Tag Archives: Heisman Trophy

Tomorrow evening, quarterback Cam Newton from Auburn University will undoubtedly be awarded the Heisman Trophy.  The other 3 finalists for this year's award are Oregon running back LaMichael James, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, & Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.  While these finalists are worthy of their nominations, and played a key role in the success of their teams, clearly Mr. Newton is far superior and certainly the sole reason his team is playing in the National Championship game.  No Newton, no undefeated season, no SEC Championship, and no title shot.

This got me thinking.  In the history of the Heisman trophy, who were the biggest runaway winners like Cam will be?  Georgia's Herschel Walker nipped Stanford's John Elway in 1982.  Bo Jackson of Auburn nudged by Chuck long of Iowa in 1985, and Matt Leinart of USC narrowly defeated Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma in 2004.  So in the neverending quest to find meaningful sports information that really isn't meaningful, I give you the TOP 10 biggest Heisman blowouts and/or top vote getters that I can think of!

10.  Howard Cassady, Ohio State, 1955: One of the best nick - names in sports history was that of Howard "Hop Along" Cassady. He was the first Heisman winner to amass more than 2,000 points.  Even though he won the award because of his 37 td's in 36 games & offensive prowess, he didn't allow ONE pass completed against him in 4 years on the defensive side!

9.  Billy Cannon, LSU, 1959: Returned kicks, ran the ball, punted, and received over 1,600 more votes than the recently deceased & beloved "Dandy" Don Meredith from SMU.

8.  Roger Staubach, NAVY, 1963: The Jolly Roger the Dodger finished above 4th place Illinois standout, & future NFL terror Dick Butkus by 1,688 points.

7.  Jim Plunkett, Stanford, 1970: The future 2 time Super Bowl QB blasted second place winner Joe "No-Heisman" Theismann of Notre Dame by 800 points.  Archie Manning of Ole Miss came in a distant third (Archie's sons Peyton & Eli came in second place & 3rd place in the voting in 1997 and 2003 respectively).

6. Vinny Testaverde, Miami, 1986: Vinny tallied 1,755 more points than the current coach of the Stanford Cardinal, Jim Harbough.

5. Doug Flutie, Boston College, 1984: You know who came in 9th place in the voting the year Flutie threw the most memorable "Hail Mary" in history?  Jerry Rice.

4. Desmond Howard, Michigan, 1991: He did it all!  Desmond won by the third highest margin of victory in Heisman Trophy history.  You can catch up on all of his accomplishments past & present, in a prior Original Retro Brand "5 Questions with.." interview from September.

3. Tony Dorsett, Pitt, 1976: This one hurts because Pitt beat my Dawgs this year for the National title, and a future Georgia coach named Ray Goff came in 7th place in the Heisman voting - a sign of what was in store for UGA under his watch.

2.  Troy Smith, Ohio State, 2006: Troy received 86.7% of the first place votes, a record that still stands.  Troy wasn't denied the Heisman despite his accepting $500 from a booster early in the 2005 season (With inflation, that's about $185,000 today).

1.  O. J. Simpson, USC, 1968: Oh boy.  That guy.  The juice had 1,750 more votes than runner up Leroy Keyes from Purdue.  Too bad for O.J., the keys have caught up with him, and have been thrown away.

Will Cam Newton move into the #1 spot for biggest Heisman blowout after tomorrow night?  I think O. J. is about to get bumped off.

Be sure to check the blog Monday as we'll be announcing the newest Original Retro Brand customer contest.  Let's say it involves winning a FREE Original Retro Brand t-shirt every week, and has something to do with Bowl games & College Football.

ROSE THEN, BCS NOW

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In honor of my 50th birthday coming up in May, I've decided to do a TOP 50 list.  Lame reason for a list for sure, but I'm doing it anyway.  And since I love nothing more than my ever growing collection of Original Retro Brand shirts, what better list could there possibly be?  None better.

After painstakingly reviewing the thousands of possibilities that are worthy of this list, I have narrowed it down to my favorite 50.  Today I will share the bottom ten on that list, working up to # 1 over the next few weeks.  What defines “Cool” is in the eye of the beholder of course, and I suspect I will piss some people off with my choices.  When it comes to vintage logos however, I’ve always been objective to what I deem “Cool.”  For instance, I never let my love of the Georgia Bulldogs stop me from wearing a ….gulp, Georgia Tech shirt, or…..double gulp, a Florida Gators shirt (God, forgive me).  I’m simply hooked on the old graphics.  If they had a 12-step program for retro gear hoarders, I would go to my first meeting and  bust out faster than Tom Sizemore on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.  You get the point?  Click the highlighted links to see the awesomeness!

