USF quarterback Matt Grothe's chances of winning the Heisman Trophy are improbable. I know that. Then again, how improbable is it that his Bulls are the No. 2 ranked team in the nation? The list of Heisman hopefuls doesn’t even include Grothe. And I want to know: why not?
He is the starting quarterback of an undefeated team, and he is the chief reason why that team is undefeated. So I'm here to make his case. Matt Grothe for the Heisman!
Is he the best college football player in the country? Probably not. Does he have the best numbers out there? No. But when we compare him to the other Heisman hopefuls, I think I can make a pretty good argument against each and every one. So, to members of the jury (or, in this case, the Heisman voters), I humbly submit my case:
Grothe vs. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Ryan has thrown for more than 1,000 yards more than Grothe and has 17 TDs compared to Grothe's seven, but he also has thrown twice as many interceptions. Two other things. Grothe is more versatile, rushing for 346 yards compared to Ryan's 38. Plus, BC hasn't played anybody. The Eagles' best victory might have been against a really bad Notre Dame team, and Ryan had his second-worst game of the season statistically. The Eagles certainly haven't faced any team as good as Auburn or West Virginia. Not yet, anyway.
Grothe vs. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Again, Grothe gets a huge advantage with his legs. Woodson, in fact, has minus-85 yards rushing. Woodson has put up huge numbers , but most came against teams such as Eastern Kentucky, FAU, Kent State and a Louisville team whose defense would have trouble stopping Armwood High. If you delve into the numbers, Woodson's worst games statistically were against then-No. 1 LSU and South Carolina. Yes, Kentucky beat LSU. Then again, it did lose to South Carolina.
Grothe vs. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford might have the best stats of anyone in the Heisman race even though he's a freshman. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns, has completed over 70 percent of his passes and has a 181.1 passer rating, which is better than all the Heisman candidates. But who has Oklahoma played? Texas? Okay, that's not a bad team. But who else? Miami? Please. And don't give us Missouri. Sure, the Tigers were undefeated, but they do this every year — they start hot then get clobbered when they start playing real teams. I think Grothe has faced better competition.
Grothe vs. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
You have to feel bad for Brennan. No one ever sees him because his team plays at 2 in the morning. On the surface, his numbers look impressive — 20 TDs, 2,395 yards, a 69.9 completion percentage. But here’s all you need to know to dismiss Brennan as a serious candidate: Northern Colorado, Louisiana Tech, UNLV, Charleston Southern, Idaho, Utah State, San Jose State. Can we move on now?
Grothe vs. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Dixon is a double threat like Grothe, but Grothe has rushed for more yards. Dixon's most impressive performance was when he threw for 292 yards and three scores, and rushed for 76 yards and another score against Michigan. But Michigan was reeling from losing to Appalachian State the week before and was not the team it is now. In his biggest game against Cal, Dixon threw for 306 yards, but was picked off twice. And Oregon lost.
Grothe vs. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Tebow has rushed for more yards. A lot more yards. He has thrown for more yards. A lot more yards. But Grothe's case here? Common opponent. Grothe threw for a score and ran for another against Auburn. Tebow did the same against Auburn: one TD in the air and another on the ground. But there were two differences. Tebow threw an interception against Auburn. And the other difference? Grothe won his game against Auburn.
Grothe vs. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
Hart is leading the nation in rushing and has rushed for 100 yards in every game, including games of 215, 188 and 187. But, come on, his team lost to Appalachian State. It wasn't his fault. In fact, only because of him, Michigan wasn't blown out by Appalachian State. But still, we're honestly going to vote for a guy whose team has lost twice, including a game to Appalachian State?
Grothe vs. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The preseason favorite has had a good year, but not a spectacular year with 822 yards and seven TDs on 147 carries. Teammate Felix Jones has numbers almost as good: 673 yards and five TDs on 66 carries. Anyway, Arkansas is 3-3, including a loss to Auburn when McFadden rushed for only 43 yards on 17 carries.
Tom Jones doesn't sing "It's Not Unusual'' or shake his hips (well, unless you're willing to pay cash), but he does have plenty to say about sports. If it's funny, crazy, weird, irreverent or worth arguing, Tom has his opinions. So pull up a chair and get his two cents -- and give him your two cents, as well.
E-mail Tom Jones:
MATT GROTHE FOR HEISMAN!
