown Athletic Club in early December. If an undefeated West Virginia squad is still standing, the nation and voters won't pass up on Geno Smith and the Mountaineers.

Sound Off: Will Geno Smith win the Heisman? Who are your top-five contenders?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 scottyo60 @ Oct 11

Yes he will. I feel bad in your preview I ranked him at 5. But it was fair I think at the time. I'm not sure if I can list a top 5 other than him at this moment

# 2 Jadakiss88 @ Oct 11

Yes....he has put up some HUGE numbers albeit Baylor doesn't even have a decent D but when you go against an opponent like that that's exactly what an Elite QB should do. The fact that in comparison to RGIII to this point in the season he hasn't thrown a INT (5 games in RGIII threw 1 INT) and he is leading a very talented WVU team to a Big 12 Championship their first year in the conference is huge. It's Geno's to lose.

You could put Braxton Miller in that convo but he just cracked the 1000 yard mark but he is in the top 10 for rushing yards. The only problem with that is he struggled against UAB, he didn't even throw a TD against them and only could muster 146 yards through the air.

The running back from Nevada has put up some good looking numbers on the ground and also EJ Manuel has looked good minus the North Carolina St. game. But he only has two int's this year. But I am looking forward to seeing Geno raise the Heisman this year.