The Heisman is in Quinn's hands
If Notre Dame wins 11 games, it would be hard to imagine Brady Quinn not winning the Heisman Trophy.
It's not just Notre Dame's television exposure or history or mystique or whatever, it's that Quinn is a big-time player with legitimate Heisman skills.
And defenses won't be able to concentrate too much on the passing game because Darius Walker is an explosive running back. Quinn also benefits from a terrific receiver in Jeff Samardzija. And Charlie Weis' attack seems like a perfect fit.
If Ohio State, Auburn, Florida or Cal goes undefeated, it's likely the Heisman will be won by a player from one of those teams. Each has a bona fide contender.
But if Quinn has the type of season he's expected to have, the Irish will have their first Heisman winner since Tim Brown in 1987.

Comments
i agree100%. Go Irish!
Posted by: Rich Calhoun | August 4, 2006 12:45 AM
Troy Smith. Heisman Trophy winner. Period.
Posted by: nelson Rodriguez | August 4, 2006 07:56 AM
Brady Quinn the front runner for the heisman trophy? I'm going with Chris Leak out of Florida, hands down.
Posted by: Jesse | August 4, 2006 10:34 AM
I'll second the Chris Leak mention.
It's funny just two years ago we heard that Notre Dame couldn't win because of admission standards? Huh?
Posted by: Aaron | August 4, 2006 01:20 PM
IOWA ALSO HAS A GOOD QB WHO MAY BE IN THE RUNNING IF HE AND THE YOUNG HAWKS IN KEY POSITIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL EARLY IN THE SEASON FOLLOWED BY A BIG TEN TITLE. IT'S ONLY A DREAM AT THIS TIME.
Posted by: JOHN | August 5, 2006 06:12 AM
Given the fact they'll lose yet again to MSU, and probably drop one against Michigan or Penn State, I don't see 11 wins. Hopefully he'll do a Ron Paulus and remove himself from the Heisman picture early on so we don't have to listen to Domers whine about his failure to win the award at the end of the season.
Posted by: The Capitalist | August 5, 2006 01:53 PM
Quinn is a pro-caliber quarterback in a college team's jersey. The Heisman is his to lose.
Posted by: Joe | August 6, 2006 12:17 AM
Ditto Joe...That's the short and sweet of it.
Posted by: btrax | August 6, 2006 10:55 AM
Hey Capitalist...Thanks for sharing...Keep coming back ok??!!...Notre Dame year in and year out has the toughest schedule in the nation...That's what makes following them such a TREAT...I don't see a weak opponent on the schedule...I'm happy to see Army back on the schedule... The Army coach,Bobby Ross, turned Maryland into an Atlantic Coast Conference power...Led an overachieving Georgia Tech team to a co-national championship.Took the San Diego Chargers to their only Super Bowl...And had the Detroit Lions clicking before he abruptly quit the NFL.
If the Irish lose this year, it won't be to a Michigan or a Penn State or a Southern Cal or A UCLA...They will lose To an Air Force, a Georgia Tech or a Purdue (which won the second half vs. ND last year)...Every team gets up for the Irish...In my opinion, The NCAA championship is Notre Dame's to lose...Their schedule is so strong that they might be able to lose a game and still get into the championship (This might be the norm for every team)...I'd love to see 'em play Texas for the championship (Remember that 1970 Cotton Bowl--Ouch, I do)I'd love a rematch with Ohio State also...All in all College Football is better when school's like Notre Dame have a strong football program...Ya love 'em or hate 'em...I'm not one who loses sleep when ND loses, but they sure make my Saturday's more interesting...I've lived in alot of places and rooted for alot of pro and college teams but Notre Dame Football (yea just football) has held my intrest since I was a pup...It's going to be a GREAT college football seasom all the way around...I can't wait!!...Bring it on baby!!!!
Posted by: btrax | August 6, 2006 11:24 AM
"The Heisman is in Quinn's hands"
With such an arrogant statement as that, why not just skip the end of season voting and have the Pope hand it to him now?
Posted by: BD | August 6, 2006 11:38 AM
Quinn is now the man! Thanks in part to Weis and his scheme of things. Go ND all the way and Quinn for the Heisman. In just one year under Weis' wing he turned his college career around. He was on his way to being just another good ND quarterback, maybe back up in the NFL but Weis and his staff have increased his confidence and with that increased ability.
Posted by: GB | August 7, 2006 04:27 PM
Drew Stanton for Heisman. Look at the numbers when healthy.
Posted by: Chad | August 7, 2006 05:58 PM
I know there is no chance for the Mighty Mouse of college football to win. But Garret Wolfe for those who have seen him, is like no other player out there.
He may not be at a school kids dream about going to, or be able to dominate in the NFL someday, but NO ONE provides as much excitement as he does every time he steps onto the field.
-Obvious NIU alum
Posted by: Grant | August 7, 2006 07:18 PM
Drew Stanton . . . I thought about that after remembering how he shredded ND last year. The only problem is MSU will probably start strong and tank at the mid-point as they always seem to do. He's not going to win the Heisman without a major bowl appearance, and under John L., I can't see how they'll do that this year.
Posted by: The Capitalist | August 8, 2006 11:24 AM
Brian Brohm or Micheal Bush out of Louisville both have a legitimate shot as well. Bush had 23 touchdowns last year and Brohm was number 2 in division 1-A before a knee injury in the second to last game. In addition, Louisville's offense should be wicked this year and throw up more points per game than last year (averaged44 points per game).
Posted by: paul | August 10, 2006 06:30 AM
Chris Leak????? I live in Florida so I get to see the Gators a good bit....like during the commercials of the other real games that are being played. He is a leftover from the Zook phase of Florida.. Word around here is that most Florida fans don't even want to see him finish the season. Urban Meyer went and recruited the best QA in the country (Tim Tebow)to play HIS style of offense.. not Zook's.
Posted by: George | August 10, 2006 07:58 AM
Notre Dame should win about 11 games. They have the weakest schedule in college football!!! They play Navy twice and also play Army. They only play one top ten team all year. This is the most over hyped team ever. If they played the SEC they would never win more than ten games but as it is they play Navy and Army and other weak teams.
Posted by: Mike | August 11, 2006 08:29 AM
Quinn is garbage and if he makes it to the pro's he will be another Ryan Leaf.
Posted by: Len | August 17, 2006 02:42 PM
Brady WHO? ND is overrated! Period.
Posted by: Shaun | September 20, 2006 09:36 AM