Walter Payton Winner?

[hawkssb04]

Based on stats and team performance, i've ranked all the Payton candidates in order from most deserving to win, to least deserving.

1. Armanti Edwards: QB Appalachian State (1,999 pass yds, 22 pass tds, 2 int, 176.69 qb rating, 786 rush yds, 9 rush tds, 8-2 record)
2. Cameron Higgins: QB Weber State (3,479 pass yds, 33 pass tds, 8 int, 178.61 qb rating, -72 rush yds, 1 rush td, 9-2 record)
3. David Sinisi: RB Monmouth (1,500 rush yds, 19 rush tds, 5.7 ypc, 94 rec yds, 0 rec tds, 6-4 record)
4. Rodney Landers: QB James Madison (938 pass yds, 11 pass tds, 3 int, 163.6 qb rating, 1,115 rush yds, 10 rush tds, 8-1 record)
5. Rashad Jennings: RB Liberty (1,342 rush yds, 15 rush td, 5.9 ypc, 124 rec yds, 2 rec tds, 8-2 record)
6. Nathan Brown: QB Central Arkansas (2,626 pass yds, 27 pass tds, 3 int, 165.70 qb rating, 98 rush yds, 0 rush tds, 8-2 record)
7. Herb Donaldson: RB Western Illinois (1,306 rush yds, 17 rush tds, 5.4 ypc, 72 rec yds, 1 rec td, 5-4 record)
8. Ramses Barden: WR Cal Poly (996 rec yds, 13 rec tds, 20.3 ypc, 7-1 record)
9. Dominic Randolph: QB Holy Cross (3,100 pass yds, 28 pass tds, 14 int, 139.81 qb rating, 76 rush yds, 4 rush tds, 6-3 record)
10. Andre Roberts: WR The Citadel (1,152 rec yds, 14 rec tds, 14.2 ypc, 3-7 record)
11. Rhett Bomar: QB Sam Houston State (2,512 pass yds, 22 pass tds, 9 int, 141.86 qb rating, 150 rush yds, 3 rush tds, 4-4 record)
12. Liam Coen: QB Massachusetts (2,459 pass yds, 21 pass tds, 10 int, 148.45 qb rating, 2 rush yds, 2 rush tds, 6-4 record)
13. Jordan Scott: RB Colgate (972 rush yds, 11 rush tds, 5.7 ypc, 26 rec yds, 0 rec tds, 8-2 record)
14. Terrell Hudgins: WR Elon (1,043 rec yds, 9 rec tds, 13.7 ypc, 8-2 record)
15. Matt Nichols: QB Eastern Washington (2,705 pass yds, 17 pass tds, 11 int, 131.46 qb rating, -17 rush yds, 3 rush tds, 4-5 record)
16. Mike McLeod: RB Yale (642 rush yds, 6 rush tds, 3.3 ypc, 89 rec yds, 0 rec tds, 5-3 record)

Should be considered, but aren't nominated candidates

Jeremy Moses: QB Stephen F. Austin (3,416 pass yds, 37 pass tds, 15 int, 134.33 qb rating, -58 rush yds, 1 rush td, 4-6 record)
Trevyn Smith: RB Weber State (1,173 rush yds, 15 rush tds, 5.0 ypc, 552 rec yds, 5 rec tds, 9-2 record)

[I Bleed Purple]

Feels kind of odd seeing actual posts with Weber State helmets that aren't mine. A good thing, I guess. My avatar is no longer unique.

"Occupation:
WSU Signpost Sports Editor"

Didn't your reporter get blasted for the Etuati thing?

EDIT: Ah, much better.

[uofmman1122]

Hmmmmmm.....xreadx

Catches | Yards | TD | Avg | Record

Terrel Hudgins (Payton Award Candidate)
76 | 1043 | 9 | 13.7 | 8-2

Marc Mariani (Not Payton Award Candidate)
50 | 961 | 13 | 19.2 | 9-1

Something just doesn't smell right...

xreadxxreadxxreadxxreadxxreadx

[Silenoz]

Went with Edwards, most feared player in FCS



Jeremy Moses: QB Stephen F. Austin (3,416 pass yds, 37 pass tds, 15 int, 134.33 qb rating

Still don't see how Dally and Bergquist aren't on the watch list

[GolfingGriz]

Higgins
Great numbers on a very good team.

[asucrutch23]

Once all the App State posters wake up I have a feeling where this poll is going...xnodx xnodx

[uofmman1122]

More interesting things....

xreadxxreadxxreadx

Att. | Comp. | Yards | TD | INT | Carries | Yards | TD | Avg. | Total TD

Matt Nichols (Payton Award Candidate)
367 | 233 | 2705 | 17 | 11 | 40 | -17 | 3 | -0.4 | 20
QB Rating: 131.46

Cole Bergquist (Not Payton Award Candidate)
233 | 153 | 2224 | 22 | 4 | 105 | 186 | 5 | 1.8 | 27
QB Rating: 173.57

xreadxxreadxxreadxxreadx

[GolfingGriz]

More interesting things....

xreadxxreadxxreadx

Att. | Comp. | Yards | TD | INT | Carries | Yards | TD | Avg. | Total TD

Matt Nichols (Payton Award Candidate)
367 | 233 | 2705 | 17 | 11 | 40 | -17 | 3 | -0.4 | 20
QB Rating: 131.46

Cole Bergquist (Not Payton Award Candidate)
233 | 153 | 2224 | 22 | 4 | 105 | 186 | 5 | 18.6 | 27
QB Rating: 173.57

xreadxxreadxxreadxxreadx


Not completely sure but it doesn't seem they are removing players from the list that obviously don't belong there anymore. Anyone can see, even an EWU homer, that Cole is the better QB this year.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Hmmmmmm.....xreadx

Something just doesn't smell right...

xreadxxreadxxreadxxreadxxreadx

So take a shower. Being in Japan doesn't excuse you. xsmiley_wix

[Tod]

More interesting things....

xreadxxreadxxreadx

Att. | Comp. | Yards | TD | INT | Carries | Yards | TD | Avg. | Total TD

Matt Nichols (Payton Award Candidate)
367 | 233 | 2705 | 17 | 11 | 40 | -17 | 3 | -0.4 | 20
QB Rating: 131.46

Cole Bergquist (Not Payton Award Candidate)
233 | 153 | 2224 | 22 | 4 | 105 | 186 | 5 | 18.6 | 27
QB Rating: 173.57

xreadxxreadxxreadxxreadx

Maybe I'm just not a math whiz, but I don't think these two figures are using the same criteria...

[thmst30]

Based on stats and team performance, i've ranked all the Payton candidates in order from most deserving to win, to least deserving.

1. Armanti Edwards: QB Appalachian State (1,999 pass yds, 22 pass tds, 2 int, 176.69 qb rating, 786 rush yds, 9 rush tds, 8-2 record)
2. Cameron Higgins: QB Weber State (3,479 pass yds, 33 pass tds, 8 int, 178.61 qb rating, -72 rush yds, 1 rush td, 9-2 record)
Thats why Armanti should have an edge, but it could still be very close in the final voting.

[coover]

Add to the "Should be considered but not nominated." Jonathan Dally, QB, Cal Poly. Barden needs him as much as Dally needs Barden.

But I've voted for Barden. If you haven't seen "the Beast", you've missed a lot.

[Tod]

Thats why Armanti should have an edge, but it could still be very close in the final voting.

But who's responsible for more yards and TD's? Armanti might win on style, but right now Higgins wins (just slightly) on substance.

OTOH, WSU has one game to play, ASU has two.

Good year for both, and you can't ignore the others. xnodx xnodx xnodx

[I Bleed Purple]

Does the award consider playoff performance or is it a regular season award?

[DLS]

where's the stat category for clutchness and strength of schedule?

[uofmman1122]

Maybe I'm just not a math whiz, but I don't think these two figures are using the same criteria...Hmmm....

You're right. I pulled Nichols's stats from the TSN website, and Bergquist's from UM's (obviously, since Cole isn't a contender, he wouldn't be on the TSN website)

Edit: After checking goeags.cstv.com and montanagrizzlies.com again, they use the exact same format, and here are the rushing stats:

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Cole Bergquist 10 105 460 274 186 1.8 5 35 18.6
Matt Nichols 9 40 108 125 -17 -0.4 3 10 -1.9

And it seems I found my error, and I'll correct it:

For some reason, I put Cole's season avg. as his avg. per game. My bad. xlolx

Still doesn't change the fact that Nichols has no business being on there over Bergquist.