50. BC Lions - That Lion is not going to be giving up that ball anytime soon.

49. Harlem Globetrotters - Did you start whistling "Sweet Georgia Brown," in your head?  Yeah, you did.  Logo just makes you smile.

48. Boston Minutemen - Maybe the "Tea Party" folks have brainwashed me.  Actually I just love colonial tri-cornered hats.  Anything from the old North American Soccer League works.

47. Auburn Tigers - My first initial with wings attached, soaring high into the sky!!  Pretty bad.  Sorry.  Logo still rocks.

46. Maryland Lacrosse -  Only Original Retro Brand shirt in the collection with a Lacrosse stick.  No better sport in the Universe...the Universe!

45. Decatur Commies – This is one extremely disturbing t-shirt.  A must have.

44. Alabama vs. Stanford Rose Bowl - Ye Olde football program covers are insane.  I think the Heisman Trophy pose was taken straight from this logo.  This cover was 1935 - the first year they gave out the award.

43. Clemson Tigers – This baby is plain fierce. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon comes to mind.

42. Boston Bruins -  Bobby Orr.  Nuff said.

41. Simon Bar Sinister - Best bad guy from a cartoon.  Don't make em' like they used to.

So many shirts, so little time.  Hope you like em’  – 40 more to go.  If you have any good suggestions, I can easily be swayed to add one of your favorites to the list.  Let me know and look for another 10 tomorrow.

THE CINCINNATI BEARCATS ARE 12-0, AND WILL BEAT THE FLORIDA GATORS IN THE SUGAR BOWL!

Who wrote that?  Yes, I wrote that, and perhaps I was off just a tad?  One prediction I did make correctly, was that the standings in the "The 12 Bowls Of Christmas Contest" would drastically change over the weekend. Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman fared the best, picking 7 winners out of the 12 games played since our last update, while I imploded (Northwestern, Michigan State SHOULD have won!) dropping 9 games....P&U!!!  With 3 games remaining, the top dog is in a deadlock for first place with Marketing VP Cassidy Moore who has been the most consistent throughout the contest (CFO Rick Schwartz and myself are officially OUT of the running), and the standings now look like this:

Marc 12-11         Cassidy 12-11         Andy 11-12         Rick 10-13

This contest won't be decided with the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl tonight when TCU faces Bosie State, but could be over after the Orange Bowl tomorrow which features Georgia Tech and Iowa. Marc and Cassidy have both picked the last 3 games differently (Marc has TCU, Georgia Tech, and Texas), so if they split the first two, the contest won't be decided until the BCS Championship between Alabama & Texas on Thursday and that's what I'm hoping for!

During the regular season, I made the mistake of picking against TCU twice.  I have learned my lesson.  The Frogs will out-gun the Broncos in an offensive explosion.  TCU - 45, Boise State - 38.

The Georgia Tech-Iowa game is one of the tougher games to pick out of all the Bowl games.  Having attended a few Tech games this year, I can vouch for their explosive offense (they are my third favorite college team due to the fact I married into the situation, and have begrudgingly learned to accept and enjoy them over the years), but at the same time, the Hawkeye defense has yielded half the amount of points the Yellow Jackets have given up.  So who wins?  Gotta go with the heart on my sleeve.  Georgia Tech - 24, Iowa - 17.

And speaking about wearing your heart on your sleeve, I'll have to go with my second favorite college football team (as written about in this prior blog post) to win the National Championship, and here are my very scientific TOP TEN reasons why:

10.  Tommy Nobis, the most underrated linebacker in NFL history (should be in the Hall of Fame!) and one of my very favorite people, played for Texas.

9.  The Longhorns have a cooler uniform.

8.  I am an old Baltimore Colts fan.  Joe Namath beat my Colts in Super Bowl III.  Joe Namath went to Alabama.  I’m still bitter.  Also the Texas quarterback is a Colt.

7.  I’m a Georgia Bulldog Fan.  You’d think I’d pull for the SEC.  Nope....Georgia ONLY.

6.  Since both teams have been in existence (Texas 1893, Bama 1892), they have played each other 8 times.  Texas has never lost.  They will keep that record intact.

5.  1977 Heisman Trophy Winner Earl Campbell is my favorite running back of all-time.  Yeah, he went to Texas.

4.  Mean people suck.  Nick Saban’s a meanie. He made Timmy Tebow cry!

3.  Texas mascot “Bevo” has been called “the toughest-looking animal mascot in sports”  Bama mascot “Big Al” is a cuddly lil’ ol’ elephant.

