Instant Reaction - 2009 Heisman: Big Media snubs another small school star, Kellen Moore

The worst Heisman snubbing since 2006 occurred tonight. In that year Colt Brennan (University of Hawaii) finished with a 72.6 completion percentage, 5,549 yards, 58 TDs to only 12 INTs for a a 185.96 QB rating. Despite Brennan's astronomical stats, the media in their infinite wisdom felt that the Heisman should go to Troy Smith (Ohio State), who had a 65.3 completion percentage, a pedestrian 2,542 yards and almost half the TDs (30 TDs to 6 INTs) for a QB rating of 161.91.

That year the talking heads told us that Smith was more deserving because he was playing for an undefeated championship contender. They also cited how 'dependable' he was, having only six interceptions against those tough Big Ten defenses. All of that of course was just a smoke screen for 'we need to give the Heisman to a player in a big market.' Writing about players in Hawaii or Idaho is not good for the advertising dollars.

This season, Kellen Moore of Boisie State did not turn the ball over and he did put up great numbers while going undefeated. Moore threw for 3,325 yards and had an amazing 39 TDs to only three interceptions!

But that did not even get him an invitation to the award ceremony in New York. A player must finish in the top five in voting. Moore finished seventh.

But two media darlings, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow, who play for big schools Florida and Texas, finished third and fifth respectively did get invitations to the Heisman Award Ceremony. McCoy had a QB rating almost 20 points less thatn Moore. Tebow, a player that ESPN cannot stop salivating over, finished the regular season with a poultry 18 touchdowns!

The Heisman winner, Mark Ingram of undefeated Alabama ran for 1,542 yards, 15 TDs and a 6.2 YPC. Obviously those are good numbers, but nothing too eye popping in the pantheons of college football history.

Shots Heard rebukes the Heisman voters for this severe miscarriage of sports justice. This is absolutely reprehensible. Had a quarterback on a mere 8-3 team in a 'major conference' put up 39 TDs to only 3 INTs he would have won the Heisman. And it would not have been 'the closest vote' in Heisman history. It would have been a runaway. Shame be upon the Heisman voters. Shame.

Picture: Once upon a time, small schools like Boise State played in a proverbial media fog (obscurity). But in 2009 the 'multimedia' oriented voters know everything in seconds. They are not excused from overlooking players like Kellen Moore (pictured), who had a phenomenal season in 2009.