[AppStsGr8]

Once all the App State posters wake up I have a feeling where this poll is going...xnodx xnodx

OK, finally woke up ... have to agree with you on this one.

[danefan]

I went with Edwards.

Also should be considered but isn't nominated and would likely end up at about 3 or 4 on your ranking list:

David McCarty RB, Albany
1477 rushing yds, (5 yd avg, 147.7 yds per game), 8 tds
341 receiving yds, 4tds

[neersnbeers]

AE. He's just flat out dangerous in all situations. Plus the fact that he's breaking records with just about every game.

[GannonFan]

Edwards wins this in a walk. Easily the most dangerous dual threat QB out there, and is TD/Int ratio is pretty impressive. Without Edwards, Appy St might not even make the playoffs - with him, they are the favorites to win it all, again. Shouldn't even bother inviting other people to Chatty, Edwards is a lock. xthumbsupx

[SideLine Shooter]

Like I have said before, I just don't think a player from App St. can win this award.

[Appfan_in_CAAland]

Where are all the JMU people lying about how much they would rather have Landers than Edwards?

[gbhmt]

If Edwards performs how he's been in the playoffs, it's his. If it's based solely on regular season, Higgins takes the cake.

[gmoney55]

Like I have said before, I just don't think a player from App St. can win this award.

Just wondering, based on what. App State has won Buchanan and Robinson awards in the past, and the SoCon has done well in the Payton voting.

[DLS]

If Edwards performs how he's been in the playoffs, it's his. If it's based solely on regular season, Higgins takes the cake.

pretty sure it is only regular season since AE was not considered last year due to missing 4 regular season games.

also higgins would only win if it was based solely on stats.

[hawkssb04]

Feels kind of odd seeing actual posts with Weber State helmets that aren't mine. A good thing, I guess. My avatar is no longer unique.

"Occupation:
WSU Signpost Sports Editor"

Didn't your reporter get blasted for the Etuati thing?

EDIT: Ah, much better.

Yeah, the editor in chief did. She broke the story over all the professional papers. She rocks!

[rcny46]

I was thinking that this should be pretty much a unanimous decision for AE.He is absolutely in a class by himself,and he is the best QB in all of college football IMO.

[hawkssb04]

If Edwards performs how he's been in the playoffs, it's his. If it's based solely on regular season, Higgins takes the cake.

Yeah, that's a tough one to call. Last years Payton Winner Jayson Foster played for Georgia Southern who didn't even make the playoffs. The 2006 winner Ricky Santos played on a New Hampshire squad that went into the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. I'd love to see Higgins win it, but the East-coast bias always plays a heavy factor in things such as this and the FCS polls/rankings, so it'll likely go to Edwards, barring a massive loss towards season's end for Appalachian State.

[gmoney55]

Yeah, that's a tough one to call. Last years Payton Winner Jayson Foster played for Georgia Southern who didn't even make the playoffs. The 2006 winner Ricky Santos played on a New Hampshire squad that went into the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. I'd love to see Higgins win it, but the East-coast bias always plays a heavy factor in things such as this and the FCS polls/rankings, so it'll likely go to Edwards, barring a massive loss towards season's end for Appalachian State.

Look at how Big Sky and Cal Poly players have done in the voting, and tell me with a straight face that there is an East Coast Bias. If anything the percentage of winners to schools for Western teams is definitely higher than Eastern.

[yosef1969]

Just wondering, based on what. App State has won Buchanan and Robinson awards in the past, and the SoCon has done well in the Payton voting.

I agree, I don't think there's an anti-ASU faction conspiring to keep any of the post season award out of the hands of ASU players.
Dexter Coakley won the Buchanan the first two years it existed and legitimate arguments could have been made for guys like Josh Jefferies, Jason Hunter or Corey Lynch but no obvious slights.

No App State player has ever won the Payton. But I don't think there's been an offensive player that's deserved it until this year either. Had it been around when John Settle was playing my opinion would be different.

[appstate1998]

Where is the minutes played per game stat.

I'm just not a stat guy for awards as much as performance. If AE wanted too, and he played the whole game against UTC...he could have probably added another 200 plus yards rushing and who knows how many passing. Plus how many QB's had to face the defending FBS national champion as their first game.

