These are the picks for the 2004 season. Bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is only used to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
Numerically speaking, there's five finalists for the Heisman Trophy. But if history is a predictor, three are there for the trip to New York.
The two favorites are quarterbacks Matt Leinart of the University of Southern California and Jason White of Oklahoma. The other three, while worthy candidates, might not be considered as strongly for youth (sophmore all-purpose back Reggie Bush of USC and Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma) or level of competition (Alex Smith of Utah).
Many predict Leinart will win the award. If he does, he earned it win 2,990 yards passing with 28 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He put up those numbers with a very young group of players in the backfield, at wide out, and along the offensive line. Great numbers, but in his sophmore year, he posted 3,556 yards with 38 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He shouldn't win the Heisman because, with the exception of completion percentage, his numbers are down across the board.
The same is true for White, the 2003 Heisman winner. In all honesty, his chances of repeating were slim. Only Archie Griffin is a two-time Heisman winner. But if you compare White's '03 numbers (3,846 yds 40 TDs 10 Ints) to his '04 stats (2,961 yds 33 TDs 6 Int), it's hard to name him the best player in college football when he can't beat his accomplishments from last year.
Does this open the door for the youngsters to pull off an upset? Underclassmen have never won the Heisman But Bush and Peterson had seasons that put them in the running to make history.
Bush was a leader in all-purpose yards and has proven to be a threat running, receiving, and punt returning. Few running backs made as much of an impact out of the backfield as Bush did. He was able to catch either out of the backfield or split out wide. Plus he was a threat to take it all the way as a punt returner, something he did twice in '04. His versatility could sway voters. Michigan corner back Charles Woodson won the trophy because he played receiver and returned punts. But Woodson was maybe the best defender in college football that year. One thing for sure is Woodson was the corner in college that season. Bush is tremendous athlete, but not considered the best running back.
The best running back arguably is Peterson, the freshman phenomonon. He considered the reason why the Sooners remained undefeated this year and he made a convincing argument on the playing field. Much of his 1,843 yards came in the second half of games, when the team really needed his contributions. Of the under-dogs, Peterson might have the best chance of pulling of maybe the biggest upset in Heisman history.
The only person who could make it a bigger upset is Smith of Utah. Unfortunately because he played in the Mountain West Conference, critics say he played against lesser competition. Is it fair to hold that against him? Isn't the award about performance? If so, Smith deserves to win it as much as the other candidates. Besides stellar passing numbers that had him rated as the second most effecient passer in college football (2,624 yds 28 TD 6 Int), Smith showed a huge improvement from his sophmore year (2,247 yds 15 TD 5 Int). Yes, his passing numbers are a step behind White's and Leinart's, Smith more than makes up for it running. He was a dual threat in the unpredictable Utes offense, gaining 563 yards on the ground as scoring 10 TDs using his feet.
Personally speaking, I want Smith to win it. What conference a player plays in doesn't neccessarily mean he isn't as good a player as one that played in a major conference. Just look at players in the NFL. Minnesota receiver Randy Moss was preceeded by wide out Troy Brown in New England as highly productive graduates of the University of Marshall. Other notable Thundering Herdsmen are quarterbacks Chad Pennington of the New York Jets and Byron Leftwich of Jacksonville. Miami of Ohio Ben Roethlisberger likely will be the offensive rookie of the year for quarterbacking the Pittsburgh Steelers to 10 straight wins. Daunte Culpepper is proving Univerisity of Central Florida can produce more than just role players. Heck, Steve McNair was a league co-MVP out of D I-AA Alcorn State last year.
Smith could be the next great pro from a "lesser" conference. But first his must get through college, hopefully picking up some hardware along the way. If Smith doesn't win this one, all hope isn't lost. This is Smith's junior year. If he stays in school, there's always next year.
Oakland at Atlanta - W
Who did you vote for in your Pro Bowl ballot? I wanted to vote Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick in but didn't have a good enough reason to do so. There was no option to write him in as a running back. Vick's feet will be a huge factor as he scurries around and through Oakland defenders, leading the Falcons to the NFC South division title.
New York Giants at Baltimore - W
Didn't New York head coach Tom Coughlin declare the reason he made the change at quarterback was because he was trying to get into the playoffs? Does that mean Coughlin will replace Eli Manning with Jesse Palmer soon? The Ravens bury whoever is under center as well as the Giants team.
