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Scripps Howard News Service
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
After a two-week absence, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden returned to the top spot in this week's Scripps Howard Heisman Trophy poll.
It is the closest voting of the season in the fluid race, in which three defensive players earned votes. Last week's leader, Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, plummeted all the way out of the poll, receiving no votes after the Wildcats lost, 38-23, at South Carolina last Thursday night.
Second to Woodson last week, McFadden somehow jumped to first despite a somewhat ordinary effort (122 yards rushing, 1 TD) in Arkansas' 34-15 win over Division I-AA Chattanooga. Boston College QB Matt Ryan moved up three spots to second.
Compiled by The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, the Scripps poll is the longest-running weekly Heisman poll in the country, in its 21st year. The final poll taken in December correctly has predicted the Heisman winner 17 of the previous 20 seasons.
There are 10 voters, all college football writers and two from each voting region, who vote for five players each week. The tabulations are made on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with first place receiving five points, second four, etc. First-place votes are in parentheses.
This week's poll, with statistics from last week:
Name, Position, School, Last week, Points.
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas, 25 rushes, 122 yards, TD, 35, (5).
2. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston Col., 24-of-32, 312 yards, 4 TDs, 32, (3).
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida, 12-of-26, 158 yards., 2 TDs; 67 yds. rush, 29, (1).
4. Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri, 33-of-47, 401 yards, 2 TDs, TD run, 16.
5. DeSean Jackson, WR, California, Did not play 15 (1).
Others receiving votes: Mike Hart (RB, Michigan) 5; Glenn Dorsey (DL, Louisiana State) 4; Graham Harrell (QB, Texas Tech) 4; Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville) 2; Dennis Dixon (QB, Oregon) 2; Ali Highsmith (LB, LSU) 2; Pat White (QB, West Virginia) 2; Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) 1; James Laurinaitis (LB, Ohio State) 1.
Voters: Wendell Barnhouse (Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Kirk Bohls (Austin American-Statesman); Dennis Dodd (CBSSports.com); Vahe Gregorian (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Mike Griffith (Knoxville News-Sentinel); Randy Holtz (Rocky Mountain News); Michael Lewis (Salt Lake Tribune); Tom Luicci (Newark Star-Ledger); Dana O'Neil (Philadelphia Daily News); and John Rohde (The Oklahoman).
