close
NCAASlider

ALOST’s Coll. Football Top 25 (Week 10)

The 1997 edition between Ohio State and Michigan was the springboard for defensive back Charles Woodson to head to the top of the Heisman Trophy list. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)
The 1997 edition of The Game (Ohio State-Michigan) was the springboard for defensive back Charles Woodson to leap to the top of the Heisman Trophy list. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

Welcome to November, the month where Heisman Trophy winners are made.

As much as each game in a college football regular season counts the same for a team and its Heisman Trophy candidate(s), the magnitude rises to a whole different level once the calendar turns to the last full month of the regular season. The hopes of Heisman aspirants can disappear just as much as they can flourish when the stakes dealing with individual trophies, rivalries, bowl positioning and national championships are at its highest. As far as this season is concerned, we have already seen great performances on big stages by some of these leading men — Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Florida State signal-caller Jameis Winston leading the way. With Mariota’s Ducks taking on Stanford next week and Winston’s Seminoles playing fellow undefeated Miami this Saturday, along with other candidates playing big games this month, the stage is set for the emergence of college football’s new Mr. November.

A trip down memory lane provides college football fans the chance to remember some of the most notable November performances by Heisman Trophy winners past. Here is our best-of-the-best short list, and we start by reliving a game and a Heisman-winning performance that took place on this day, on the eve of November (a.k.a. Halloween), 54 years ago:

Billy Cannon, LSU (October 31, 1959)

On Halloween night in Baton Rouge, No. 3 Ole Miss led the top-ranked Tigers 3-0 early in the fourth before Cannon took a bouncing punt at his own 11-yard line and broke seven tackles on his way to an 89-yard score and the only touchdown of the game. What is forgotten in the lore of that game and that run is Cannon, with the Rebels one yard away from scoring the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, made the game-saving tackle to secure the goal-line stand and the LSU win.

Now on to some of the memorable moments that actually happened in the month November:

Pete Dawkins, Army (November 8, 1958)

On a 77-degree, humid day in Houston, Army and Rice were deadlocked at seven with under a minute to play and the game destined for a tie with the Cadets back at their own 36. That’s when Army quarterback Joe Caldwell heaved a pass down the middle of the field that found a streaking Dawkins, who raced 64 yards for the game-winning score.

Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska (November 4, 1972)

One year after his breathtaking punt return touchdown in the “Game of the Century” against Oklahoma, Rodgers cemented his Heisman in 1972 with another startling performance on national television, accounting for 266 all-purpose yards in a road victory over No. 15 Colorado.

Doug Flutie, Boston College (November 23, 1984)

There are no words that do this game and the play that made Doug Flutie a Heisman winner any justice. So here’s the video. Situation: six seconds remaining, Miami leading 45-41.

Desmond Howard, Michigan (November 23, 1991)

“Helloooo Heisman!” The game between Michigan and Ohio State was a blowout (Michigan won 31-3), but Howard’s 93-yard punt return in the second quarter, his Heisman pose in the end zone and Keith Jackson’s timely and poignant call established one of the most indelible moments in college football broadcast television.

Charles Woodson, Michigan (November 22, 1997)

In 1997, the Heisman Trophy pretty much had Peyton Manning’s name etched on it. That was the case until the game Charles Woodson had for the Wolverines against rival Ohio State, when he returned a second-quarter punt 78 yards for a touchdown and intercepted a pass for a touchback in the third quarter. Michigan defeated the Buckeyes on its way to winning the Associated Press National Championship.

Reggie Bush, USC (November 19, 2005)

Although he received most of his notoriety in 2005 a month prior with the “Bush Push” in South Bend, Reggie Bush locked up his Heisman in a late November game against No. 16 Fresno State with one of the greatest individual one-game performances in NCAA history. Bush racked up 513 all-purpose yards in that hard-fought 50-42 win, including this 50-yard TD run. Bush’s Heisman, along with all of USC’s wins in 2005, were vacated after an NCAA investigation declared Bush to be retroactively ineligible.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M (November 10, 2012)

No one could supposedly beat big, bad Alabama, especially a team led by a snot-nosed redshirt freshman at quarterback. After 345 total yards (92 rushing), two passing touchdowns and a 29-24 upset victory by Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa, Johnny Manziel went from Johnny Football to Johnny Heisman, becoming the first freshman to win the prestigious honor.

Our trip down memory lane is complete, so now you can concentrate on our latest A Lot Of Sports Talk college football Top 25 poll. Our septuple of voters includes: Lisa Horne (CFB/NASCAR writer and on-air personality), James Bates (former All-SEC linebacker, captain on the 1996 Florida Gators national championship team, on-air television host and color commentator for Fox Sports 1), Basil Mitchell (former TCU and Green Bay Packers running back), T.J. Basalla (super fan, marketing professional, WJPZ Alumni Association President), Matty J. (ThrowTheFlagBlog.com, gifsection.com), Adesina Koiki (A Lot Of Sports Talk reporter/writer) and an anonymous staff member at a Division I-FBS school.

