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Manziel Needs Unlikely Allies

Over the last few days, we've all seen (and tweeted) stats about how Johnny Manziel stacks up to Cam Newton and Tim Tebow in their Heisman campaigns. The problem is, Manziel isn't competing against Cam Newton and Tim Tebow. He's competing, mainly, against Collin Klein. The stellar, the efficient, the humble, the next-Tim-Tebow and most importantly, the undefeated, Collin Klein.

Johnny Manziel

If Johnny Manziel has a chance at the Heisman, he's going to need Texas or Baylor to knock off Kansas State.

There's no doubt that if all things were equal, Manziel should win the trophy over Klein. He has better numbers, over a tougher schedule, and has more “Heisman moments” than Klein. But all things aren't equal because Manziel has losses.

Collin Klein has had off games. After all, last week against TCU Klein managed just 195 yards of total offense, fewer than Manziel had in the first half against then-top-ranked Alabama. He averaged 6.9 yards per pass attempt and 3.3 yards per rush attempt. Manziel averaged 8.2 yards per pass and 5.1 yards per rush, against Alabama.

But, as I've said all season, the Heisman isn't about the numbers. Yes, you have to have the numbers to back up your candidacy, but numbers don't win it. Moments can win it, but mostly, wins win it. Manziel has a signature win at Alabama, but Klein's team is undefeated. That's the only stat that really matters right now because unless Kansas State loses or something extremely bizarre happens, Collin Klein is going to win the Heisman.

That's why Manziel's Heisman hopes, ironically, rest with the most tenuous of allies, the defenses of Baylor and Texas. Kansas State has just two opponents left on the schedule, and they're the ones that would least like to see the Aggies have a Heisman winner.

First is Baylor, where Klein is more likely to win the Heisman by setting an NCAA total yardage record than he is to lose it. The Bears have the nation's worst defense, but perhaps Baylor can “rise up” and save their otherwise dismal season. This game is in primetime on Saturday on ESPN, so the whole nation will be watching if Baylor can challenge the Wildcats.

The real game to watch is going to be Kansas State's final test of the season, and it couldn't be a more perfect one. With players like Peter Jenkins, Malcom Brown, Cedric Reed, Dalton Santos and other familiar names to Aggie fans, the Texas Longhorns are probably going to be Manziel's best chance at the trophy.

The Longhorn defense hasn't been particularly good this season, but they do have some athletes on the defensive side of the ball that could test Klein. After all, Klein has only faced a couple of good defenses this year.

The other reason this game is going to make or break the Heisman race is that it comes in the final week of the season. A&M's final game is next week in primetime against Missouri, where Manziel will have his final chance to show the nation why he should win. But Klein will get to respond the next weekend, when the other major conferences have their championship games.

If Klein falters on that stage, then perhaps Manziel could have a chance to become the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy. If he doesn't then all of the stats in the world aren't going to matter because despite Manziel's record breaking numbers, he'll have one thing Klein won't, losses.

Aubrey Bloom

    • "Despite all of the stats, what matters is that Manziel has one thing Collin Klein doesn't, losses."

      Geesh, Aubrey. Really didn't need to put it that way.

      Sin Miedo

    • You know what manziel has that collin klein doesn't? Three more years

      kilrain

    • Haha, just trying to frame this argument the right way. The Heisman is what it is.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • kilrain said...

      You know what manziel has that collin klein doesn't? Three more years

      That's part of the problem for Manziel's chances.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Aubrey Bloom said...

      That's part of the problem for Manziel's chances.

      True. My point is that regardless of this outcome, he's got a bright future. He's at least got to be one of the favorites going into next year, and he's put himself in a great position to possibly win it multiple times

      kilrain

    • Poor form Bloom. You don't need to fall into the safety of traditional views and perceptions of freshmen overcoming the wall of winning the Heisman. You need to look at the stats and the things you mentioned and say why it will be a travesty to not vote for Johnny for Heisman. Johnny doesn't need any favors of losses handed to K State, Johnny needs people saying he will win it, bringing the facts to the table and saying there is a chance, he deserves it, and should win it, regardless of losses, mistakes, or the academic classification.

      Be bold Bloom, what's the quote, head up, tits to the sky...

      ChallengerAg

    • kilrain said...

      True. My point is that regardless of this outcome, he's got a bright future. He's at least got to be one of the favorites going into next year, and he's put himself in a great position to possibly win it multiple times

      I'm not sure anyone can win it multiple times these days, but maybe. My point with this is that there's really no reason to go off the rails about the numbers because unless Klein loses it's not going to matter.

      Also, fans might point to RG3 but that was an extremely rare case where the teams playing for the BCS Championship had basically no offensive weapons and his numbers were LIGHT YEARS better than everyone else in contention.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Aubrey Bloom said...

      Haha, just trying to frame this argument the right way. The Heisman is what it is.

      Bruce Feldman is arguing on Finebaum that he doesn't think JFF needs Klein to lose. Join the Revolution, Aubry! lynchmob

      Sin Miedo

    • ChallengerAg said...

      Poor form Bloom. You don't need to fall into the safety of traditional views and perceptions of freshmen overcoming the wall of winning the Heisman. You need to look at the stats and the things you mentioned and say why it will be a travesty to not vote for Johnny for Heisman. Johnny doesn't need any favors of losses handed to K State, Johnny needs people saying he will win it, bringing the facts to the table and saying there is a chance, he deserves it, and should win it, regardless of losses, mistakes, or the academic classification.

      Be bold Bloom, what's the quote, head up, tits to the sky...

