SEC MVP? It's a One-Man Race
Several weeks ago, I gave my pick for the SEC's Most Valuable Offensive Player. I chose Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, and now I think that McFadden should not only be recognized as the best player in the conference, he should be considered one of the best in the country.
I'd love to see McFadden get invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation. Find me a player in NCAA football that means more to his team's success than this Razorbacks workhorse.
Darren McFadden is the nation's seventh leading rusher (1,219 yards). He averages 6.2 yards per carry and 121.9 yards per game. He has run for 12 touchdowns, caught one more, and thrown two as well. I wish Arkansas kept a stat for the amount of play action passes that have produced big plays in the passing game.
The game that Arkansas went from a decent team to a legit one was the double overtime win over Alabama. In that game, he carried 25 times for 112 yards and a touchdown .
In the Razorbacks' win at Auburn, McFadden had 28 carries, 145 yards, and a touchdown.
At South Carolina, he had 25 carries, 219 yards (8.8 ypc), and two touchdowns.
Last week vs. Tennessee, McFadden rushed 30 times. He gained 181 yards and scored twice.
Now let's look at his quarterbacks' numbers in those games.
Alabama: (Mustain) 7-22, 97 yards, TD, three INTs
Auburn: (Mustain) 7-10, 87 yards, TD
South Carolina: (Mustain) 0-1, INT; (Dick) 11-19, 228 yards, TD, INT
Tennessee: (Dick) 10-15, 154 yards, TD
It's not just the impressive numbers. McFadden saves his best for the biggest games. He leads his team to victory even when his quarterback underperforms. Arkansas has been one-dimensional most of the year, but teams still cannot stop him. Steve Spurrier said that South Carolina had to limit McFadden to beat Arkansas. He rushed for 219 yards.
He cannot be stopped!
We better see him in New York. McFadden for Heisman!