 

1. AlabamaTidelogo Alabama (173 points, 5 first-place votes)

I love how anyone involved with Alabama football, including the local media, is absolutely terrified of Nick Saban. Watch any Saban press conference and you can tell that the local media are scared of angering him. (Watching Saban press conferences are the comedic highlight of my week.) Now we know that the fans are terrified of him, too. After he complained of fans leaving the Arkansas game early, not a soul left Bryant-Denny stadium early during the Tide’s blowout of Tennessee. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

2. 295px-OregonDucks.svg Oregon (167, 2 first-place votes)

The Ducks still have Stanford, a feisty Utah and Oregon State as potential problems on their schedule, but yeah, I’ll see you in Pasadena on January 6, not January 1, Ducks fans. (Lisa Horne)

 

3. FSU_Seminoles.svg Florida State (164)

The Seminoles, as I write this on Monday, are 21-point favorites over another undefeated major conference school. Has that big of a spread ever been seen between two undefeated BCS schools this late in the season? (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

From Adesina: “Hey Anonymous, did Bruce Feldman read your mind? He posted this on his Twitter account the following morning.”

 

 

Just like what they did to Penn State last week, Carlos Hyde (r.) and the Buckeyes are looking to run away from the rest of their competition. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Just like they did to Penn State last week, Carlos Hyde (r.) and the Buckeyes are looking to run away from the rest of their competition. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

4. Ohio State Ohio State (150)

Something tells me Urban Meyer is going to try to score 50-plus in every game between now and Michigan. (T.J. Basalla)

Ohio State dominated Penn State 63-14 in a game that had PSU fans claiming that the Buckeyes ran the score up on them. I hate this argument. If you put a team on the field, don’t cry about the score. OSU is definitely looking for some style points so they can jump Oregon and FSU. (Matty J.)

 

5. 173px-Baylor_University_Athletics_(logo).svg Baylor (148)

Did the Bears’ bye week come at the perfect time, or at the worst possible time? The momentum of their high-powered offense gets stunted without a game this Saturday, but they get extra rest going into their brutal November run, starting with a home game against Oklahoma next Thursday. (Adesina Koiki)

 

T-6. Miami_Hurricanes_logo.svg Miami, Fla. (137)

The Hurricanes dropped a spot in my poll this week simply because, for the second week in a row, they had to squeeze out a victory against an underwhelming opponent. You would think with the good news from the NCAA that Miami would be a little more “up” for a game against Wake Forest. (Lisa)

 

T-6.  StanfordCardinal   Stanford (137)

Stanford might have just had the finest two-game stretch of defense that I can remember. They held Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion – the FBS leader in passing yards and touchdown passes going into the game – to 271 passing yards on 57 attempts and sacked him 8 times. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

8. 299px-Clemson_University_Tiger_Paw_logo.svg Clemson (124)

Clemson began its latest spell in relative college football anonymity with a solid win in College Park. As much as we will remember them for capitulating at home to FSU, running the table with the rest of their schedule – which is what they should do – should lead to a BCS appearance. (Adesina)

 

9. 250px-AuburnTigers.svg Auburn (114)

Bret Bielema might not be a comedian, but hopefully he’ll be able to laugh at how badly the Fighting Malzahns will beat his Razorbacks. (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer)

 

10.  100px-Missouri_Tigers_Logo_svg  Missouri (106)

Oh Mizzou, you could have locked down the SEC East and instead, you had your holder turn the ball “laces in” in the fourth quarter and in overtime. You’re supposed to be SEC! (Matty J.)

The missed field goal is going to get all the memories, but let’s not forget the fact that all the Tigers had to do was stop South Carolina on a fourth-and-goal from the 15 in overtime to win. (T.J.)

 

11. LSUTigers LSU (99)

LSU struggled against Furman in the first half. Every year LSU has “one of those games,” but really? Against Furman, a 40-plus underdog? (Lisa)

 

12. TAMU-Logo Texas A&M (96)

Remove the state of Alabama from the equation and the Aggies might be one of the front runners in the national title race. Despite losses to the Crimson Tide and Auburn, A&M still has a chance at a memorable season if they win the rest of their four regular-season games, including back-to-back road trips to Baton Rouge and Columbia (Missouri) to end the season. (Adesina)

 

13. 496px-Fresno_State_Bulldogs_Logo.svg Fresno State (89)

The Bulldogs are undefeated, so why are they here? Their best win was an overtime win over Rutgers, who lost to Houston 49-14. I hate the transitive theory but in this case, it proves that Fresno State’s win at home over Rutgers wasn’t that impressive since Rutgers got routed at home by Houston. (Lisa)

