CHUCK POWELL

Like it or not, Johnny Manziel is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy

Sep 17, 2013, 3:53 PM | Updated: 3:54 pm

In a world dominated by gadgetry, social media and Ritalin prescriptions, I no longer expect the national conversation to remain in the same gear for long.

People are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing, because the current big thing has been talked to death already, and anyone who states LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world is five years late to a crowded party.

People want to host their own party. That’s what Twitter is, you know. I was the first to tweet that story, or the first to read the tweet that broke that story, or at the very least the first to retweet the story to co-workers who would clearly be toiling in the dark were I not there to show them the light.

But there are limits to what I’m going to accept from my fellow media members in this age of needing everyone to know “I said it first.”

Anyone who came away from Alabama-Texas A&M Saturday chirping that any player other than Johnny Manziel is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy simply wasn’t watching Saturday’s game and is trying way too hard to be cutting edge.

I know Johnny Football has had a bit of a rough go with his personal decisions as of late. I’m not defending his actions off the field. I’m pretty sure he shouldn’t be eligible. However, the NCAA ruled he can play. And when the guy plays, he’s better than anyone else in college football.

Manziel threw for 562 yards, put 42 points, and five touchdowns. Versus Alabama? Versus Nick Saban? Versus one of the five best defensive football minds in the world who was undoubtedly trying to prove a point that no player can embarrass my defense two games in a row?

Consider yourself embarrassed, Sabes. Consider yourself Manzieled. Poise, tenacity, ingenuity, athleticism, confidence, improved arm strength — Number 2 had it all on display Saturday.

“He’s taken twenty years off my life,” said Saban of Manziel, an acknowledgement that he’s never had a more difficult time trying to stop a player. You could see it in the legendary coach’s face. He knows the Tide was lucky to win. He was thanking the football gods for the invention of the deflected pass. And he was fortunate Aggies’ head coach Kevin Sumlin didn’t wise up and onside kick after every score. Because that’s exactly what he should have done.

Alabama wasn’t going to stop Manziel again. That game could have extended into eight quarters of play, and A&M would have scored on every possession. Of course, the Aggie defense couldn’t stop Alabama either, couldn’t stop the best offensive line in college football, couldn’t stop the best offensive talent from top to bottom in college football. And although Tide quarterback AJ McCarron is a huge part of that, there is no earthly way he or anyone else should surpass Manziel as the Heisman favorite. Not after that display. Strike it from your mind.

If the Heisman is still awarded to the best player in college football, Manziel left no doubt Saturday as to who that is. And until he proves otherwise, I don’t want to hear talking heads, like the admittedly talented Kirk Herbstreit, shoving any other names ahead of Johnny Football just because they wanted to “say if first”.

Chuck Powell

Follow @AZSports...

Arizona Sports

College football just can’t get it right

What’s wrong with college football executives? Why do they always get it wrong? The word college is synonymous with higher learning. And the people in positions of power at universities are supremely educated. They possess extreme intelligence. And yet, time and again they prove they couldn’t tell Coke from Pepto-Bismol in a blind taste test. […]

11 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

Game plan for Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle? Get boring

You want to beat the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night? Bore them to death. I realize that Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians loves the deep passing game, putting in wrinkles like Patrick Peterson at wideout and having an overall aggressive approach offensively, but he needs to quit on all that this week. It’s time to […]

11 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

Ellington may be boost Cards’ offense needs

It’s not always greedy to ask for more. Sometimes it’s simply the right thing to do. Oliver Twist asked for more gruel and touched off a meaningful rebellion. Bruce Dickinson asked for more cowbell and the Blue Oyster Cult soared into stardom. So, don’t be ashamed, Cardinals fans, to ask for more Andre Ellington. It […]

11 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

49ers’ reliance on Frank Gore may have turned their season around

It’s nearly Halloween. And what’s Halloween without a little Gore? Apparently, San Francisco got the message after their ghoulish performances against Seattle and Indianapolis. The reigning NFC Champs were outscored 56-10 in back-to-back games in September. The offensive output was pathetic enough for veteran running back Frank Gore to raise his hand and say, “hey, […]

11 years ago

Follow @AZSports...

Arizona Sports

Are the Arizona Diamondbacks really interested in David Price?

David Price is preparing himself for the inevitable. He’s getting traded. The low-budget Tampa Bay Rays can’t afford to keep the star pitcher once he becomes a free agent. So, despite Price’s love affair with the team that drafted him number one overall in 2005, he has his bags packed and set by the door. […]

11 years ago

Follow @AZSports...

Arizona Sports

Why part with Charles Nagy AND Ian Kennedy?

I’m not surprised by Tuesday’s announcement that Charles Nagy has been fired as the Diamondbacks’ pitching coach. Coaches come and coaches go, and the staffs of teams that finish .500 and blow nine game leads are rarely extended the luxury of returning in tact. However, what I do find curious is why Ian Kennedy was […]

11 years ago

Like it or not, Johnny Manziel is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy