I love Mark Ingram.  I think he’s a great player and a good human being.  But he’s a sophomore and I think that awarding the trophy to a sophomore should be reserved for an extremely special case.  A once in a long time talent.  I’m quite certain that Ingram isn’t yet the best running back in the country, let alone the best player.  I’m not even sure he’s the best back on his own team.  To work through it, I decided to look at his season week by week.

He’s had some ridiculous games.  248 yards against South Carolina on national television.  But he’s had some  stinkers as well.  Four of the first eight games he didn’t break 100 yards.  Held to 50 yards and 2.9 YPC against Arkansas and their 69th ranked rush defense.  Outrushed or out averaged by players on his own team three times during the year.

Ingram’s had a great year.  But he’s run behind a fantastic line and been outrushed by players on his own team several times this year.  Alabama has also played exactly two top 50 rush defenses.  Richardson averages 5.33 YPC.  Upchurch averages 6.33 YPC. This vote if for the unofficial best player in the country and I’m not even sure he’s the best back on his own team.

For what it’s worth, Florida and Alabama met seven common opponents.  Against them, Ingram rushed for an average of 127.3 yards.  Tebow rushed for an average of 91.6 yards.  Tebow’s a quarterback.

Note: In my first published version of this post, I stated that Alabama had faced one Top 50 rush defense.  LSU rush defense had risen and I hadn’t noted it.  They’ve played the 39th and 48th ranked rush defenses.  I apologize to Bama nation for the error.