Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh touts Andrew Luck as best Heisman choice
Stanford's regular season ended five days ago, but there is no shortage of news involving the Cardinal.
Coach Jim Harbaugh made an impassioned case Wednesday for quarterback Andrew Luck as the most deserving candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
Luck is expected to be one of four finalists invited to New York City next week for the awards ceremony. The favorite is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who has been ruled eligible for the SEC championship game even though his father was investigated by the NCAA in a pay-for-play scheme.
The NCAA determined that Newton did not know his father was seeking as much as $180,000 for Newton's services.
"In terms of what the Heisman is about, it's the person who strives for excellence with the utmost integrity," said Harbaugh, who never mentioned Newton by name.
"Andrew is pure excellence on the field. You see the same excellence in the classroom, and he has the utmost integrity. If I had to put my life in another man's hands, in terms of integrity, it would be Andrew."
Harbaugh wasn't nearly as loquacious when asked about his plans for today. He won't be attending the Michigan football banquet honoring the 1985 team, one of the best in school history. Harbaugh was the Wolverines' starting quarterback.
"I am here," he said matter-of-factly. "My schedule prevents me from being there."
Harbaugh has a practice to run, but he is no doubt aware of the chaos that his appearance would cause
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in Ann Arbor. He is the favorite among Michigan fans to replace unpopular coach Rich Rodriguez, who will be attending the banquet.
# Luck is a finalist for three major awards: The Davey O'Brien, given to the nation's best quarterback, and the Maxwell and Walter Camp, which honor the nation's top player.
Newton is a finalist for all three awards, as well.
Stanford associate head coach Greg Roman is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant. Roman is in charge of the tight ends and offensive tackles.
# Harbaugh was asked about the poor attendance at home games -- Stanford Stadium was rarely more than 75 percent full -- and the marketing push required to attract new fans.
"Somebody has got to spearhead that," he said. "It's got to come from the president of the university saying somebody is in charge. It can't be everybody pointing around a table saying, 'It's your job. It's your job.' "
# Harbaugh expressed frustration with the bowl selection system, in particular the prospect of Stanford's destination being affected by its small fan base (relative to teams from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12).
"How Stanford travels to games keeps coming up," he said. "I didn't notice that in the criteria for the BCS rankings. (If it's part of the selection process), then count me in favor of a playoff."
Harbaugh is half-right: Ticket sales have nothing to do with the BCS rankings. The system is designed to match the No. 1 and 2 teams in the national championship game.
The Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange bowls operate differently. They base team selections on a number of factors, including geography, conference affiliation and economics (ticket sales, hotel bookings, etc.).
If Stanford holds its current position in the BCS standings -- it is No. 4, just ahead of Wisconsin -- it is guaranteed a spot in one of the major bowls.
But in the unlikely event it slips to No. 5, the Cardinal could get squeezed out because of its small fan base.
If that's the case, Harbaugh said, "You might have one hot guy at next week's press conference."
Coach Jim Harbaugh made an impassioned case Wednesday for quarterback Andrew Luck as the most deserving candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
Luck is expected to be one of four finalists invited to New York City next week for the awards ceremony. The favorite is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who has been ruled eligible for the SEC championship game even though his father was investigated by the NCAA in a pay-for-play scheme.
The NCAA determined that Newton did not know his father was seeking as much as $180,000 for Newton's services.
"In terms of what the Heisman is about, it's the person who strives for excellence with the utmost integrity," said Harbaugh, who never mentioned Newton by name.
"Andrew is pure excellence on the field. You see the same excellence in the classroom, and he has the utmost integrity. If I had to put my life in another man's hands, in terms of integrity, it would be Andrew."
Harbaugh wasn't nearly as loquacious when asked about his plans for today. He won't be attending the Michigan football banquet honoring the 1985 team, one of the best in school history. Harbaugh was the Wolverines' starting quarterback.
"I am here," he said matter-of-factly. "My schedule prevents me from being there."
Harbaugh has a practice to run, but he is no doubt aware of the chaos that his appearance would cause
Advertisement
Click to learn more... Quantcast
in Ann Arbor. He is the favorite among Michigan fans to replace unpopular coach Rich Rodriguez, who will be attending the banquet.
# Luck is a finalist for three major awards: The Davey O'Brien, given to the nation's best quarterback, and the Maxwell and Walter Camp, which honor the nation's top player.
Newton is a finalist for all three awards, as well.
Stanford associate head coach Greg Roman is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant. Roman is in charge of the tight ends and offensive tackles.
# Harbaugh was asked about the poor attendance at home games -- Stanford Stadium was rarely more than 75 percent full -- and the marketing push required to attract new fans.
"Somebody has got to spearhead that," he said. "It's got to come from the president of the university saying somebody is in charge. It can't be everybody pointing around a table saying, 'It's your job. It's your job.' "
# Harbaugh expressed frustration with the bowl selection system, in particular the prospect of Stanford's destination being affected by its small fan base (relative to teams from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12).
"How Stanford travels to games keeps coming up," he said. "I didn't notice that in the criteria for the BCS rankings. (If it's part of the selection process), then count me in favor of a playoff."
Harbaugh is half-right: Ticket sales have nothing to do with the BCS rankings. The system is designed to match the No. 1 and 2 teams in the national championship game.
The Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange bowls operate differently. They base team selections on a number of factors, including geography, conference affiliation and economics (ticket sales, hotel bookings, etc.).
If Stanford holds its current position in the BCS standings -- it is No. 4, just ahead of Wisconsin -- it is guaranteed a spot in one of the major bowls.
But in the unlikely event it slips to No. 5, the Cardinal could get squeezed out because of its small fan base.
If that's the case, Harbaugh said, "You might have one hot guy at next week's press conference."
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