The Heisman Trophy: Is the Voting Process Fair? As the college football season intensifies, the Heisman Trophy race heats up, and with it, the debate over who truly deserves the coveted award. But, former coach Urban Meyer has a bone to pick with the voters, and his critique raises some valid points. Let's dive in.
Meyer, speaking on The Triple Option, didn't hold back, calling out Heisman voters for what he sees as a flawed process. He pointed out that some voters cast their ballots midseason, seemingly without waiting for the full picture to develop. "How do you make a decision until rivalry games?" Meyer questioned. "How do you make a decision until a championship game weekend?"
And this is the part most people miss... The Heisman Trophy ceremony currently takes place before the College Football Playoff. This year, the date is set for December 13th, just six days before the first round of the playoffs. This timing means that players' performances in the playoffs, which could significantly impact their legacy, are not considered in the voting.
Meyer's solution? Push the ceremony back a few weeks, allowing the postseason to unfold. He argues that the current timing is a relic of the past, when the playoff system didn't exist, and the bowl games were the end-all-be-all. He suggested waiting until after the national championship game, which is scheduled for January 19th. This would potentially push the ceremony into the final week of January or even February.
But here's where it gets controversial... Meyer also shared his top three Heisman contenders, all from the Big Ten conference. He named wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, calling him "the best player in the country." He also mentioned Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, highlighting his impressive performance, particularly a crucial drive against Penn State. Finally, Meyer included Julian Sayin, emphasizing his efficiency and the advantage of playing for the top-ranked team.
What do you think? Do you agree with Meyer's concerns about the Heisman voting process? Should the ceremony be moved to include playoff performances? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
