CNN/SI's Heisman WatchThe Preseason
Edition
Posted: Wed Aug 19,
1998
Welcome to the Heisman Watch. Each week, we'll
handicap the race for college football's most prestigious
award, adding and dropping names from the list as
performances merit, while updating the contenders' latest
statistics and upcoming
games.
Meanwhile, we want to hear your pitch for your Heisman
favorite. Click
here to submit your candidate. We'll be tracking the comments
all season long, and running the best ones each week in our
Heisman
Watch.
Here are the Top 10 contenders heading into the
season:
|
1. Ricky Williams, RB, Sr.,
Texas |
|
'97 stats: 279 att., 1,893 yds., 25
TDs
| |
Skinny: He's dubbed "Little Earl" in honor of
Earl Campbell; will someone eventually be named
"Little Ricky?" Williams is on pace to shatter
the NCAA career rushing record. Think Barry Sanders, circa
1988.
| |
|
2. Cade McNown, QB, Sr.,
UCLA
|
| '97 stats: 312 att., 189 comp., 3,116 yds., 24 TDs, 6
INTs
| | Skinny: He'll finish with big numbers, if last year is any
indication, and his team will be in the Top 10. A potent
combo.
| |
|
3. Tim Couch, QB, Jr.,
Kentucky
|
| '97 stats: 547 att., 363 comp., 3,884 yds., 37 TDs, 19
INTs
| | Skinny: The stats
he'll put up in coach Hal Mumme's "Air
Raid" offense would be the envy of '89 Heisman winner Andre
Ware. Team success will dictate Couch's share of the
votes.
| |
|
4. Andy Katzenmoyer, LB, Jr., Ohio
State
|
| '97 stats: 97 tackles (80 unassisted, 13 for a loss), 2
INTs
| | Skinny: Like '97 Heisman winner Charles Woodson,
Katzenmoyer is so dominant on defense that he merits
Heisman consideration. Playing both ways helped Woodson;
reps as a fullback in goal-line situations will help Big
Kat's
cause.
| |
|
5. Ron Dayne, RB, Jr.,
Wisconsin
|
| '97 stats: 263 att., 1,457 yds., 15
TDs
| | Skinny: The Badgers' offense will go like this: handoff
left, Dayne; handoff right, Dayne. The defense knows he's
coming, but stopping the 260-pound force is another matter
altogether.
| |
|
6. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Sr., Central
Florida
|
| '97 stats: 314 att., 187 comp., 2,565 yds., 19 TDs, 15 INTs
| | Skinny: Haven't heard of him? Drop his name to your friends
now, so you'll have a good seat on the bandwagon in
November.
| |
|
7. Kevin Faulk, RB, Sr.,
LSU
|
| '97 stats: 205 att., 1, 144 yds., 15
TDs
| | Skinny: The Bayou Bengals were hurt when Faulk's backfield
mate, Cecil Collins, was kicked off the team this summer,
but Faulk's numbers—and Heisman hopes—improve by
default.
| |
|
8. Dre' Bly, DB/WR, Jr., North
Carolina
|
| '97 stats: 5 INTs, 26 tackles (17
unassisted)
| | Skinny: We've seen the flashy two-way player have Heisman
success before. But voters will be unlikely to go for
Charles Woodson redux in
'98.
| |
|
9. Donovan McNabb, QB, Sr.,
Syracuse
|
| '97 stats: 265 att., 145 comp., 2,488 yds passing, 20 TDs,
6 INTs, 485 yds rushing, 6 TDs
rushing
| | Skinny: Option quarterbacks rack up huge total-offense
numbers that voters love. Candidacy will be made or broken
in early tests against Tennessee and at
Michigan.
| |
|
10. Brock Huard, QB, Jr.,
Washington
|
| '97 stats: 244 att., 146 comp., 2,140 yds., 23 TDs, 10
INTs
| | Skinny: The smooth lefthander postponed his NFL
career—his nobility gets him on the list. Benefits
from solid offensive line, but will suffer from being
surrounded by inexperienced skill-position
players.
| |
Click here to make a pitch for your Heisman
favorite.
|
