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Commentary: Quarterbacks starting to dominate Heisman ballot

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 9:48 PM Wednesday, November 30, 2011

When I’m voting for the Heisman Trophy each season, I try to pick players who had the biggest impact on the top teams. They say the NFL is a quarterback-driven game, but college football is evolving that way, too, judging at least by my ballot this year.

1. Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts ... er, the Stanford Cardinal. Luck faced massive pressure to live up to the hype as the NFL’s surefire No. 1 pick, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. The Cardinal went 11-1, losing only to Oregon. And if you watched any of his games, it was clear Luck wasn’t surrounded by superior talent.

If Peyton Manning makes a full recovery next season, the Colts don’t have an immediate need at QB. But they’d be nuts to trade the first pick, assuming they end up with the league’s worst record. The cerebral Luck looks to be the next Manning.

2. Russell Wilson of Wisconsin. When the former North Carolina State star decided to spend his last year of eligibility with the Badgers, the rest of the Big Ten responded with a collective, “Uh-oh.”

The only thing Wisconsin has lacked is a difference-making QB, and Wilson proved he could be that when he finished second in the voting for the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference offensive player of the year award.

If not for two freakish losses — at Michigan State and at Ohio State on desperation passes — the Badgers would be playing in the national title game.

3. Kellen Moore of Boise State. He’s put up ridiculous numbers during his career. Yes, he hasn’t played top competition, but he beat Georgia and Virginia Tech. And Boise no longer is known only as the team with that garish blue field.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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