 

14. 150px-Texas_Tech_Red_Raiders_Logo.svg Texas Tech (83)

Texas Tech shouldn’t feel any shame in losing in very competitive fashion to Oklahoma in Norman. The trick now is to not have a hangover coming back home to face the other Sooner State power in Mike Gundy’s Cowboys. (Adesina)

 

15. OU-Logo Oklahoma (80)

It’s hard to believe the Sooners only have one loss (to Texas) but they do. Maybe they are better than we think they are? Or maybe beating youthful Big 12 teams this year isn’t that difficult to do? (Lisa)

 

16. South Carolina South Carolina (64)

How about that Connor Shaw comeback? I think one of our voters had praised him earlier in the season… (Anonymous D-1 FBS staffer…who currently is patting himself on the back)

 

17. UCLA_athletics_text_logo.svg UCLA (59)

Like UCLA, fellow Pac-12 member Washington also lost back-to-back games to Stanford and Oregon after starting 2013 undefeated. The Huskies followed that up by being annihilated by Arizona State in Tempe, 24-53. Here’s guessing the same fate won’t befall the Bruins, who now take on a Colorado team that has lost 12 consecutive Pac-12 games, with the average margin of defeat being a shade over 34 points per. Yikes! (Adesina)

 

Running back Desmond Roland might have solved OSU's issues at the position after a 219-yard performance last week at Iowa State. (Desmond Purdy/Getty Images)
Running back Desmond Roland might have solved OSU’s issues at the position after a 219-yard performance at Iowa State. (Desmond Purdy/Getty Images)

18. Oklahoma State Oklahoma State (54)

Remember when Oklahoma State was considered a national title contender? If the Cowboys win their next five games and the SEC continues to implode, they still could be in the picture. But that loss to West Virginia in September still leaves a sour taste in your mouth. (Lisa)

 

19. 150px-NIU_Huskies.svg Northern Illinois (49)

Why isn’t Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch getting more Heisman attention? (T.J.)

 

20. Louisville_Cardinals.svg Louisville (42)

Probably the biggest intrigue involving Louisville football in 2013 is whether these upcoming final four games (or five, counting a bowl) will be the last for Charlie Strong as head coach of the Cardinals, as he will be in high demand when the coaching carousel starts to spin in earnest real soon. (Adesina)

 

21. UCF_Knightro_logo UCF (39)

Since the Knights beat Louisville a week ago, they should be ranked ahead of the Cardinals. (Sorry to the other pollsters that still have Louisville ahead of UCF.) Spanking UConn 62-17 solidifies their ranking. (Lisa)

 

22. WisconsinBadger.svg Wisconsin (33)

His hiring from Utah State had a lot of people scratching their heads and others trying to figure out who he was, but Gary Andersen has done a remarkable job in his first year as head coach in Madison succeeding Bret Bielema. A road game in Iowa City this Saturday is no easy task, but it is one that the Badgers should be able to handle. (Adesina)

 

Michigan State LB Denicos Allen (28) leads a unit that is first in the FBS in rushing defense and second in pass efficiency defense. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Spartan LB Denicos Allen (28) heads a unit that leads the FBS in total defense. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

23.  Msu_head_logo.svg  Michigan State (23)

The Michigan game is always the biggest game on the Spartan calendar, but this year’s version is possibly the biggest game in years in East Lansing. (T.J.)

 

24. MichiganWolverines Michigan (18)

At the beginning of the season, all the talk was about Michigan’s brutal November. Now, with Nebraska and Northwestern a mess, things are opening up for the Wolverines. Find a way to win in East Lansing (where they haven’t won since 2007) and Michigan suddenly becomes the favorite in the (not-so) Legends Division. (T.J.)

 

25. 75px-Arizona_State_Sun_Devils_trident_logo Arizona State (9)

The Sun Devils are a scary team in the desert, averaging 51.2 points in their five home wins. Last week, they put up 53 in their latest victory over Washington. But ASU only has two home games remaining, and its play on the road will determine if they can hold on to their current one-game lead in the Pac-12 South. (Adesina)

 

Others receiving votes:

Virginia Tech (5 points), Notre Dame (4), North Dakota State (3), Oregon State (3), Ball State (1), Duke (1), Ole Miss (1)

 

* – To break ties, we used a three-step criteria; 1) higher number of first-place votes, 2) higher number of ballots (out of six) the teams appeared in, 3) highest single ranking by an individual pollster (e.g. if Team A and Team B are tied cumulatively and appeared in all six polls, but Team A’s highest ranking by an individual pollster was No. 7 and Team B’s highest ranking by an individual pollster was No. 9, Team A wins tiebreaker)

Facebook Comments Box

Leave a Response