Why Brady Quinn Will Win The Heisman

This is probably the last place you'd expect to see a prediction that Brady Quinn will win The Heisman Trophy for 2006.

With that photo, Quinn is lucky that "douchebaggery" is not a category that would take votes away in the Heisman, because he would have huge points in this category. But really, it comes down to the coaching style.

With no disrespect to my Michigan cohort, I'm working under the assumption that both Notre Dame and Ohio State will be undefeated and playing for the national championship on January 8. Obviously if Ohio State or Notre Dame loses, this scenario completely changes. But for the sake of argument let's say that they both are undefeated.

So as of the end of November, the race is between the mobile, efficient, deadly Troy Smith and the versatile, long throwing, douchey Brady Quinn.

ESPN.com projections say that Brady Quinn will pass for 3198 yards in 2006, and Troy Smith will throw for 3396 yards. But those numbers alone won't be enough to put Troy ahead. And like I said, it's all about coaching.

Charlie Weis does not let up on his opponents. He's willing to score touchdowns until the end of the 4th quarter, and even when Notre Dame is ahead by 3 touchdowns, Quinn will continue to score and pad his statistics.

Jim Tressel does not operate that way. As we saw in Week One against Northern Illinois, once the Buckeyes were up 28-0, Tressel put his foot on the brakes. And although Smith could be brilliant in 12 games leading to the bowl season, the nature of Ohio State and Jim Tressel's game plans does not lend well to Troy Smith coming up with dazzling plays and overwhelming heroics.

Tressel's theory of gaining a lead in the air and controlling the rest of the game (and the clock) on the ground will work well for us all season. He's a great coach with a great sense for what is needed to win, although not overwhelmingly.

There's also the small issue of the blossoming, almost completely mature love between Notre Dame and the media. Every Notre Dame game is nationally televised, they have the biggest fan base in the nation, and they have a charismatic coach who's not afraid to take chances on gutsy plays when it matters most. Weis is willing to let the spotlight continue on his quarterback, even when the game is in hand.

While looking ahead to ND vs. OSU on January 8, this is just another reason why the Heisman should not be awarded until after the bowl season.