West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith continues to lead the USA TODAY Sports Media Group Heisman survey.
But a challenger is emerging from a school that can’t win its conference or the BCS championship this year, which could lead to questions about what voters might think about how the winner of the award should be chosen.
The survey tracks 35 official Heisman voters affiliated with USA TODAY Sports or other Gannett newspapers throughout the country. Smith received all 35 first-place votes this week for 105 points after helping the Mountaineers to their first road win in the Big 12 at Texas.
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller moved into second place in our sample this week after the Buckeyes’ 63-38 drubbing of Nebraska. Miller was named second on 18 ballots and third on seven for 43 points.
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is third with 29 points. Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, the only defensive player to get points this week, is fourth with 16.
Ohio State is on NCAA probation this year, banned from accepting a bowl bid, ineligible for the Big Ten championship and unable to receive votes in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes (6-0) are eighth in the Associated Press media poll, and their sanctions do not include a television ban.
Miller took advantage of the prime-time spotlight against the Cornhuskers Saturday night. He accumulated 313 yards of total offense, throwing for a score and running for another.
Most Heisman voters are of the opinion that the team’s NCAA situation shouldn’t affect his Heisman chances.
“If he is the best player in college football, he should be recognized as such,” says Scott Ferrell of the Shreveport (La.) Times. “Besides, he wasn’t what got Ohio State on probation.”
Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp says Miller’s consideration for the award gives the Buckeyes additional incentive this season.
“Miller’s Heisman candidacy becomes Ohio State’s bowl game. It becomes their motivation for finding a shred of sunlight from beyond the dark clouds,” he says.
There are precedents.
Houston quarterback Andre Ware won the Heisman in 1989 when the Cougars were not only on NCAA probation but also barred from appearing on television. Ware edged Indiana running back Anthony Thompson by 70 points. Finishing third was Major Harris, the quarterback at West Virginia.
Southern California running back Reggie Bush was voted the winner in 2005, but he was later found by the NCAA to have received impermissible extra benefits while playing for the Trojans. The award was vacated by the Heisman Trust in September 2010.
But Mark Snyder, also of the Free Press, says that case has nothing to do with Miller: “First of all, he wasn’t a part of the violations. Second, it doesn’t affect his games in any way. He’s still playing a full Big Ten schedule (even if not in the title game).”
