Colt Brennan: The Case for Heisman

I don't understand why Colt Brennan doesn't get more love. Hawaii is 2nd in the nation in passing yards per game, with 450.9 (They did lead the nation, but Brennan sat out all but two snaps against Fresno State, dropping his average.) This guy holds 25 NCAA records! He recently broke the record for all-time touchdown passes, beating Ty Detmer's (BYU) 121 career mark. And still, no love. I guess it all starts with his team.

The Hawaii Warriors are the only undefeated team in the nation, and still aren't in the top 10. Florida, a 3-loss team, ranks higher. All the talk about their schedule is what's keeping them down. Out of 119 BCS teams, Hawaii's schedule strength is ranked 119th. So what? No victory is given. Everyone has to be earned. Hawaii has earned all of their victories. Don't give me this schedule strength bullshit. Give them some love.

As for Colt, he should already have a Heisman in his hands. Let's look at his numbers from last year:

• 58 Touchdown passes, an NCAA single-season record
• 186.0 pass efficiency rating, and NCAA record
• Was the team's second leading rusher with 366 yards and 5 TD's
• Responsible for 384 points, an NCAA record
• 14 games gaining 400+ yards, an NCAA record

That's just some of his numbers. Despite all that, he still came in 6th in the Heisman voting, behind guys like Troy Smith. Troy Smith did nothing to deserve that award. Brennan's most prestigious award? WAC Offensive Player of the Year. Now let's look at this year.

Brennan has thrown for 3,732 yards, with a passer efficiency of 169.1. He's responsibly for 246 points, throwing 33 TD passes. His completion rate is an astounding 70%! Earlier this year, it was at 72%, which led the nation. He's been the WAC Player of the Week three times, and is a nominee for the Manning Award, for the nation's best QB. All in all, he's led the nation in 7 statistical passing categories this year. He's also accomplished two major feats:

• Broke the NCAA record for most touchdown passes in a career (121). He now has 126, with one more game to go, followed by a bowl game.
• Broke the NCAA record for most career touchdowns. He is at 141, with two games left in his college career.
• He has also tied the NCAA record for most touchdown passes by a quarterback-wide receiver combination, getting number 39 to Davone Bess. With two games left, that is almost another record he is sure to break.

Along with all the NCAA records, he has broken or set 17 WAC records, and 41 school records.

And still, no love.

The Heisman voters should wise up. Don't look at schedule's or opponents, or whatever. The best player in college football should win the Heisman. Quite simply, that's Colt. It shouldn't be any other way.

Thank you Joe #6

Now that it is official, and Joe Torre is not coming back to the Yankees, I have decided to write this, because I will sincerely miss that man behind the helm.

For as long as I can remember, Joe Torre has always been the manager of the New York Yankees. And that's the way I liked it. It's going to be hard to see the Yankees play without their dedicated skipper on the bench. In many cases, I don't think of him just as the Yankees manager, rather, I think of him as my manager. I love Torre so much, that it is so hard to say goodbye. I about had tears running down my face at the announcement that he turned down his offer. Since becoming a manager in 1977, he has recorded 2,067 wins. He is 9th on the all time managerial wins list.

Joe Torre's managing career didn't start so hot. From 1977 until 1995, he had lost 1,003 career games, as opposed to only 894 wins. When he joined the Yankees in 1996, the New York media shunned him, saying his hiring was a mistake, even calling him "Clueless Joe." Boy were they wrong. In 12 years with the Yankees, Torre compiled these stats:

• Led team to playoffs in each of his 12 years there.
• Compiled 1,173 wins, passing Casey Stengel for number one on the Yankees all-time win list.
• AL Manager of the year in 1996 and 1998.
• Won 10 division titles, including 9 in a row.
• Won 6 pennants.
• Won 4 World Series titles.

In his first five seasons, the Yankees won the World Series 4 times, making them a dynasty. Torre's name will forever be linked to that dynasty, and will always be considered one of the greatest Yankee managers of all time.

Joe Torre was more than just the coach of the Yankees; he was the coach of the Yankee fans. We all knew and felt his heartbreak when his brother Rocco passed away unexpectedaly in the 1996 season. We were all scared and worried when Torre was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1999. When told of that news, many of his players wept. Many fans wept as well. We all prayed for his brother Frank to receive a successful heart transplant, in which he did.

Joe Torre is more than just a manager. He is the favorite man on the bench for Yankee fans. He is the leader of our favorite team, who is doing all he can to get them to victory. It will hurt seeing him in Dodgers blue this year, but as long as he is happy, I will be happy. I will never forget everything he did for the Yankees, and will never condem him for the things he didn't do. He will always be the number 1 Yankees manager in my heart, and will always be the best.

Thank you Joe. For everyting.