Thursday’s question: Who will win and should win the Heisman Trophy?

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Reporters from around the Tribune family answer the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

The Heisman? Give it to Gerhart. Last week ago it seemed far-fetched and implausible, the thought that a running back on a four-loss Stanford team could snatch college football’s most cherished honor. Poor performances in conference title games by the frontrunners Colt McCoy (Texas) and Tim Tebow (Florida), however, have opened a crack in the line for Cardinal senior Toby Gerhart. In fact, had Alabama tailback Mark Ingram not rebounded with a terrific, 113-yard rushing game against Florida, the Heisman Trophy would now be Gerhart’s to lose. My guess is Ingram will win a close decision over Gerhart, but it’s anything but a lock. Ingram’s advantage: he gained 1,542 on the nation’s No.1 team, and an Alabama player has never won the Heisman: Disadvantage: In five games this year, Ingram has failed to rush for 100 yards. Gerhart has more yards (1,736) and touchdowns (26 to Ingram’s 15). And check out Toby’s closing speed in Stanford’s last four games: 223 yards against Oregon, 178 vs. USC, 136 against Cal and 205 against Notre Dame. Momentum is running down hill, the way Gerhart runs, for Stanford’s senior back. Will it be enough for him to strike the pose on Saturday night? We can only wait and see.

Desmond Conner, Hartford Courant

Every Heisman candidate has to have a big “Heisman moment” during the season. Colt McCoy, my choice for the award, had his against Texas A&M last month. In the Longhorns’ 49-39 win, McCoy was outstanding with 304 passing yards (24-of-40, 4 TDs) and 175 yards rushing.
McCoy isn’t a running quarterback. Everyone knows that. What he did for his team on that day was needed and he came through like never before. That’s what big-time players at big-time programs do on big stages.
And let’s not forget he also had a 33-yard punt that went to the Aggies’ 8.
McCoy passed for 3,512 yards, 27 TDs, his team is 13-0, ranked No. 2 and will play for the national title, all under his leadership. He did not have a great final game, but Texas did beat Nebraska. He has had a great career, a good year and that outstanding Heisman moment.
The Heisman Trophy should go to Colt McCoy.

Andrea Adelson, Orlando Sentinel
If the Heisman Trophy really went to the most outstanding player in college football, it would go to Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on Saturday.
But since the trophy is largely a popularity contest, it will probably go to Alabama running back Mark Ingram. There is no doubt Ingram has had a great season. So have Stanford RB Toby Gerhart and the other Heisman finalists.
Suh, however, has been absolutely dominant. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder has 82 total tackles, including 23 for a loss. He has 24 quarterback hurries and 12 sacks -- including 4.5 of fellow finalist Colt McCoy in the Big 12 championship game last week. McCoy called that performance, “one of the best games for a defensive player that I’ve ever seen.”
Because of that game, Suh has drawn more attention and more votes, so he has a chance. But the Heisman has never been partial to full-time defensive players. Suh is just the 21st defensive player to make it into the top five in Heisman balloting. That is quite an accomplishment. Hopefully Saturday there will be something bigger for him to celebrate.