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2010 Heisman Hopeful Countdown: No. 1 Alabama RB Mark Ingram
As part of BCS Know How’s 2010 season preview, we will be breaking down our ten favorite Heisman hopefuls to get you ready for this season’s edition of the Heisman Watch.
Here’s our No. 1 selection, Alabama junior running back and defending Heisman Trophy recipient Mark Ingram.
In the same way that his Alabama Crimson Tide are the prohibitive favorites to repeat as national champions, running back Mark Ingram must be installed as preseason favorite to repeat as the Heisman Trophy recipient.
Yes, only one person in the history of the college game has won the trophy more than once in their collegiate career, however in Ingram’s case there are strong reasons to believe it is well within the realm of possibility.
Ingram burst onto the scene in 2009 during the Crimson Tide’s run towards the national championship, balancing the Tide’s offensive attack and allowing for a dynamic offense to emerge in Tuscaloosa. His impact was immediate as the former backup to Glen Coffee struck it big against Virginia Tech in Alabama’s first game — rushing for 150 yards and a touchdown.
As the 2009 season wore on Ingram experienced ups and downs during the Crimson Tide’s run through an undefeated SEC regular season, and jockeyed for position at the top of the Heisman race with a variety of contenders, including eventual runner-up Stanford running back Toby Gerhart.
It wasn’t until the season’s final week that Ingram truly separated himself from the pack, when he ran all over the feared Florida Gator defense in the SEC Championship Game, helping the Tide complete their undefeated regular season.
Ingram’s 1,658 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns to go along with three more touchdowns through the air were just enough to squeak him by Gerhart in the early-December Heisman balloting — Ingram coming out on top by the slimmest margin in Heisman history.
Now in 2010 Ingram looks to take his production to another level as most the offense that thrived with him as a centerpiece returns, including three of his blockers up front.
Bottom Line: Ingram will benefit greatly from the bevy of returning talent around him, but it could be a returning star who could derail his Heisman hopes.
Many believe that Trent Richardson, who backed up Ingram in ’09, is actually the better of the two running backs, and should get more touches in the offense as a sophomore.
Increased production and opportunities for Richardson could spell doom for Ingram’s hopes of a repeat Heisman victory, however Ingram himself will be improved from just a year ago as he settles into his second year of starting for the Tide.
Once again, Ingram will be faced with strong competition around the country for the trophy, however he cannot be discounted as the early national favorite for the trophy he claimed in just his first year as a starter.
←2010 Heisman Hopeful Countdown: The Best of the Rest
Heisman Watch Week One: Moore Shines on National Stage →
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