Why Robert Griffin III Should Win the Heisman

By - Kris Fletcher

When the final votes are tallied and the award is announced later this evening in New York City, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III will be hoisting the Heisman Trophy.

Or, that's the way it should be anyway.

While the other finalists - Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu - all had outstanding seasons in their own right, RG3 was far and away the most dynamic player in college football this year, period.

Photo by: Getty Images

Griffin started the season by torching a TCU squad that had been #1 in the nation in total defense three consecutive years for 359 yards and 5 touchdowns. By the time the season was halfway over, he had thrown 22 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions, while completing 78% of his passes.

However, it was Griffin's final five games that solidified his status as a bona fide Heisman candidate. He threw for 400 yards in a 42-39 win against Missouri. He threw 3 touchdowns passes and led a fourth quarter comeback in a 31-30 overtime win against Kansas. He threw for nearly 500 yards in an upset of then #5 Oklahoma. He was knocked out of the Texas Tech game, but returned the following week to lead an upset over Texas. In that five-game span, Griffin threw for 1,623 yards, 13 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, while completing 67% of his passes. He also rushed for 322 yards - half his season total - and 6 scores.

Griffin made Baylor worthy of the national spotlight. Without him, a team that ranks 114th in total defense and has one of the worst special teams units in the country gets no national play, especially in a power conference such as the Big 12. He's led the school to nine wins, which is the most they've had since 1986, and with a victory over Washington in the Alamo Bowl, the Bears would have ten wins for only the second time in team history.

On Thursday night, Griffin won the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given annually to the best quarterback in college football. It's only the third national award a player from Baylor has ever received, and the first by a QB. Winning the award is a good sign for Griffin, as the player who won it four out of the last five seasons went on to win the Heisman as well.

Photo by: Getty Images

But still, the Heisman voters manage to screw this process up time and again. That's the main reason the award itself has become a semi-joke. Half the time, they try and turn it into a lifetime achievement deal. So, would I be at all surprised if Andrew Luck's name is the one that's called tonight? Not in the least.

"The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."

That's how the Heisman Trophy Trust mission statement reads. If the sports journalists from across the country who vote actually decide to follow those guidelines, the winner should be pretty obvious.

Do the right thing guys. Give it to the player who's most deserving this season.

Robert Griffin III.

UPDATE: The voters got it right, as Griffin defeated runner-up Andrew Luck by well over 200 points to become the 77th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy.