Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith has all but taken the suspense out of the Heisman Trophy race in the minds of many voters. But Lenn Robbins of the New York Post insists more than a dozen players are still in the running–and no one can accuse him of being uninformed.
When it comes to college football, Robbins says, “I’m one of those psychopaths who tapes everything.”
He says he’s watched Smith’s breathtaking touchdown pass against Penn State–where he scrambled near midfield and then hit Brian Robiskie on the numbers in the end zone–nearly 20 times.
“Troy Smith had a really tough time against Penn State,” Robbins says, “but he didn’t just make the play of the game, he made a play no one else can make.
“I’m still trying to figure out how he could roll left and unleash a slingshot like that. And Penn State is one of the 10 best defenses in the nation.”
But Robbins still intends to let the rest of the season unfold before he casts his vote.
“You could make a case for about 15 guys,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for 20-something years, and I haven’t been this excited about a Heisman race in years.”
Bruce Hooley of ESPN.com points to the 1999 race as evidence that opinions can shift dramatically.
Florida State receiver Peter Warrick appeared to be a lock to win the award until being caught shoplifting. He ended up finishing sixth in the balloting.
“A lot can change in a short time,” Hooley says.
But barring the unforeseen, Smith will remain the overwhelming favorite.
“Troy is like a [political] candidate running unopposed,” Hooley says.
When Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman is asked about the Heisman race, he says facetiously: “There’s a race?”
Watching Smith dissect hometown Texas was virtually all Bohls needed to see.
“If it ain’t over already, you could say there’s a formidable lead for Mr. Smith,” Bohls says. “I wouldn’t say he’s lapped the field, but with the injury to (Oklahoma running back) Adrian Peterson, he’s created separation in the race.”
But while lauding Smith for combining monstrous skills with a keen quarterback mind, Robbins still has a couple of Michigan players on his list and will wait to see how the current front-runner fares against the Wolverines.
“I don’t root for teams, but I’m waiting to see an undefeated Michigan play an undefeated Ohio State with a Big Ten title and a spot in the national championship game on the line,” Robbins says. “And that bronze trophy may end up on one side or the other that day.”
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