Posted by: Matt Grothe for Heisman! | October 17, 2007 at 10:00 AM
This is getting ridiculous.
Matt Grothe didn't beat Auburn - his defense did. Tim Tebow didn't lost to Auburn - his defense did. To even try to compare the two is absolutely ridiculous and worthy of yet another stupid picture of you with your hands on your cheeks. Andre Woodson "struggled" vs. LSU but still scored four times. His line vs. South Carolina was still better than Grothe's whopping average, which would be Gradkowski-esque without the Elon and UCF games.
Thankfully all this silliness should be over come Thursday evening.
Posted by: | October 17, 2007 at 11:16 AM
All of the seats are full on the USF bandwagon. When they come down from this high I wonder how many people will still be going to the USF games.
Posted by: | October 17, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Grothe has been pretty mediocre this year up until the UCF game. If a Bull were going to get Heisman buzz this year it should be Selvie. However, if Grothe and the offense start playing like they did last week at UCF and last year in general, THEN you can make a really good case for Grothe because if he plays that well there's a good chance USF will be in the NC game.
Posted by: Jon | October 17, 2007 at 02:06 PM
As a Bulls fan, I've got to admit that this is pretty funny stuff. Grothe isn't even the best QB in Florida. Let's look at the QB ratings for the "Big 4" in the state thus far - Tebow 173.05, Wright 145.81, Grothe 124.14, Weatherford 119.13. Grothe is barely grading out better than Drew Weatherford and he hasn't even got to the heart of the Big East schedule. We still must face Rutgers, Cincy and UConn's defenses. If it wasn't for Wally Burnham's defense, we would not be ranked #2. How about some love for Moffitt, Selvie, Jenkins and all the guys on D.
Posted by: Bulls Fan | October 17, 2007 at 02:39 PM
USF should win out. West Virginia was the ONLY other Big Least team even potentially capable of holding a national ranking(although #5 was a bit ludicrous). Probably Hawaii will be their opponent in the BCS Championship. To disrespect Hawaii's opponents as you tout Grothe for Heisman is the ultimate "pot calling the kettle black".
Posted by: jeff | October 17, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Listen buddy, Grothe is overated, and so are the Bulls. You really need to work on your arguments. USF's defense is why they are winning. Auburn couldn't hold onto the ball at all in their game against the Bulls . Back to Grothe, just over 1100 yards passing this far into the season are not Heisman worthy numbers. I don't even think he is the best quarterback in the Big East. I would take Ben Mauck(Cincinatti)or Mike Teel(Rutgers)over Grothe any day. Get off the bandwagon and back to reality. You are in for a rude awakening Thursday night. By the way, two touchdowns against Elon...weak. A division 1AA quarterback could do better.
Posted by: Andy | October 17, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Wow, the Gator fans are feeling a threat. Winners win. That is all anyone needs to know about Grothe.
The defense has been huge, but saying they are the reason we beat Auburn may be a stretch. The offense jumped out to a 14-0 lead, and didn't cough up the ball even once.
I agree that Grothe hasn't been stellar up until last week, but he has been good enough to win. Throw your SEC schedule at me if you want, all I can say is War Eagle.
As for WVU...I think they beat any SEC team any day except for maybe LSU. They will not lose another game this year, and will likely get a shot to prove me right in a BCS game.
Will USF win out? I don't know, but don't be a hater. Does Grothe deserve the heisman? No. If we win 6 more games, should he be in the conversations? Yes.
Posted by: Adam | October 17, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Adam,
How do you know it's Gator Fans? Just hate them that much to blame everything on them?
Posted by: Tampabaysportsfanatic | October 17, 2007 at 03:52 PM
You are so far off base on this one. Yes, a USF player should win the Heisman and his name is George Selvie. He leads nationally in three statistical categories. Also, no offensive player has distinguished himself so far this season.
Posted by: wiggy | October 17, 2007 at 06:33 PM
"Wow, the Gator fans are feeling a threat. Winners win. That is all anyone needs to know about Grothe."
This is why people are turning against USF - not because of the team, the players or the ranking, but the suddenly arrogant fans who think they have a right to talk smack. Have a history of winning and then you can talk about it knowledgeably.
