Christian Ponder For Heisman?

Just how long can Christian Ponder keep bailing out Florida State’s non-existent defense? And can the FSU quarterback get any Heisman love? Those are the questions SBN’s Tomahawk Nation tackles in the wake of last night’s furious comeback win over UNC. From Tomahawk Nation:

If you don’t think FSU is one of the best 5 offenses in the country, you need to wake up. Think a bit smarter and realize the opponent quality when you look at the production. FSU didn’t get cupcakes this year.

- No offense has scored more points against Miami than FSU.
- Florida State’s 54 points against BYU is 26 more than the next closest effort by any other team against the Cougars.
- Fisher’s offense dropped 44 on Georgia Tech; no other team has even cracked 35 on the Jackets, and the one who cracked 30 was Mississippi State who did it in garbage time (31 points).
- And you saw the figures from above. FSU put up 30% more yards per play than anyone else did against UNC. And of course they set new season highs for points allowed and yards allowed by UNC.

Also, Ponder is a Heisman candidate. Seriously, is there a better QB right now? Tebow’s not playing better. Neither is McCoy. I’ll give you Clausen, maybe.

There aren’t 20 defenses in the country worse than FSU. Literally, they belong outside the top 100. They are probably worse than even the most pessimistic of fans realize. Every team sets their season high against FSU’s defense!

Unfortunately for Ponder, Heisman voters treat the coveted stiff-arm statue the same way baseball writers approach the MVP award and Cy Young: team success is usually the biggest factor. So while Tebow and McCoy have had statistically underwhelming seasons by their lofty standards, they figure to remain the frontrunners as long as their teams remain on a collision course for the BCS Championship game. That said, Ponder does deserve some recognition.

As for FSU fans, this season must feel like a bizarro version of some of their recent years. Over the last decade, the ’Noles have been stacked on defense with first-round picks like Ernie Sims and Kamerion Wimbley, but have struggled offensively due to poor quarterback and offensive line play (hello Chris Rix). Now that the situation is completely reversed. At the very least, ’Noles fans should feel better about Jimbo Fisher being the head-coach-in-waiting.