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Is Ryan Mathews Heisman Worthy?

Published by Admin on November 5, 2009

Fresno State hasn’t received this much attention. Well that’s not true,they did catch the nations eye when they won the College Baseball National Championships in 2008. That’s not football though. It has been almost 8 years since they’ve received any big time recognition, that is since David Carr was drafted first overall in the NFL draft by the Texans.

Fresno state hasn’t been this close to having a Heisman candidate since David Carr, however, Ryan Mathews isn’t getting any love / media attention.

You see it everywhere. Smaller teams in littler conference don’t get the attention they deserve. Such as Fresno State who plays in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). We see fans only giving respect to teams that rank in the BCS standings, and in the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten conferences. And in reality WAC doesn’t get any of this respect because “they have no competition” or “they don’t play anyone”

The way Bowl Championship games are set up do not favor teams teams Boise State or Utah. These teams will never get the chance to play in a national championship game even if they do have a perfect undefeated season. They’ll still rank lower in the polls below teams that have loses.

This is shown even when Boise State went undefeated in 2006 and was still ranked behind USC and Michigan who had two loses a piece. Boise State proved critics wrong when they were told they don’t belong in the standings when they defeat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

If critics and the BCS say that teams in the WAC and MWC don’t deserve to play in the National Championship game, does that also include excluding certain players to be recognized by their outstanding performance and be considered for the Heisman Trophy? I think not.

So does Ryan Mathews qualify for the Heisman Trophy even though he is in the Western Athletic Conference and not the Big Ten, or ACC, or SEC? Mathews has proven himself against worthy teams such as Boise State and Cincinnati, and is also the top rusher in the nation.

In 8 games this season, Ryan Mathews has rushed over 106 yards or more per game. Mathews has a total of 1316 rushing yards, with an average of 7.4 yards per carry. He also has 11 touchdowns on the season. Not to mention he has also had 7 receptions for 94 yards. If he keeps this up it is projected that he’ll have 1974 rushing yards at the end of the season. He also had 3 touchdown runs against Boise State for 60 yards or more.

Lets take a simple comparison between another Running Back Jahvid Best from Cal. Mathews leads him in total yards, yards per game, carries, and is tied for 11 touch downs a piece. Not to take the spot light away from Jahvid Best, but why isn’t Ryan Mathews getting the same media attention? Hmm is it because Mathews is in the WAC? Possibly.

Now lets compare Ryan Mathews against previous Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush (USC).

If Mathews keeps averaging 164.5 yards a game he’ll end the season with 1974 yards compared to Reggie Bush who only ran 1,741 yards in 2005 (when he won the Heisman trophy).

Now, don’t get mad, I’m not comparing Ryan Mathews to Reggie Bush because their will never be another Reggie Bush. What I’m sayings is that Ryan Mathews deserves some respect for the number he has put up this season, and should be considered as one of the best if not the best.

Ryan Mathews shouldn’t be shunned because of the team he plays for or the division he is in. Will the people get the hint? Or will the only trophy the WAC and MWC be eligible for is the Sears National Championship Trophy?