2011 Heisman Race week 2: Does Robinson's incomplete game hurt him?

Denard Robinson pulled off a classic win against Notre Dame, something that often propels candidates toward a win in the Heisman race (it worked for Desmond Howard in 1991). But the week before, Michigan's game against Western Michigan was called with minutes left in the 3rd quarter. This affected Robinson for two reasons.

One, he had another quarter to rack up stats. Granted, he probably wouldn't have played much or any of the 4th quarter, but it just takes one pass play or big run to tally another touchdown, and stats are important in the Heisman Race.

Second, the NCAA doesn't officially count stats for games that don't reach the 4th quarter. So according to them, Robinson doesn't have statistics for the first week of the season. Anywhere Robinson's 2011 season statistics are listed using the NCAA's numbers, Robinson will be short 98 passing yards and 46 rushing yards. Not huge numbers, but if the race is really tight, 150 total yards here and there could sway just a few voters. It would be a shame if bad accounting lost the race for Shoelace; after all, he did gain those yards, and Michigan did win that game.

It's possible, however, that Robinson's per-game figures will look better when quoted without the Western Michigan game, so it all could even out in the end.

2011 Heisman Race after week two

1. A. Luck, QB-Stanford (2-0): 37-54 69% 461yd 6TD 1int; 5rsh 11yd 2.2av 1TD 0fmb
   Luck threw four touchdown passes but did have a pick-six interception against Duke.
   
2. K. Moore, QB-Boise State (1-0): 28-34 82% 261yd 3TD 1int; 0rsh 0yd 0TD 0fmb
   Moore was idle last week.
3. ^ D. Robinson, QB-Michigan (2-0): 20-37 54% 436yd 4TD 3int; 24rsh 154yd 6.4av 1TD 0fmb
   Robinson came up big late in the game in a classic win over Notre Dame.
4. J. Blackmon, WR-OK St. (2-0): 20rec 272 yd 2TD 0fmb; 1rsh 6yds 6.0 ave 0TD
   Another game, another 100+ yards for Blackmon, with two TDs against Arizona
   
5. v L. James, RB-Oregon (1-1): 30rsh 121yd 4.0ave 2TD 0fmb; 8rec 117yd 1TD; 65rty 1TD
   Low rushing numbers again, but James scored on a run, a reception, and punt return.
6. R. Griffin III, QB-Baylor (1-0): 21-27 78% 359yd 5TD 0int;10rsh 38yd 3.8av 0TD 1fmb;15rcY
   Griffin was idle last week.
   
7. R. Wilson, QB-Wisconsin (2-0): 27-34 79% 444yd 5TD 0int; 6rsh 73yd 12.2av 1TD 0fmb
   Wisconsin's QB joins the race after another near-perfect game.
   

Despite Robinsin's heroics his stats for the Notre Dame game as a whole were fairly poor—he suffered three interceptions and completed only 11 of 24 attempts. He had a bad first half as Michigan fell behind. But what will people take away from the game, that, or the last second touchdown pass?

LaMichael James rushed for fewer than 100 yards for the 2nd straight week, putting his candidacy in jeopardy. He could remain in contention as an all-purpose threat if he keeps up his receiving and kick return performances.

Andrew Luck remained on top of the heap for now, and Justin Blackmon held steady with another patented 100+ yard performance. People are so used to that that he'll need to do even more to break into the top tier.

Russell Wilson is added to the list. In two outings with Wisconsin he's done everything that could be expected of him and the Badgers are a legitimate national title contender.