The Race For the Heisman is Over

Over. Fin. The End. "That's all Folks!"

The Race for the Heisman Trophy was decided this weekend. Denard Robinson sewed it up nice and good, and it's all over except for the faux anticipation and deciding which two players should sit next to Robinson in New York. (One assumes that 'Bama's Mark Ingram will be called back to NYC.)

One might seriously question calling the race at this point; such an argument would be legitimate. But, barring injury, it's going to be wrong.

On Saturday, Robinson led his 5-0 Wolverines on a game winning drive over 73 yards in a mere 1:08. He accounted for every one of Michigan's yards on the drive, completing his only pass for 42 yards and running for the other 31. This was on the road. Against a Big Eleven opponent.

Moreover, this wasn't his first such drive of the year. At arch rival Notre Dame earlier this season, "Shoelaces" (so-called because he doesn't tie them, even when he plays) led the Maize and Blue on a 72 yard drive, again accounting for every inch of yardage that the Wolverines needed for victory. In that game, Robinson completed 5 of 6 passes for 63 yards and scampered into the endzone with the game winning TD with 0:27 on the clock.

Two game winning TD drives. On the Road. In Five Games. Not bad. Yet, his stats are even more impressive than his clutch play.

As a runner, Robinson has been unstoppable. He leads the nation (read again if you didn't get it the first time) with 905 rushing yards and 9 Touchdowns. He already has scoring runs of 87 and 72 yards and he's averaging over 9 yards per carry.

Further, if it's possible, he's been even better as a passer than a runner. He has completed 70% of his passes for 1008 yards, 7 TDs and only 1 INT. This isn't a Gino Torretta offense either; Robinson is averaging 10.5 yards per attempt. Oh, he is also third in the country with a passer rating of 180.0.

Put together, Robinson has accounted for over 1900 yards of offense by himself. That's more than 81 TEAM'S in D-1A (67%).

Of course, there is still 1/2 a season to play and as Michigan's competition gets stiffer, the numbers won't be as gaudy. But, it must be remembered that all of Robinson's competition for the sport's most prized trophy will also be playing conference foes the rest of the way. Moreover, nothing to this point in Robinson's game has showed signs that he will soon be slowing down.

The only sad thing is that Robinson's numbers could be even better. After all, his stats were only so-so (by his standards) against Bowling Green. He was 4/4 for 60 yards passing, and had 5 carries for 129 yards and 2 Touchdowns. In the games FIRST NINE MINUTES. Then he got hurt and had to leave the game. He was on pace to gain 1260 yards by himself. And I don't doubt he could've almost gotten there, considering Michigan totaled about 300 yards in his absence.

Feel free to doubt my conclusion now. But when he strikes "the pose" in New York City this December, don't say I didn't call it.

Edited to Add: Robinson is the first player in NCAA history to have two games in one season in which he passed for over 200 yards and rushed for 200 yards.