Brock Huard's Road To The Heisman

Sep 2, 1998

Percy Allen

Seattle Times Reporter

The odds are against Brock Huard's bid to become Washington's first Heisman Trophy winner. He's fighting history (no Pac-10 winner in past 17 years), the East Coast bias, the lack of visibility and a host of quality competition. Not to mention he plays for a team picked to finish third in the conference. For Huard to win, miracles need to happen. We've plotted his course and provided a guideline if Huard is to ever meet the Heisman.

1 Sept. 5 at Arizona State

What Huard needs to do Most serious Heisman campaigns begins with a bang.

Does UW have to win? Yes . Ohio State (LB Andy Katzenmover) at West Virginia (RB Amos Zereoue).

2. Sept. 19 vs BYU

What Huard needs to do Huskies will want to run, but Huard needs a few TDs.

Does UW have to win? No Other Heisman matchup: Texas (RB Ricky Williams) at Kansas State (QB Michael Bishop))

3. Sept. 26 at Nebraska

What Huard needs to do Network Tv; voters will be watching 300-plus yards.

Does UW have to win? Essential . Other Heisman matchup: Kentucky (QB) Tim Couch at Florida.

4. Oct. 3 vs. Arizona

What Huard need to do The hype is on. Momentum is building. The race is won in October.

Does UW have to win? No

Other Heisman matchup: Arizona State (RB J.R. Redmond) at USC.

5. Oct 10 vs Utah State

What Huard needs to do Beginning of Key Heisman stretch. Pile it on. Career day.

Does UW have to win? Yes . Other Heisman matchup: LSU (RB Kevin Faulk) at Florida.

6. Oct. 17 vs. California

What Huard needs to do Huard jumps to top of race with 400 yards and 4 TDs.

Does UW have to win? Yes .

Other Heisman matchup: Kentucky (Couch) at LSU (Faulk) .

7. Oct. 24 vs. Oregon State

What Huard needs to do Last of the big-number days, so make it a good one.

Does UW have to win? Yes . Other Heisman matchup: Central Florida (QB Duante culpeppeer) at SW Louisiana .

8. Oct. 31 at USC

What Huard needs to do Just win baby. Voters recognize USC as Pac-10 royalty. Beat the Trojans, you're in.

Does UW have to win? Yes . Other Heisman matchup: North Carolina (DB) Dre' Bly) at Florida State .

9. Nov 7 at Oregon

What Huard need to do This one is personal, but rest of country doesn't care.

Does UW have to win? No . Other Heisman matchup: Syracuse (QB Donovan McNabb) at West Virginia (Zereoue)..

10. Nov 14 vs. UCLA

What Huard needs to do Huard must win Heisman showdown with UCLA's McNown.

Does UW have to win? Essential . Other Heisman matchup: Wisconsin (RB Ron Dayne) at Michigan.

11. Nov 21 at WSU

What Huard needs to do Last impression goes far. Pullman weather will keep numbers down.

Does UW have to win? Yes . Other Heisman matchup: Michigan at Ohio State (Katzenmover) .

17-year drought It's been nearly two decades since USC running back Marcus Allen won the Heisman Trophy in 1981, the last Pac-10 player to win the award. Many others have tried, but their campaigns fell short for several reasons.

1982

John Elway (Stanford) finished 2nd to Herschel Walker (Georgia) .

1983 Steve Pelluer (UW) did not place. Mike Rozier (Nebraska) won.

1984 Rueben Mayes (WSU) finished 10th to Doug Flutie (Boston College) .

1984 Mayes (WSU) did not place. Bo Jackson (Auburn) won.

1986

Brad Muster (Stanford) did not place. Vinny Testaverde (Miami) won .

1987 Gaston Green (UCLA) finished 8th to Tim Brown (Notre Dame) .

1988

Rodney Peete (USC) finished 2nd to Barry Sanders (Okla. State) .

1989 Steve Broussard (WSU) did not place. Andre Ware (Houston) won.

1990 Greg Lewis (UW) finished 7th to Ty Detmer (Brigham Young).

1991 Steve Emtman (UW) finished 4th to Desmond Howard (Michigan).

1992 Drew Bledsoe (WSU) finished 8th to Gino Torretta (Miami) .

1993 J.J. Stokes (UCLA) finished 7th to Charlie Ward (Florida State) .

1994 Napoleon Kaufman (UW) finished 9th to Rashaan Salaam (Colorado) . 1995 Keyshawn Johnson (USC) finished 7th to Eddie George (Ohio State) .

1996 Jake Plummer (ASU) finished 3rd to Danny Wuerffel (Florida) .

1997 Ryan Leaf (WSU) finished 3rd to Charles Woodson (Michigan)

Heisman is first and formest a recognition award. You have to have a great career to get it. Almost never can do it with jsut one season. ------------------------------- 5 reasons why Brock Huard will win the Heisman Trophy

1. Pac-10 has been close the past two years with QBs. 2. Huard for Heisman. Nice ring to it. 3. It's about damn time. 4. God is on his side. 5. ESPN loves him.

5 reasons why Brock Huard won't win the Heisman Trophy

1. This time Nebraska knocks him out for two games. 2. West Coast vote split between Huard and McNown. 4. Supporting cast isn't so supporting. 3. Huskies finish 7-4. Again. 5. ESPN analyst Beano Cook loves him.