Robinson clear candidate for Heisman after first two games
If there was a two-week Heisman Trophy winner, Denard Robinson would clearly be it.
He has shattered several Michigan records in his first two career starts.
Robinson set the U-M single-game individual record for total offense with 502 yards, breaking his own record of 383 from last week. He also set the Big Ten quarterback rushing record with 258 yards. He is also the ninth quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 200 yards and pass for 200 in the same game.
And while breaking these records, Robinson has not turned the ball over. With the kind of numbers he’s put up in Michigan’s victories, the Wolverines have a chance to every game with him under center.
There are not too many words to describe Robinson’s performances except unbelievable. For this sophomore quarterback to go into Notre Dame Stadium for the first time and carry the offense to a game winning drive is simply unbelievable. I don’t think anybody was expecting Robinson to produce the numbers he did on Saturday. I thought Notre Dame’s defense would figure out a way to stop him, but I was clearly wrong.
Before the season started many experts were unsure of if the Wolverines were bound for a bowl game. With Robinson at the helm, they have a chance to do more than just get to a bowl game.
They could win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl.
I do not want to say this will happen because the season is still relatively new and they have not started the Big Ten schedule.
Like last year, the Wolverines started off strong (4-0) and they have the same chance this year to go 5-0 with wins against Massachusetts, Bowling Green and Indiana.
But the true test will be Oct. 9 when Michigan State comes to the Big House. A win against the Spartans, snapping a two-game losing streak, could turn out to be the momentum swinger needed for a run at winning the conference and receiving a Rose Bowl berth.
The success for the Wolverines could come down to Robinson’s health.
He has run the ball 57 times in two games, so there is a risk with him carrying the ball that much. But if opposing defenses cannot stop him on the ground, then why should he be limited to 15 to 20 carries per game?
If teams show they can stop him, he has shown the ability to complete passes. He has a pretty good arm for being a running quarterback, even though U-M has not had to rely on his arm as of yet.
But when he had to throw, Robinson has shown he can be accurate and get the ball where it is needed.
Move over Terrelle Pryor, Denard Robinson is now the player to watch in the Big Ten and for the Heisman race.
