Notre Dame Season Game Ball

[jason_h537]

I am pretty sure how this vote will go but here are the nominees regardless.

Everett Golson: 166-282 for 2135 yards, 11 TD's, 5 int's and a 59% comp. 89 car for 406 yd's and 5 TD's

Theo Riddick: 180 car for 904 yd's and 5 TD's. 35 Rec for 364 yd's and 1 TD

Stephon Tuitt: 42 tkl's, 13 TFL's, 12 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR, and 1 TD

Manti Te'o: 103 tkl's, 5.5 TFL's, 1.5 sacks, 7 int's, and 2 FR

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I'd throw Nix on there, but it's definitely Te'o.

 

[jason_h537]

I'd throw Nix on there, but it's definitely Te'o.

There are a few guys i mulled over, Nix, the O-line, Motta, Jackson, but wanted to keep it at 4 since I have all year.

 

[BobD]

Bob Diaco

 

[jason_h537]

Bob Diaco

 

[BeauBenken]

The guy who deserved the Heisman.

 

[gkautz10]

I agree with Manti, but I voted for Golson. My thinking was that this team would not be 12-0 if Tommy was the starter. I think he brought the play-making dimension to the offense that they so desperately needed. Not arguing against Manti, just stating a case for Everett.

 

[AllGoldEverything]

Manti and Coach Kelly

 

[Old Man Mike]

Pretty stupid thing for me to attempt an answer, but it's a slow time:

1]. Kelly

8]. Diaco

11]. Longo

14]. Nix
15]. Te'o
16]. ZMart
17]. Motta
18]. Eifert
19] Tuitt
20] Riddick
21] KLM
22] Spond
23] Cave
24] Shembo
25] Golson
26] Swarbrick


Extreme Honorable Mention: Russell, Jackson, Fox, Watt, Wood, Jones, Toma, Rees

should be something in there to offend almost anyone.

 

[NDinFL]

I voted for Manti, but if Kelly were up there I would have voted for him

 

[BurningRiver]

This thread would be significantly more interesting if Te'o werent an option. Te'o is far and away the top choice. The more interesting discussion is for second place (my vote goes to Riddick for carrying the offense at times the QB couldn't earlier in the season).

 

[NDBoiler]

I agree with Manti, but I voted for Golson. My thinking was that this team would not be 12-0 if Tommy was the starter. I think he brought the play-making dimension to the offense that they so desperately needed. Not arguing against Manti, just stating a case for Everett.

^^^^^This

We all know Manti is awesome and the anchor of the D.

But, EG's development in the offense and mobility cannot be overstated. Nothing against Tommy personally, but I'd give it an over/under of about 20 times this season where EG extended a play or avoided a sack that would've swallowed Rees up or forced an ill-advised pass. No way in hell 12-0 happens with Rees under center for this reason alone.

 

[Riddickulous]

Of course it's Manti Te'o.

I'd like to add, however, that Louis Nix is the most important player on the defense and thus the team. Just my opinion.

 

[ickythump1225]

^^^^^This

We all know Manti is awesome and the anchor of the D.

But, EG's development in the offense and mobility cannot be overstated. Nothing against Tommy personally, but I'd give it an over/under of about 20 times this season where EG extended a play or avoided a sack that would've swallowed Rees up or forced an ill-advised pass. No way in hell 12-0 happens with Rees under center for this reason alone.

I strongly considered voting for Golson. Golson is a baller and he's a BIG reason we are undefeated. Without his playmaking and ability to extend plays we'd be lost. Could you imagine Rees starting the whole season? 2011 all over again.

 

[ulukinatme]

Charlie Weis

 

[AgentJ]

I agree with Manti, but I voted for Golson. My thinking was that this team would not be 12-0 if Tommy was the starter. I think he brought the play-making dimension to the offense that they so desperately needed. Not arguing against Manti, just stating a case for Everett.

To play devil's advocate for a second, we may not be undefeated with just about every single thing going as it did. I agree with your post though.

I'd also like to nominate Keivarae Russell

 

[ulukinatme]

Gotta go with Te'o. Undisputed leader on a defense that leads college football and lead this team to the championship game. Definitely a team effort though, very proud of how these guys turned a mucky offseason into a huge positive year.

 

[kmoose]

I'm giving it to Tuitt, and Big Lou Nix. It's been the maturation of the Defensive Linemen, in my opinion, that has catapulted Manti's performance into the stratosphere. Because of the havoc that Nix/Tuitt/Lewis-Moore, et. al, have created, teams can no longer release an offensive lineman downfield to block Te'o. Without the emergence of the D-Linemen, I think Manti would have had just another solid, but not spectacular, year.

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm giving it to Tuitt, and Big Lou Nix. It's been the maturation of the Defensive Linemen, in my opinion, that has catapulted Manti's performance into the stratosphere. Because of the havoc that Nix/Tuitt/Lewis-Moore, et. al, have created, teams can no longer release an offensive lineman downfield to block Te'o. Without the emergence of the D-Linemen, I think Manti would have had just another solid, but not spectacular, year.

hard to argue with this.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

I agree with Manti, but I voted for Golson. My thinking was that this team would not be 12-0 if Tommy was the starter. I think he brought the play-making dimension to the offense that they so desperately needed. Not arguing against Manti, just stating a case for Everett.

^Totally agree. I voted Golson, but Teo is a difference maker on defense and is definitly a reason why we're 12-0, but not the ONLY reason. Teo may have had a bigger part to taking us to 12-0, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and bet we end up losing that Pitt game if we didn't have Golson, I think the same can go for the OKLA game, no way Tommy hits CB on that deep post, if anything he doesn't sell the playfake, and never quite gets his feet set, throws it short and it gets picked, whole different ball game.

 

[Black Irish]

I have to vote Manti just because I think his contribution was above and beyond his stat line. Opposing offenses had to plan around him. He never had a bad game and you can't pin any blown defensive plays on him. He made huge goal line stops. He is a leader, an inspiration, and will deservedly go down as a Notre Dame legend. Basically, my argument for why he should've won the Heisman. Manti is greater than the sum of his parts and exemplifies the difference between "really good" and "great".

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Like the heisman should, I'll vote when the season is over. One more to go!

 

[Dizzyphil]

Mr. Teo



GO IRISH!!!!!!!

Diz

 

[IrishBlood81]

Like the heisman should, I'll vote when the season is over. One more to go!

Totally agree.^

I voted for Golson. Without him we would not be undefeated. Without Te'o I don't think we would be undefeated but there is a chance we could be, with out Golson we definitely would not be.

 

[chicago51]

Totally agree.^

I voted for Golson. Without him we would not be undefeated. Without Te'o I don't think we would be undefeated but there is a chance we could be, with out Golson we definitely would not be.

He is the main change from last year. Yes alot of the guys are a year stronger, and a year wiser but Golson is main difference, the one guy ND did not have last year.