Reggie Bush: Heisman Candidate or PRODUCT OF HYPE MACHINE
Here are the facts:
Punt Returns: Yards/Return: 21st in Pac-10 (5.7/return)
Kickoff Returns: Yards/Return: 30th in Pac-10 (17.5/return)
Opponents so far this yr: Hawaii, (88th in defense), Arkansas (94th in defense), Oregon (63rd in total defense), Arizona State (113th in defense), Arizona (102nd in defense), Notre Dame (95th in defense BEFORE playing USC)
Remaining opponents: Washington (89th in total defense), Wash St (46th in total defense), Stanford (110th in defense), Cal (23rd in defense), Fres St (36th in defense), UCLA (77th in defense)
Avg defense faced: 85th
Summary: Bush has track speed and incredible skill, but should we really be impressed by what he has accomplished this season enough so to put him in the Heisman race? He isn't even the best RB on his own team (that would be Lendale White), and his claim to fame (All Purpose/ Returns) finds him not even in the TOP 20 in the Pac-10,let alone the nation. USC plays only 1 top 25 defense all season, and the average defensive ranking of their opponents this yr (those already played and those remaining) is 85 in the country (yards/game).
As for his pro prospects, he is clearly not an every-down back, hasn't proven durability, and has never carried the ball more than 20 times in a college game (against soft defenses). I'd gladly take Maroney, Williams of Memphis, Lendale White, Marshawn Lynch, Bush of Louisville, or even Drew of UCLA (a "poor man's" Bush who doesn't get the pub but is every bit as good).
Just curious how Bush is the frontrunner (the Greek) for the Heisman?