That first game brings AE's stats down...155 yards in the air and 23 on the ground, and the Jacksonville game...we won't go there

[AppAlum2003]

Where is the minutes played per game stat.

I'm just not a stat guy for awards as much as performance. If AE wanted too, and he played the whole game against UTC...he could have probably added another 200 plus yards rushing and who knows how many passing. Plus how many QB's had to face the defending FBS national champion as their first game.

That first game brings AE's stats down...155 yards in the air and 23 on the ground

The correct answer is 3:

Armanti didn't have 3/4 of a second with the ball to do anything because of LSUs D-line.

Deandre Presley looked pretty good late in the game against the 3 - 4 star "backups" for LSU.

Hunter Stewart fumbled every snap and literally pooed his pants.

[appstate1998]

The correct answer is 3:

Armanti didn't have 3/4 of a second with the ball to do anything because of LSUs D-line.

Deandre Presley looked pretty good late in the game against the 3 - 4 star "backups" for LSU.

Hunter Stewart fumbled every snap and literally pooed his pants.

he also about lost his head several times...his helmet has more yards rushing against LSU than Burchette had his entire senior season

[GolfingGriz]

Where is the minutes played per game stat.

I'm just not a stat guy for awards as much as performance. If AE wanted too, and he played the whole game against UTC...he could have probably added another 200 plus yards rushing and who knows how many passing. Plus how many QB's had to face the defending FBS national champion as their first game.

That first game brings AE's stats down...155 yards in the air and 23 on the ground, and the Jacksonville game...we won't go there

Higgins played two FBS teams and Weber has had plenty of blowouts. Using less playing time as an advantage for AE is flawed.

[BEAR]

This is another "how many fans of one certain team can vote for their guy" poll. There are more App fans on here so Edwards is going to get more votes. xcoffeex

[appstate1998]

Time played in the game most certainly should be considered. Whether it favors Armanti or Higgins I don't care but if you look at the bottom feeders from both conferences.

1-9 UTC
0-10 Idaho State

AE didn't play a down in the second half and had 328 total yards. Higgins was still throwing in the fourth quarter and had 379 total yards. So I think you can make a case that time played in a game can factor in decision making for an award. Same way with rushing, defensive awards etc. Higgins is a great QB and has had some huge games throwing this year, but is he the best offensive player in the FCS....in my opinion no, that would be AE.

[Peems]

Higgins could get the nod, if you look at what the Weber team has done this year. Expectations weren't nearly as high for Weber and he has totally surpassed them and shows no signs of slowing down. Right now though AE gets the nod xnodx

[MaxASU'81]

This is another "how many fans of one certain team can vote for their guy" poll. There are more App fans on here so Edwards is going to get more votes. xcoffeex

As for this ASU person....you can keep the Payton....I'd like to have 2 more FCS National Championships with AE.

The arguments already made on this board....regular vs. post season....whole season.....whole games.....players rested.....games agains FBS......"and Hunter Stewart pooooed"........ I say pooo on the individual awards....the Not For Long could care less!

Just win baby!

[appstate1998]

As for this ASU person....you can keep the Payton....I'd like to have 2 more FCS National Championships with AE.

The arguments already made on this board....regular vs. post season....whole season.....whole games.....players rested.....games agains FBS......"and Hunter Stewart pooooed"........ I say pooo on the individual awards....the Not For Long could care less!

Just win baby!

I retract all my arguments and follow MaxAsu81's lead....xthumbsupx

[gbhmt]

It seems simple. Whichever team out of App or Weber that advances farther in the playoffs deserves it.

[Skjellyfetti]

It seems simple. Whichever team out of App or Weber that advances farther in the playoffs deserves it.

It's only regular season... which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[gbhmt]

It's only regular season... which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Yeah. I just think that's who would deserve it. As to who gets it, who knows.

[BeauFoster]

Yeah. I just think that's who would deserve it. As to who gets it, who knows.

Just like the Heisman...voting takes place before all games are completed, which is pooh.

[uofmman1122]

Just like the Heisman...voting takes place before all games are completed, which is pooh.Indeed.

If they counted the playoffs last year, Armanti would have won it handily. Likewise, Craig Ochs would have won it in 2004 under the same criteria.

Oh well.