Everyone must sit at home on Tuesday for this reason.
In the Orange bowl on Tuesday, January 4th, the best national championship game in a long time will be aired for our viewing pleasure on ABC. College Football has been a treasure to watch for many reasons and one of them will be the focus of my eyes as well as everyone else’s in the world. The Heisman Trophy was presented to Matt Leinart this year as College Football’s MVP. But I beg to differ on who should have won that award. Out of the four Heisman Trophy finalists that will be playing on this night; Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Jason White and Adrian Peterson; it is Peterson, the freshman who should have won this award.
In my years of watching football on all levels, high school, college and pro; I have never seen a kid like this with so much talent at the running back position. His gracefulness with the ball combined with track-like speed and a will to run, Adrian Peterson has been the best thing to happen to the Oklahoma offense. Jason White being the talent he is… still cannot compare to what Adrian Peterson can do to turn around any game.
Take for instance the fact that he had his best games against the toughest opponents that Oklahoma has faced this season. Against Texas, his 225 yard performance in the Red River shootout against Texas. Then you have against Oklahoma State a game where he ran for another 249 yards rushing. And in blowout games, he ran for 183 against a formidable Oregon opponent and another 240 against Baylor. His stamina has never been questioned and you may have forgotten after seeing all of these stats…
He’s a freshman!
For a 19 year-old young man (who’s 6’2 210 of muscle on wheels) to shred up college opponents like this at this early rate is unbelievable in this day of competition. Many college football teams are better now than before, and more programs nab star recruits. But you have to just lush at Bob Stoops for grabbing this young man. He is the next sure thing for the #1 pick in the draft. I do not doubt the futures of Mr. Leinart, Mr. Bush, Mr. White or any other dominant players in college football on each side of the ball. But I know that they all have taken a moment to admire on Sports Center, or live in person… what Adrian Peterson can do to a team. Is it the way he gets to the line and just emerges from the pack alone and motoring toward his end zone, or is it the lightning quick moves and strength he displays each week/ I am unsure what it is that I marvel about him more.
His work ethic cannot be questioned if you have ever had the liberty to see this young man play or practice even. He did not start the first game of the season and was still coming off the bench into the fourth game of the season, yet he still ran the ball for 1843 yards and 15 touchdowns. For a freshman to carry the ball 314 times is phenomenal, and to show little sign of wear is something unheard of in college football in this day in age. Even Reggie Bush could only carry the ball 174 times because of the wear that he would take in games. Adrian Peterson could have had George Bush handing him the ball 314 times and the team would have prospered just as well.
If you ask Jason White, his last national championship appearance was shut down because of his lack of balance on offense. The passing game was keyed on by LSU and they were unable to come home with the victory. He is not coming to this gunfight between the top two teams in the nation with a nuclear weapon. The two defenses in this game are both well rounded and will be factors; but with Adrian Peterson, it will be difficult for USC to key on Jason White and Mark Clayton.
Since Barry Sanders, I have not been delighted to watch a running back play as much as A.P. The difference between him is the fact that as much as Barry wowed folks with his end to end improvisations on running plays, he was a decent straight-ahead runner. Watching Mr. Peterson approach the line with his head of steam is entertaining. He goes straight ahead and runs like Eddie George in his prime, but with more speed and more strength. If he stays in school for the entire four years all rushing records will fall in the NCAA. That natural ability he has is comparable to LeBron in basketball, but in a more physical sport and more demanding. And did I forget to mention to you all…
He’s a freshman!
One reply on “The Next Sure Thing”
Great Story I was a little confused by your first couple of sentences, it seemed like it was going to be a story about the Orange Bowl. You support your points well and explain them clearly. I happen to disagree with you but it’s well written nonetheless. Consider pushing Peterson’s name into the first few sentences to help the reader along. Finally, in your last sentence you wrote “The natural ability he has in comparable to LeBron…” You meant IS comparable. Other than those MINOR points I thought that this was a great article and would vote it to the front page.