One final commentary on the stupid Heisman. As Championship Saturday wore on, I grew more and more frustrated with the ABC commentators and their Heisman debates. Everyone and their brother had an opinion: but there were only two. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. I hate how the media have painted this as a two horse race, without cause. So, although Peyton has it sewn up, here is why I would not vote for either of them:

Charles Woodson

I think it is great that a defensive player is being considered. What I don't get is: why Woodson? A lot is made about how he is this two way player, but the fact of the matter is, he only has 11 receptions on the season, one per game. Yes he is a decent punt returner, but he is by no means best in the nation. Yes, he is a great cover guy, but as good as he has been in big games, he did allow a touchdown pass in the Ohio State game.

What really stands out, though, is that he is a cornerback who plays in a rushing conference. Of the top 25 teams in Division I-A in passing yards per game, only one is a Big Ten team: Purdue. How did Woodson do against Purdue? Michigan did not play Purdue. Okay, who is next? Ohio State, the 29th best passing team in the country. Woodson gave up the aforementioned TD. After that? Penn State, #50, Indiana, #51, Iowa, #71... on down to Minnesota (#90) and Wisconsin (#91). Non conference? Colorado (#35), Notre Dame (#75), and Baylor (#96). Add to that that teams generally avoid throwing to Woodson's side of the field and you wonder just how much he has been tested.

I have no doubt he is a great player, but I can't see how he is the breakthrough guy who finally snares a Heisman on the defensive side of the ball. Given the lack of a passing attack vs. Michigan this year, who's to say he is better than other players with a similar number of interceptions who face better wide receivers? (Patrick Surtain, Teako Brown, Samari Rolle, Fred Weary, Cedric Donaldson, Brian Lee, Paul Jackson, Donovin Darius, Dre Bly, etc.)

Peyton Manning

He is not the best quarterback in the country, by any metric. Scott Frost and Brian Griese have more wins. Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch have more yards and played one less game. Mike Bobo and Tim Couch have higher completion percentages (among others). And if you like the pass efficiency metric, Manning ranks 14th, more than 20 points off the leader. Above him are guys like Cade McNown, Ryan Leaf, Joe Germaine, Brock Huard, Mike Bobo, Donovan McNabb, Graham Leigh, Moses Moreno, Chad Pennington, and Thad Busby.

Numerically, he is the third best QB in his own conference. Realistically, he is among the top 5 nationally and an outstanding pro prospect, though he can be criticized for a lack of mobility, feet shuffling, and panicking under pressure. The guy who seems to have it most in terms of yards per game, wins, consistency, and pass efficiency is Ryan Leaf, not Peyton Manning. Leaf upends him in each case. So don't tell me this is a two horse race. You can make your case for a running back somewhere, I suppose, or go Orlando Pace ridiculous and chose Flozell Adams or something, but don't pick either of the two contenders. Please.

Go Florida. Go Nebraska. Go (sorry John) Ohio State!