2.  Texas was ranked # 2 to finish the regular season in 2005, and a slight underdog when they ended up winning the BCS Championship by ending USC’s 34 game winning streak.  # 2 ranking and slight underdog is where Texas is now.  It’s De ja vue all over again.

1.  My boss loves the Longhorns.  I love my job.  HOOK EM HORNS!

Good luck to both Marc & Cassidy as they battle for the crown.  Please check back next Monday when we announce the winner of the contest.  I will also be reporting on my experience of attending my very first BCS Championship game, and announcing the first Original Retro Brand Contest for 2010.

7  College Bowl games down, 19 to go.  Original Retro Brand CFO Rick Schwartz turned his 0-4 frown upside down, by picking the winner in all 3 contests on the slate this past weekend (Pitt, USC & Clemson).  Marc, Cassidy, and Andy each went 2-1, and the standings in the "ORB 12 BOWLS OF CHRISTMAS" contest look like this as the "meat" of the schedule starts tonight, with the Georgia Bulldogs taking on the Texas A&M Aggies in the Independence Bowl:

Andy 6-1         Cassidy 3-4         Marc 3-4         Rick 3-4

It was tough being a Dawg fan this season (annihilated by Florida & Tennessee & losing to Kentucky?).  Knocking off in-state rival and eventual ACC Champion Georgia Tech (on the Jackets home turf), did ease some of the pain.  The Dawgs have won 10 times in their last 12 Bowl games.  This does not bode well for the Aggies, who've dropped three of their last four games.  I have to give this one to Georgia.  UGA - 35, Texas A&M - 20.

The UCLA Bruins take on the Temple Owls in the Eaglebank Bowl tomorrow afternoon in the nation's capital.  After losing their first 2 games of the season, the Owls went on a rampage,winning 9 straight.  Freshman workhorse Bernard Pierce rushed for over 1,300 yards including back-to-back 200 yard games against Toledo and Navy.  The UCLA offense on the other hand, has no standout player to shoulder the load this year, and were flat out inconsistent the entire season.  Temple - 28, UCLA  - 17.

The Miami Hurricanes had the unenviable task of opening their season with 4 straight games against ranked teams.  After emerging with 3 wins, including a 1-point epic victory over # 8 Oklahoma, the "U" was officially back on the national scene as a legitimate contender for the National title.  Sophomore sensation Jacory Harris threw for over 3,000 yards, and the future for the Canes is very bright indeed.  The Wisconsin Badgers match up almost identically on paper with Miami in most categories.  Running back John Clay is a bona fide stud with over 1,000 yards rushing for the "Greatful Red," but there is one glaring difference between the two teams;  Miami knocked off 3 ranked teams, and Wisconsin lost both of their games versus ranked teams (Ohio State & Iowa).  Miami - 24, Wisconsin - 20.

This next one has been eating me up on many levels.  Arizona vs. Nebraska.  I still have vivid memories of  one of my favorite college players ever, in Cornhusker Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers.  I am friends in "real life" with Jarvis Redwine -  the first running back to ever rush for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons for Nebraska.  Red is my favorite color.  GO HUSKERS!!  Hold on a minute....  The folks I work for all went to the University of Arizona, and dare I bite the hand that feeds me?  I was lucky enough to visit the University of Arizona campus about 25 years ago, and I still can't understand how kids get any work done there.  Palm trees & plush manicured lawns with the majestic Catalina Mountains for a backdrop, seem an unlikely place to do anything but go on vacation.  A vacation is where the Wildcats football team seems to have been the past ten years, before putting together back-to-back 8 win seasons in 2008-2009.  The Cats let a huge victory slip through their fingers against Oregon, but really showed they had heart by closing out the season with impressive wins against home state rival Arizona State, and the equally hated USC Trojans.  GO CATS!!  I really like both teams, but I am still bitter that Ndamukong Suh didn't win the Heisman Trophy this year.  Nebraska was also one tic away from knocking off # 2 Texas and for those reason's I'm picking Big Red to win in a close one.  Nebraska - 27, Arizona - 24.

Despite picking the Cornhuskers, I believe I will still have a job tomorrow, enabling me the opportunity to bring you more bowl picks.  Enjoy the game tonight, and HONKER DOWN YOU HAIRY DAWGS!!

BE SURE TO CHECK THIS POST TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR YOUR 25% OFF CODE TOWARDS  LSU AND ALABAMA MERCHANDISE THAT WILL BE FEATURED ON ORIGINALRETROBRAND.COM IN THE  PICK OF THE WEEK  SECTION.

