Heisman Watch: Oct. 20

By Nate Sandstrom

Due to my work schedule I've never watched fewer college games than I have in the current season. So maybe that's why it seems there has been less Heisman talk that usual.

Before sophomore Alabama RB Mark Ingram's showcase game on Saturday night, I couldn't have told you who was the favorite, but in case you're interested, here's a round-up of some preliminary polling.

• At Heisman Pundit, Ingram, the nation's #4 ypg rusher, has a narrow lead over Florida senior QB Tim Tebow in a two-man race.

• A similar tight race at the top of the ESPN poll, though Notre Dame Jr. QB Jimmy Clausen is running a slightly closer third (don't ask me how Clausen is #3).

• Look for an updated Heisman Watch from USA Today tomorrow; though don't expect a result that's much difference.

Those who've followed my personal preferences for Heisman candidates over the years know I love stat stuffers (think Jordy Nelson, Michael Crabtree, Kevin Smith) as much as most voters like winning QB's, so here are a few guys I'd ask you to make note of:

• Chris Owusu, Soph., WR/KR, Stanford. Owusu is averaging more than 23 yards a play each time he touches the ball, including 3 kick return touchdowns. Not that he's purely a special teams guy, he's topped 80 yards receiving and hauled in a pass TD in the past two games at Oregon State and at Arizona.

• Freddie Barnes, Sr., WR, Bowling Green. In the past two weeks Barnes has posted 32 catches for 438 yards and 6 TDs! Unfortunately, those big performances have come against Kent State and Ball State. Against Missouri and Boise he was held out of the end zone with 14 catches for 94 yards, though he did score twice in BG's opening Thursday upset of Troy. Barnes is not a legit Heisman candidate because of his performance against the toughest team on the schedule, but after reaching 85-882-8 in six games, his year is worth watching.

• O'Brien Schofield, Sr., DE, Wisconsin. O'Brien Schofield told a Madison reporter that he can't be blocked, and after watching his performance against Iowa, one of the best OL's in the country, he is about right (2 TFLs and a fum rec). Schofield has helped make the Badgers D the best it's been since the 12-1 2006 team. Along the way he's made a nation-leading 16.5 TFL (-82 yards) as well as notching 6.5 sacks. Defensive players have a tough time winning the Heisman, especially on a team bound to lose 3-4 games, but make sure you have a chance to watch Schofield before the year's end.

Nate's NFL Power Rankings: Post-Week 6

It's probably happened before, but I can't recall a season where the difference between the top and bottom teams are so wide. It seems there's at least two double-digit spreads each weekend; and this week, for example, four road teams are favored by a touchdown or more.

Rankings like these are of course pretty worthless in October; for example, my rankings at this time last year had Washington, Buffalo and Tampa in the Top 6.

The exercise has however taught me that the Redskins are good for one thing — deciding which of the worst teams are worser.

1. New Orleans (5-0). Giant thrashing earns them top spot.
2. Minnesota (6-0). Vikings are running with the Twins' Metrodome magic.
3. Indianapolis (5-0). Have won 14 straight in the regular season.
4. Denver (6-0). Mike Nolan has created a dominant defense.
5. New England (4-2). Back to the 59-0 scores that made them gamblers' favorites.
6. N.Y. Giants (5-1). Bad loss, but it's early.
7. Atlanta (4-1). Best start in franchise history.
8. Green Bay (3-2). Aaron Rogers may be MVP playing behind this O-Line.
9. Chicago (3-2). Any WSCR callers want Orton back? Too late.
10. Cincinnati (4-2). Next three could make year: @ Chi, Bal, @ Pit.
11. Pittsburgh (4-2). Favored to knock of Vikes this weekend.
12. Baltimore (3-3). Acting a little TOO calm during L streak for my liking.
13. Dallas (3-2). Two plays from 5-0.
14. San Francisco (3-2). Road test ahead @ Houston then @ Indy.
15. Arizona (3-2). Passing game still amazing.
16. N.Y. Jets (3-3). Season could go south quickly.
17. San Diego (2-3). Lowest I've had them in years.
18. Houston (3-3). Secondary likely keeps them out of playoffs.
19. Miami (2-3). Henne could still wind up best of Flacco-Ryan class.
20. Seattle (2-4). Hawks must cut down on costly turnovers (10 in six games).
21. Philadelphia (3-2). Wins are over Car, TB, KC. Wash next?
22. Jacksonville (3-3) Currently hold final spot in AFC playoff race.
23. Buffalo (2-4). Will Jets win spur a resurgance?
24. Carolina (2-3). Fire John Fox? Get real Panthers.
25. Oakland (2-4). Think I've picked Raiders wrong ATS every week but one.
26. Cleveland (1-5). That they are this high tells you how bad the worst are.
27. Kansas City (1-5). Beat 'Skins on the road.
28. Detroit (1-5). Beat 'Skins at home.
29. Tennessee (0-6). Don't get a chance to beat the 'Skins.
30. Washington (2-4). See above and below.
31. St. Louis (0-6). Lost to the 'Skins by 2.
32. Tampa Bay (0-6). Lost to the 'Skins by 3.

Mark's World

The NFL is changing and I don't like it. Call me an old fuddy duddy if you like. I don't care. The league is offense crazy. We all know the league tweaked the rules after the Patriots manhandled the Colts in the playoffs a few years ago. Now they have adjusted the rules to protect a magical orb surrounding quarterbacks knees. (I don't have any specific evidence, but I'm sure this really only applies to a certain few QBs)

I know there's nothing that can be done and the league is loving the offense, but does anyone else have the feeling that the NFL is going through what MLB went though when Sosa and McGwire and Bonds exploded? I'm not saying that there is obviously rampant steroids in the NFL. OK, there is obviously rampant steroids in the NFL. But I'm not blaming it for the offensive explosion. I'm blaming the refs and the league directive that pushes them to watch over defenses like a nagging girlfriend.

It just bothers me that just a few years ago elite QBs contending for the MVP were throwing maybe 30 TDs and now nobody is batting an eye at 40 TD seasons. I'm yawning every time I see a two-minute drill. Hell, if there's two minutes left in the game and the team with the ball is down by one score, I'm almost certain they're going to score.

With that said, here are a few rule changes I'd like to see implemented. Not all of them are directed at curing the viral offense, but its my blog and I don't have to make sense:

1) Holding on a running play should be 5 yards, not 10. I understand why holding on a passing play, which hypothetically prevents a sack is a 10 yard penalty. But rarely, if ever, would you see a running hold prevent a massive yardage loss

2) No penalty for hitting a QB's helmet. Maybe 5 yards, but not a 15 yarder/automatic first down. My problem with this rule is that I don't see the danger. At least with the Brady knee protection you can point to an instance that it took a player out. Every hands to the helmet of a QB I've ever seen has been incidental. Plus, the QB has a helmet. Plus, every other player on the field is getting their head knocked off. Besides, if there's a glaringly obvious punch to the head, you can still throw a roughing the passer penalty or a unsportsmanlike penalty.

3) There should never ever be a 1st and 5. It's just stupid. Move the ball five yards and leave it first and ten.

4) If an offense is backed up inside their own ten and commits a penalty like a personal foul, instead of just backing it up half the distance, they should add the missing yardage to the other end of the down. For instance, if you are on the five and commit a personal foul on 2nd and 10, it should become 3rd and 22.5. (I can't take full credit for this one. My coworker came up with it and I like it)