Cleveland at Buffalo - W
Interm Cleveland head coach Terry Robiskie didn't complain about New England scoring more when the game was well in hand. He said it is his and the players job to stop the opponents. They'll fail to make enough stops again as the Bills run it up on the Browns.
New Orleans at Dallas - W
Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells passed on Stephen Jackson, Chris Perry, and Kevin Jones before drafting Julius Jones. Now that Julius broke Dallas' rookie record for rushing yards in consecutive games, it proves that good things come to those who wait. N'Orleans didn't wait and took Deuce McAllister as a first rounder. He'll prove impatience pays too as he leads a Saints upset.
Detroit at Green Bay - W
How do you draw a positive from a game when down 44-3 after three quarters? At least the young back-up quarterback played well. Craig Nall won't replace Brett Favre as the starter, but he could see mop up duty as the Packers rock the Lions.
Indianapolis at Houston - W
Houston doesn't want to be the answer to a trivia question. Teams try their best not to give up records so they won't be footnotes. All the Texans have to do is not give up five touchdown passes to Indy's Peyton Manning. Houston can do it. If the run defense continues to suck, they might keep Manning from history, but won't keep the Colts from winning.
Chicago at Jacksonville - W
Before being signed by the Bears, quarterback Chad Hutchinson was surfing in California. While he had a smooth time gliding over Minnesota's defense, things will get gnarly in the Jacksonville waters. It won't be sharks, but Jaguars that get Hutchinson.
Seattle at Minnesota - W
The lead will change six times in the last two minutes as both teams do their best to lose the game. Last offense with the ball wins and that team will be the Seahawks.
Cincinnati at New England - W
On his last home game with Cincy, Patriots running back Corey Dillon threw his jersey and helmet into the crowd, symbolically ending his career with the Bengals. Now Dillon wants his jersey back. He's a throwback jersey connoisseur and his Bengals #28 is worth loot now. Dillon likes being a Pat and he and the Patriots blow up the Bengals.
Miami at Denver - W
Football analyst and former Bronco Shannon Sharpe does not know what Denver head coach Mike Shannahan sees in quarterback Jake Plummer. Sharpe wasn't completely malicious. He called Shannahan afterwards. The coach said they had a nice chat. And next week Sharpe will take Plummer out on a date. That will be to celebrate the Broncos' victory.
New York Jets at Pittsburgh - L
He sets a rookie record for wins by a quarterback, now he's pitching soup. When does he start dating Paris Hilton? Things are going great for Ben Roethlisberger. But the way the Steelers have been winning recently, might they slip? There won't be any soup for Roethlisberger and his Steelers as the Jets give big Ben a big L in the Upset of the Week.
San Francisco at Arizona - W
'Zona head coach Dennis Green was banking on the University of Michigan link that John Navarre would be better than scouts predicted. Elvis Grbac did OK and Tom Brady won two Super Bowls. Green consulted with someone to reach that conclusion. That same consultant also told Green to wear orange on Friday for luck and Jupiter's moon aligning with Pluto would put him in a bad mood. That happens on Sunday after the Cardinals fall to the 49ers.
St. Louis at Carolina - W
The Rams' playoff hopes are now in the hands of Chris "Crystal" Chandler now that quarterback Marc Bulger is on the shelf for up to two weeks. 'Lina's defense won't be gentle with the fragile Chandler as the Panthers rattle him and the Rams.
Tampa Bay at San Diego - L
Congrats to defensive end Simeon Rice on his 100th sack of his career as he took down Atlanta's elusive quarterback Michael Vick. Now it's all about trophies. Rice adds Chargers QB Drew Brees to his list of passers bagged in a Buccaneers win.
Philadelphia at Washington - W
There's good news and bad news for the Redskins. They have a good defense that should be able to keep them in the game. The bad news is they have an offense that will keep them from upsetting the Eagles.
Kansas City at Tennessee - Monday Night - L
Word is Titans quarterback Steve McNair is thinking about retirement. And who can blame him, considering the seemingly weekly aches and pains he suffered through during his career? At least it looks like Tennessee will be in good hands with Billy Volek. Whoever starts, they direct the Titans to a win.
Home | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 |
Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Wild Card | Divisionals | Conference
Championships