Despite having four teams nationally ranked and four teams undefeated, it would surprise most college football experts to see a Big Ten team play in the Fiesta Bowl for a national championship.
However, the Big Ten will almost assuredly be represented when New York City's Downtown Athletic Club awards the Heisman Trophy in December.
Many deem the Big Ten to be in another down year, but spectacular athletes play across the conference. And a special few will play out the season under the Heisman spotlight.
Most commentators' Big Ten Heisman lists begin with Michigan State junior wide receiver Charles Rogers. Rogers is easily one of the top receivers in the nation. As a sophomore last year, he set every Michigan State receiving record. Rogers exploded to a fast start this season, having already tied an NCAA record by catching a touchdown pass in his 12th consecutive regular season game Sept. 21. One analyst suggested his second touchdown catch that day, was the best catch'in college football history.
Physically, Rogers' 6'4' 205-pound frame gives quarterback Jeff Smoker a large target. Rogers also uses his size and physical prowess to overwhelm defensive backs and wrestle would-be interceptions from their hands. Wisely, Michigan State's safest offensive strategy this season might be simply throwing Rogers the ball and letting him break free from Big Ten defenders.
Michigan State Head Coach Bobby Williams also lavishes praise on Rogers as a person and teammate.
\He's a great worker,"" Williams said. ""He has excellent work habits and he helps the younger players.""
Rogers' candidacy, flawless as it seems, may rely on Michigan State's success. Rogers ""plays great every week"" according to Williams, but unfortunately for Rogers, his team has made headlines for its last two losses. Heisman voters often ignore special players on underachieving teams for less spectacular players on solid teams.
If Rogers doesn't win the Heisman trophy, or conference postseason honors for that matter, it may simply be that Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett beats him out. Last year's Mr. Football for Ohio and USA Today Offensive Player of the Year, Clarett was possibly the nation's top running back recruit. Clarett quickly distinguished himself from his teammates, graduating high school in January, 2002, to jump into his studies at Ohio State. In August, without having ever played in a college game, he challenged other Ohio State players who were not working as hard as he liked.
Second in Big Ten rushing, the upstart Clarett has an amount of skill and confidence of an upper-classmen. Even better for Clarett, Ohio State's struggles with Cincinnati Sept. 21 might have helped his Heisman chances by proving just how valuable he is to the squad. With Clarett sidelined nursing a knee injury, Ohio State labored for just 165 yards rushing, nearly 85 yards less than their total at the time.
Moreover, Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel noted confusion in Ohio State's offensive line and quarterbacks against Cincinnati, accounting in part for the Buckeyes' lackluster offensive display, and intimating that Ohio State is not the same caliber team without Clarett. Indiana Head Coach Gerry DiNardo, preparing for Saturday's game at Ohio State, might know why the offensive line seemed lacking without Clarett in the game.
""[Clarett] has great vision, he hits the hole [in the offensive line] precisely at the right time, and he has another gear in the open field,"" DiNardo said.
Clarett's open field gear will not keep his youth from catching him in the Heisman field. Heisman voters rarely recognize freshmen, and since 1980, only two freshmen have finished as high as third in the voting.
Like any race, dark-horse candidates may pull themselves and their teams out from obscurity to get some attention in this year's Heisman campaign.
Iowa junior running back Fred Russell has rushing statistics virtually identical to Clarett's. The two average 7.5 yards per carry, about two yards per carry more than any other Big Ten back with at least 60 carries. Russell emerged from the second tier of Iowa's depth chart this year, stepping in for junior running back Aaron Greving in Iowa's season opener.
Penn State senior tailback Larry Johnson, despite being third in yards-per-game, leads the conference in all-purpose yards thanks to doubling as the Nittany Lions' kick returner. This season marks Johnson's first opportunity to be Penn State's feature running back, and he is making the most of the chance.
Although installing a Big Ten team as a contender for the national title may be a stretch, it is very reasonable to install a Big Ten player as a Heisman contender.