Posted by: | October 17, 2007 at 06:45 PM
I don't think we should be arrogant, but the Gators don't have anything to be arrogant about either, this year. I think it is amazing that when you consider that USF was not getting the "top" talent coming here: they would go to Florida, FSU and Miami. However, they have managed to be undefeated after playing 2 top 25 teams, and beat a team that beat the Gators. I think that is saying a lot about the coaching and the heart of the players.
The defense is great (not good), Selvie is amazing: I would love to see him on the Bucs in a few years. Grothe plays with a lot of heart: at this point should he win the Heisman? No, but considering that Pat White and Slayton were on the list, I would say that Grothe has as much reason as anyone to be on the ballot. If they win out, and he keeps playing like he did against UCF, he deserves to be a serious candidate.
Sorry, Gators, but you had the chance to be on top, but by losing 2 games, you did not come through. So far, the Bulls have come through, doing more than anyone ever expected. If they had a different name, with the schedule they have played and the results they have had, they would be listed at nuber 1 right now.
Do I think they are the best (most talented) team in college football: no. But I think they have something really special going, and they are winning, while the elite teams have lost one or two games (other than Ohio State, who has an easier schedule than USF).
Posted by: Lisa | October 17, 2007 at 08:15 PM
Adam, congrats, you are the most idiotic of all the USF bandwagon jumpers. All I can say is War Eagle!?All I can say is Elon Phoenix. Yeah, the Bulls won by 15.Then, last weekend they beat UCF by 52. Congrats, you are not the first team to blow out UCF and beat some crappy division 1AA team nobody has ever heard of. I have to break it to you, the ride is almost over. All I can say now is Rutgers!
Posted by: | October 17, 2007 at 11:04 PM
USF fans, I think you are forgetting who the defending national champion is. In football. And in basketball. When was the last time you won a basketball game? Congratulations you are number 2 halfway through the season. Although if Florida played USF right now at RayJay UF would be a major favorite. Florida feels zero threat from USF. USF is a commuter school with zero athletic history. Why would a good recruit pick USF over UF? Playing time maybe...perhaps because they can only qualify at USF? Maybe because they want to play in front of half empty stadiums? Tom Jones is just being a homer and pandering to the bandwagon fans. There is no way he is that dumb. He uses an argument for Grothe with one guy then uses the same argument against another player. He is just being a homer. No harm no foul.
Posted by: Matt | October 18, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Matt Grothe is a poor man's Tim Tebow. He would never see the field at UF. Cam Newton is much better than Grothe.
Posted by: | October 18, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Man all the Gator fans are on USF's blog, what does that tell you?
Posted by: Rob | October 18, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Isn't it funny that players that would never see the field in Florida are seeing the field in USF and are winning against teams that have beaten Florida? Sure, last year the Gators were champs, but this year they have already lost twice, and one of those losses was to a team that USF beat. I don't know if they went head to head who would win, and chances are we won't know. But I do know that to this point, USF has taken care of their business and UF has not. End of story.
Posted by: Lisa | October 18, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Mississippi State beat Auburn by more points than USF, and without overtime. Guess that means Miss St is better than USF.
Posted by: | October 18, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Why is there so much animosity from USF fans towards the Gators? Most Gator fans have been pulling for you guys to succeed and would like to see you progress past our rival FSU as they continue to fall. This hatred and USF's arrogance is what is turning, not only UF fans, but fans of other teams against your program and then you complain that no one respects you. Wonder Why? Let’s just wait and see how the season plays out. National Champs and Heisman Winners aren’t crowned after 6 games.
Posted by: Tim | October 18, 2007 at 10:13 AM
From what I have seen and from my own perspective, I have wanted the Gators to succeed but I still root more for my team, which is the Bulls. However, since USF has gone up above the Gators in the polls, all I have seen from the Gators fans are posts putting down USF, saying they don't belong there, that the Gators are better, etc. That is where I see the animosity coming from, and that is why I am writing that the teams have decided where they are in the rankings with their play on the field. If USF were to remain undefeated throughout the year, considering their strenght of schedule and their wins, I believe they should be in the National Championship. I do get fed up with fans from the well known teams going on about them not deserving to be there even if they win out, etc.
Let the play on the field decide where they are ranked, and not the reputation of the program.
Posted by: Lisa | October 18, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I will also add that if they do lose, I know they won't be in the National Championship, and they wouldn't deserve to be there unless the other big teams start to have 2 losses and they only have one. Whatever happens, they are playing great, with a lot of heart, and I am proud of my team. I won't put down other teams, but I certainly do get tired of the constant attacks on the program by the so called "elite" teams.
