Handicapping unfair Heisman race

By JOHN ROHDE
The fairest way to begin any race is at the starting line.

Everybody lines up side by side. Mark, set, go.

The race for the Heisman Trophy doesn't work that way.

Every year, recognized players from recognized schools get a head start. Quarterbacks and running backs almost always are given the early lead, with an occasional wide receiver/return specialist a few steps behind.

To win the race, these leaders must prove themselves weekly, fully exposed to the 900-plus voters.

Those in the back of the pack have zero chance of hauling in a Heisman. Most players don't even get to enter the race.

An offensive or defensive tackle might be the best college player, but he'll never win a Heisman.

This preseason, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith were given the biggest head starts.

Seeing how December will mark the 20th time I've filled out a Heisman ballot, I figured I had better start being fair about the process. So this year I've put everyone at the same starting line.

In the eyes of many (mine included), Peterson is the nation's best college player. Usually, that's enough to win the Heisman, barring injury or team disaster.

Peterson might indeed become the Sooners' fifth Heisman winner and the school will have to make room for another statue in Heisman Park.

But to me, Peterson is going to have to earn the Heisman from scratch. And the Sooners' 6-2, 218-pound Adonis could be pressed to outdo a 5-foot-7, 177-pound powder keg from DeKalb, Ill.

It's early, but Peterson already has some catching up to do. In his season opener at home against Alabama-Birmingham, Peterson amassed 208 total yards _ 139 rushing; 69 receiving.

Northern Illinois senior running back Garrett Wolfe had 285 total yards _ 171 rushing, 114 receiving _ in The Horseshoe against the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

Mid-American Conference teams no doubt are in trouble when they face Wolfe. But Wolfe did this against Ohio State, not Ohio U.

Wolfe should be recognized, which is why I voted him atop this week's Scripps Howard Heisman poll conducted by the Rocky Mountain News, followed by Smith, Peterson, Auburn's Kenny Irons and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson.

Wolfe held his own against the two Heisman candidates on the opposing sideline. Smith completed 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Buckeyes receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr. had four receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

"You don't think our guys got a bit toughened trying to tackle a Garrett Wolfe?" Ohio State coach Jim Tressell said. "He is an excellent college football player."

Wolfe had burned Big Ten opponents last season, rushing for 148 yards against Michigan and for 248 yards and three touchdowns the next week against Northwestern.

Wolfe's season-opening performance against the Buckeyes will not fade in stature, but Peterson's could.

For Peterson's performance to gain any merit, UAB's rush defense had better be stout the remainder of the season.

Advantage Wolfe. For now.

Wolfe is hardly an unknown. He and Peterson were roommates last spring for the Playboy All-American photo shoot in Phoenix and became friends. Wolfe was even spotted on campus wearing an OU shirt Peterson had given him.

Fellow All-Americans said they had seen Wolfe play on television and were impressed. "It wasn't like I was the little brother from the small conference. It was like I belonged," Wolfe said.

Like Peterson, Wolfe has battled injuries and is tough as nails. Nine times last season Wolfe's shoulder popped out of place and nine times it was popped back in so he could return to the game. (He had shoulder surgery after the season.)

Wolfe is the nation's leading active rusher with 3,407 career yards, which is 235 yards ahead of Peterson.

Wolfe has amassed his total in just 21 games (a 162.2-yard average) while Peterson has his in 25 games (126.9).

Wolfe figures to roll up huge numbers in upcoming games against Ohio, Buffalo, Indiana State, Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Western Michigan and Temple.

On Oct. 28, Northern Illinois plays at Iowa.

If Wolfe runs wild the next seven games and then victimizes another Big Ten opponent, he'll be impossible to ignore for the Heisman.

"Our guys have about one chance in hell of getting that award because we're in the Mid-American Conference _ right, wrong or indifferent," NIU coach Joe Novak said.

So far, however, Wolfe has one hell of a chance.