San Jose Mercury: The Heisman race: How Cal's DeSean Jackson stacks up

By Jon Wilner

DeSean Jackson has terrific timing. Knows just when to lean one way and go the other, just when to reverse field, just when to break on the ball … just when to get hurt. Jackson’s sprained thumb (suffered vs. Tennessee) is partly responsible for his low all-purpose production against Louisiana Tech and his low receiving totals for the past two games.  But if he was going to pick a stretch to deal with an injury and put up low numbers, this was it:

Against Colorado State and LaTech, two low-profile games against two low-profile teams on low-profile TV outlets.  If Jackson’s going to make it to New York as a Heisman finalist, he needs big games in the big games. The key is not disappointing voters. You can’t disappoint them with five catches for 28 yards (and no punt returns b/c the injury) against LaTech, a game that wasn’t on FSN/ESPN/ABC.  But you can disappoint them with five catches for 28 yards against USC, or Oregon, or even Arizona State. Jackson can hardly be considered the frontrunner, but he remains solidly in the race. To stay there, he’ll need a big game in two weeks, when the Bears visit Oregon. He’ll need a highlight play or two, and he’ll need to produce as a receiver, not just a returner. (So far, Jackson is averaging a paltry eight yards per catch and has no touchdowns.)  This is the second installment of the Hotline’s weekly look at how Jackson stacks up in the Heisman race. (Motto: We look up mind-numbing stats, so you don’t have to.)

New to the list: Kentucky’s Andre Woodson and Florida’s Tim Tebow.

Off the list: West Virginia’s Pat White.

Watch out for: Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Boston College’s Matt Ryan.

(In no particular order.)

 

***Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm

Last week: Threw for 366 yards and 2 TDs in loss to Kentucky.

This week: vs. Syracuse.

Season to date: Has thrown 11 TDs and 1 INT, averages 380 yards per game.

How he stacks up: Would be in the New York if the ceremony were today. But Brohm is Louisville, and if the Cerdinals drop a few more, his Heisman chances will drop, too.

 

***Cal receiver/returner DeSean Jackson

Last week: Caught five passes for 28 yards against Louisiana Tech.

This week: vs. Arizona.

Season to date: Two touchdowns in three games, both longer than 70 yards.

How he stacks up: Must get healthy and deliver a series of big games against Oregon, UCLA and ASU.

 

Read the entire article here.