The Beginning of the End for Ringer

Michigan State running back Javon Ringer looked too slow and too weak against the first of many good run defenses he will face in the Big Ten. Ringer was, and still is, second in the nation in rushing yards and has 12 rushing touchdowns, which had him all alone in first last week, but after Iowa kept him out of the endzone for the first time this year, he now is tied with Donald Brown of Connecticut.

The Iowa defense swarmed Ringer, making him look slow, and not allowing big runs. If you take away his only big run of 29 yards, he carried the ball 24 times for 62 yards. That's a mere 2.5 yards per carry.

The 91 yards he ran for on Saturday was the second worst of the season, as Cal held him 81 in his first game of the year. The other 4 teams have not been able to stop the run in other games, either. Indiana's run defense is 46th, Notre Dame's is 59th, Florida Atlantic's is 99th, and Eastern Michigan is 100th in the nation against the run.

The biggest thing I learned about Ringer while watching the game, was that he was not even close to being the best back on the field. Shonn Greene is incredible. It takes two or more guys to tackle him everytime he gets the ball. He, unfortunately has no chance of winning the Heisman because he doesn't get enough opportunities to score. The voters look at touchdowns more than anything else.

Iowa does boast the nation's 19th ranked run defense, which is second best in the Big Ten, but in the Big Ten, everyone takes pride in their ability to stop the run. Ringer has a long road ahead of him.

And with guys like Greene or Beenie Wells of Ohio State, I would have a hard time giving the Heisman to a guy who isn't even the best at his postion in his conference.