      There's plenty of people doing that, I'm trying to keep things realistic. If fans really want to know what it's going to take for Manziel to win, this is what it's going to take.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Technically speaking they don't necessarily need K-State to lose. I suppose Klein could just be absolutely horrible in these next two games and State could still win, but I don't really see that happening.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Its Johnny's to lose at this point

      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A7xC840CMAA83XJ.jpg

      CoachCharlie ●

    • See, this just goes to show how dumb the Heisman selection process is. Wy do team wins and losses even matter? It is a prize for THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NATION. I'm not sure that has been Klein. Was Baylor undefeated last year? RGIII was the best player, but Baylor was not the best team. Johnny has been a better player all year than Klein.

      Also, why does being a freshman even matter? There is absolutely no guarantee Johnny will have another season like this. I believe he will, but there is no guarantee. You give it to the best player for having the best season. If that is a freshman, so be it.

      Based on the above, if we're being honest here, this should really be a competition between Johnny and Marquis Lee. If I had a Heisman ballot, I'm not sure I'd even have Klein in the top three. It'd look like this:

      Johnny
      Lee
      Barner
      Klein
      (5th place?)

      Maybe I'd have Teo in 5th. Maybe even a guy like Colby Cameron or Mariotta.

      This post was edited by JeffAggie04 on 11/15/2012 at 3:22 PM

      JeffAggie04 ●

    • ChallengerAg said...

      Poor form Bloom. You don't need to fall into the safety of traditional views and perceptions of freshmen overcoming the wall of winning the Heisman. You need to look at the stats and the things you mentioned and say why it will be a travesty to not vote for Johnny for Heisman. Johnny doesn't need any favors of losses handed to K State, Johnny needs people saying he will win it, bringing the facts to the table and saying there is a chance, he deserves it, and should win it, regardless of losses, mistakes, or the academic classification.

      Be bold Bloom, what's the quote, head up, tits to the sky...

      Great post. Excellent points.

      JeffAggie04 ●

    • I am looking back a long time, and I know the Heisman hasn't gone to the BEST player every time....but my God. Klein would be BY FAR AND AWAY the most average of pedestrian football players to ever even be mentioned for it. It is really a sad statement for college football as a whole if you can't find a better player to give it to. I understand that they want to give it to anyone but the freshman, but Christ at least have the decency to give it to Barner or Lee, or even Manti T or someone with elite skills at his position. I have seen guys win it that were great college players but not great pro players, but Klein is not even that. If he was on our roster he would have to transfer to Sam because we have freshmen that are ahead of him at the beginning of their careers. He would have sat behind Jerrod, Tannehill, and Johnny, his entire career. I would say Baylor, WV, and Tech all have better quarterbacks than him, and thats just in his conference. What the hell are these people trying to do to their trophy? make it a joke? Talk about diluting it, Surely they will think about it instead of just reading media articles before casting a vote. I know my tone sounds sarcastic but I am serious, Im tempted to start a campaign to save the heisman trophy by giving it to somone besides Klein. Im seriously on the edge of not believing this is happening. haha

      This post was edited by QB97 on 11/15/2012 at 3:21 PM

      QB97 ●

    • The fact is that wins and losses shouldn't matter, but they do. I would also vote for Manziel if I had a vote, but I don't.

      But you bring up a good one, Colby Cameron is a guy who's being completely left out but deserves to be in the discussion. He's had an incredible season.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Aubrey Bloom said...

      I'm not sure anyone can win it multiple times these days, but maybe. My point with this is that there's really no reason to go off the rails about the numbers because unless Klein loses it's not going to matter.

      Also, fans might point to RG3 but that was an extremely rare case where the teams playing for the BCS Championship had basically no offensive weapons and his numbers were LIGHT YEARS better than everyone else in contention.

      Disagree

      This post was edited by JeffAggie04 on 11/15/2012 at 3:23 PM

      JeffAggie04 ●

    • haha a realist. Thats what everyone was expecting a loss going into Bama last weekend and expecting a mediocre season at best. We need a visionary. A realist doesn't look at a giant scoobie doo costume and say "that's probably a good idea to wear that."

      Just giving you a hard time.

      ChallengerAg

    • Archie Griffin won it twice like 50 years ago, but he's the only one.

      Aubrey Bloom

    • Andrew Luck was expected to win it last year and had the numbers to back it up. Thy did have a loss though.

      BushAggie

    • ChallengerAg said...

      haha a realist. Thats what everyone was expecting a loss going into Bama last weekend and expecting a mediocre season at best. We need a visionary. A realist doesn't look at a giant scoobie doo costume and say "that's probably a good idea to wear that."

      Just giving you a hard time.

      Haha, also, for the record, my season prediction was better than Hamm's in the preseason, and my Bama predictions were dead on. Don't hate! rockon

      Aubrey Bloom

    • I think Boyd is left out , but if you have watched that guy alot. He is what makes clemson go. I know they have alot of weapons, but that kid makes some throws that make you say WOW. To see him play like he has for the last 2 years and get over looked for a Collin Klein? its unfathomable. THey seriously may need to think about who gets a vote in this thing.

      This post was edited by QB97 on 11/15/2012 at 3:24 PM

      QB97 ●

    • RGIII did just fine with THREE losses.

      BirdAg ●

    • QB97 said...

      I think Boyd is left out , but if you have watched that guy alot. He is what makes clemson go. I know they have alot of weapons, but that kid makes some throws that make you say WOW. To see him play like he has for the last 2 years and get over looked for a Collin Klein? its unfathomable. THey seriously may need to think about who gets a vote in this thing.

      Boyd is another good one. This is why it's laughable that Teo is a candidate.

      JeffAggie04 ●

    • Who expected us to be leading the SEC in nearly every rushing category this season?

      http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/stats/byteam?cat1=offense&cat2=Rushing&sort=508&conference=I-A_SEC&year=2012

      CoachCharlie ●

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