Will Tyrann Mathieu Do To Andrew Luck, What Charles Woodson Did To Peyton Manning?

In my opinion there are several interesting parallels between this year's Heisman race and in 1997 when the front runners were Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson.  That year Woodson became the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy as his alma mater The University of Michigan also claimed the National Championship, while Tennessee finished the regular season ranked third and were blown out by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl 42-17.  Interestingly enough both Manning and Woodson have put together incredible pro careers with each earning Super Bowl rings and are likely future Hall of Famers.

I find the connection in the Heisman Trophy race between Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck and LSU Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, aka "The Honey Badger ", very similar to that of between Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson in 1997.  Luck is considered the best quarterback pro prospect since Manning, while Mathieu displays many of the big play characteristics that Woodson did.  Much like Woodson and playing the same position,  Mathieu has shown a knack for making big plays, including both turning turnovers into touchdowns and serving as a special teams threat. 

The circumstances between the teams are also very similar.  Just like Woodson's 1997 Michigan Wolverines defeated Washington State in the Rose Bowl for the National Championship, it is Mathieu's Bayou Bengals that are playing for the BCS Trophy.  Similarily, Luck's Stanford Cardinal team is playing for 3rd place against Oklahoma State in The Fiesta Bowl, as Manning's Volunteers did in a losing effort against Nebraska in the 1997 Orange Bowl. 

Of course the big difference is that Manning and Woodson are considered frontrunners.  Luck and Mathieu are not.  The surprising favorite is Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin III.  Griffin has put up astonomical numbers during his career while greatly elevating the Baylor Bears football program.  I am a fan of Griffin too.  I wonder though if he would still be considered a Heisman candidate if he had gone against SEC defenses each week. 

However, the best athlete of the Heisman finalists in my opinion is Alabama RB Trent Richardson. Richardson runs with the charge and fury of a bustin' bronco bull as the gate is open during a rodeo.  His combination of strength and speed remind me very much of that of Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson.  Howeve,r hurting Richardson's chances are that Alabama had a Heisman just two years ago in Mark Ingram, and that he was held scoreless in the Crimson Tide's loss to LSU.

So the big question between Mathieu and Luck is not whether Mathieu will swipe the Heisman from Luck, like Woodson did to Manning in 1997?  But, whether he will just beat Luck in the voting.  However, the Honey Badger does just takes what he wants.  We know that he wants interceptions, fumbles and Cobras.  We'll see tonight if the Honey Badger takes a Heisman Trophy too.