Well of course the Tigers can beat Bama.  They have dominated them the past 9 years, taking 7 of those meetings en route to their 2003 & 2007 National Championships..... but they won't beat them this Saturday.  The Tide will continue to roll for several reasons;  1) LSU is ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense going up against an Alabama defense that ranks # 1 against the rush, and # 2 in total defense.   2)  Bama running back Mark Ingram is a monster averaging 6.6 yds per carry, and is currently neck and neck with Florida's Tim Tebow in the Heisman Trophy race.   3)  The Tide will ride the emotional wave of momentum provided by linebacker Terrence Cody, whose 2 blocked field goal attempts last week against the Vols, snatched victory from sure defeat.

If LSU does pull off this upset, they have a very good shot at surpassing Alabama, and winning the SEC West.   LSU finishes up with a somewhat demoralized and overrated Ole Miss team, and then Arkansas at home.   Meanwhile, Alabama has two very tough road games against an underrated Mississippi State, and a very hungry arch rival  Auburn Tiger team.   All of this being said, BAMA  will use the home field advantage to keep their record perfect.   Final Score:  Alabama 28, LSU 20.

AND SPEAKING OF PERFECT....Darn Virginia Tech kept me from a perfect 6-0 on my picks last week by losing to North Carolina.  I nearly landed the Georgia-Florida, and Texas-Oklahoma State game scores ON THE NOSE.  How bout them Oregon Ducks??!!   After a disastrous 7-12 record to date, a 5 win week gets me back in the hunt with a 12-13 record.  What hunt I don't know, but I'm in it!!   Since I am a sucker for underdogs, I may not be in the hunt after this weekend with these insane picks....

After a heart wrenching loss to Temple last week, I say the midshipmen shock the Irish in South Bend:  Navy 30, Notre Dame 28.    The CAL Bears are just so inconsistent this year, while the Beavers have given ranked teams (Cincinnati, Arizona & USC) very tough games.  Oregon State 35, CAL 21.   Illinois is coming off a stunner over Michigan after dropping 5 straight games while the Gophers have had a brutal three game stretch against Ohio State, Penn State and a hard fought victory over Michigan State last week.   Illinois shows new life while Minnesota is just too tired.   Illinois 24, Minnesota 14.

WHO'D A THUNK IT?  With the Indians circling the Bobby Bowden Wagon, the Florida State Seminoles have rallied around the living legend to win two straight, and can still win the ACC Atlantic division with a win over Clemson in Death Valley, then Wake Forest and Maryland.  FSU will do just that.  FSU 38, Clemson 35.

BE SURE TO CHECK THIS POST TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR YOUR 25% OFF CODE TOWARDS  LSU AND ALABAMA MERCHANDISE  THAT WILL BE FEATURED ON ORIGINALRETROBRAND.COM IN THE  PICK OF THE WEEK  SECTION.

"........But that was then and this is now, and despite the huge win last night, I see Miami finishing  a notch behind FSU.   And even though the Hokies dropped their opener to Alabama  I see Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech coming in the top two spots (Georgia Tech will beat FSU in the ACC Championship game)."     Yes, these words were written by yours truly just a few short weeks ago.  My, my, how I wish I can take them back....

Now that the Miami Hurricanes have knocked off state rival, and # 18 Florida State, and wiped out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in old school fashion (i.e, a blowout dropping them  from # 14 out of the top 25.), the Canes seem poised to step back into an old familiar role of NATIONAL POWERHOUSE.

Their first big test will come this Saturday on the road in Blacksburg, against ACC Coastal division rivals, the Virginia Tech Hokies.   The Hokies lost a hard fought opening season game to Alabama and are coming off a stunning last second victory over a much improved Nebraska Cornhuskers team last weekend.

In a game that will feature two young QB's coming of age, the nod has to go to Miami's Jacory Harris, who has been named ACC Offensive player of the week twice already in this young season.    Along with a smothering  defense that held the highly touted Georgia Tech running game to a standstill last week,  the "U", should be able to silence the Virginia Tech faithful.

The Canes are certainly not looking ahead, but if they can knock off the Hokies, they will get to host the # 9 (USA TODAY) Oklahoma Sooners and the very likely return of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.   A win at home would put the Canes in the driver's seat to run the table and go unbeaten (....although the Tarheels are looking tough too..).

When was the last time a Miami team (or any team?) started the season by knocking off 4 teams ranked in the top 20?   I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, but I would imagine it could go back to the 34 game winning streak the Hurricanes put together in 2001-2002.   Remember back when the Hurricanes were always near the top?   They're back........and I believe if I need to pull any quotes from this post in 2 weeks, it will be to reiterate that the Canes will run the table!