Posted by: Lisa | October 18, 2007 at 10:36 AM
"Man all the Gator fans are on USF's blog, what does that tell you?"
Several posting UF fans do not constitute all of the fanbase. I think the real question is, how large will USF's fanbase be if they lose tonight: equal to or less than the amount of USF fans posting on this particular topic.
My money is on the latter. Go Bulls and Go Leavitt, but you bandwagoners (and that includes the Times - nice to see you finally started giving the Bulls more than a token paragraph but national title scenarios during WEEK 6??) can go jump off the Skyway for all I care.
Then again, this is the city who was comparing Carnell Williams to Walter Payton in the third week of 2005.
Posted by: | October 18, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Wow, Gator-Nation is hurting. Too bad UF doesn't want to play USF. Probably because UF know's they won't win. USF will play UM in 2009. Bring it on, UF. We aren't afraid of you.
I have always said Tampa area fans are the worst fans. There are too many transplants in the area to have any type of loyalty to a "home team". I don't see any Giants, Packers, Eagles, Jets, etc jerseys anymore. All the fans of those teams jumped on the Bucs bandwagon. Yet all the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Braves, etc fans say, "I root for the Rays when they don't play my favorite team". I wonder what will happen when the Rays start winning (don't say it won't happen, the Bucs, Lightning, and now Bulls have winning programs).
As for the jerk that brought up basketball, come on. Get a life. You were the little brother that always tattled on his older brother. Grow up. Everyone in Tampa knew the move to the Big East would help the football program skyrocket, and help the other sports plumment. But lets face it, football is the only sport anyway. When defining your high school, nobody says, Oh, you went there? That school's swim team was awsome!
Let Bulls fans be boastful. We are number 2 in the nation. UF will have their moment again. Right now, it is the Bulls turn. GO USF!
Posted by: Winston | October 18, 2007 at 02:48 PM
"Wow, Gator-Nation is hurting. Too bad UF doesn't want to play USF. Probably because UF know's they won't win. USF will play UM in 2009. Bring it on, UF. We aren't afraid of you."
South Florida comes to The Swamp in 2009 also. Careful what you wish for.
Posted by: | October 18, 2007 at 03:13 PM
You better start thinking of excuses now then, pal.
Posted by: Winston | October 18, 2007 at 05:01 PM
By the way, we travel to UF in 2010. I also noticed UF is not coming to Tampa. Why is that?
Posted by: Winston | October 18, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Finish an entire season undefeated and maybe, just maybe, you might have enough clout to talk about beating the big boys. Gator fans may be arrogant but they have the trophies to back it up. What do you have at this point besides a Meineke Car Care Bowl trophy? Yeah, I thought so.
USF didn't agree to a home and home. It goes both ways.
Posted by: Jeff | October 18, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Winston typifies the "fans" who leave so many people in this town with a sour taste in their mouths. It's one thing to support your team but to start mouthing off (in the middle of the season, no less) to fans of tradition rich teams such as UF, FSU, OSU, OU, LSU and the like is preposterous. Worry about finishing your grueling Big East schedule and be glad you don't have to play in the SEC.
If USF loses tonight, I am sure Fan Attic will be happy to accept an in-store exchange so you "devoted" fans can get your orange and blue back. What a pathetic bandwagon town this is.
Posted by: Shirley Dawson | October 18, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Time to jump off the bandwagon USF fans and time for the Times to go back to its noncoverage of USF sports.
USF if you want other state schools to support you, like UF did, then perhaps you should learn the game and your place in it. If you work your way up, you get respect.If you think you've become a dynasty because you started 6-0 then you are going to here a lot of OVER-RATED chants while we laugh. Once you earn it, you get your props. So far, you've done nothing. Win the Big East first a few times to gain some national respect.
Posted by: Matt | October 19, 2007 at 02:39 AM
Winston,
You guys were supposed to come play UF this year, but backed out after you saw what we did to UCF. The reason we don't come down to Ray Jay is becuase you guys wanted the exposure of playing a great team so we gave it to you. Obviously no one thought that the Bulls would be ranked this high, so now they didn't really need the exposure and could most likely get the home at home. I guess they should have waited a year to make the deal.
Posted by: Tampabaysportsfanatic | October 19, 2007 at 10:36 AM