Devine needs to be included in Heisman talk

It looks like college football is running a little short on Heisman Trophy candidates this year, doesn't it?

The top three – Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Mark Ingram.

Then, Jimmy Clausen and Ndamukong Suh?

In what was projected to be "the year of the Heisman" with so many strong returning players throughout the country, the race has trickled down to five players that include two overrated quarterbacks and a nose tackle.

That's right, a nose tackle.

Obviously, no one has recognized that there's a perfectly legitimate candidate right here in Morgantown – WVU's Noel Devine.

But forget winning the Heisman, could someone just at least say "Noel Devine" when mentioning this year's Heisman Trophy candidates?

Even projecting him as a top 10 or top 15 contender would be nice.

The junior is having a standout season, and he has proved his worth as one of the best tailbacks in the country, having rushed for 951 yards including 10 touchdowns this season.

He's averaging 6.7 yards per attempt, and his 130.3 rushing yards per game is the third best in the country.

One of the nation's top three running backs should at least be mentioned in the race, especially considering the lack of quality season that so-called Heisman contenders are having.

First of all, Lou Holtz must be pulling some strings because the last time I checked, going to Notre Dame doesn't automatically make you a Heisman Trophy contender.

But yet, maybe it does.

In ESPN's latest Heisman poll, Houston quarterback Chase Keenum trailed Clausen despite having more total yards, a better completion percentage, more touchdowns and, oh, let's not forget, his team has more wins.

Meanwhile, Tebow's name is only in the hat because he's Tim Tebow. After all, he's only thrown eight touchdowns and four interceptions this year.

South Carolina's Stephen Garcia has also thrown four touchdown but has three more touchdowns than Tebow.

Does that make him a Heisman contender, too?

And a nose tackle? Really? I have nothing against Suh, I love his name, but you know you're desperate for quality Heisman candidates when a nose tackle is in the running.

Devine's biggest competitors are McCoy and Ingram.

Besides not living up to the great expectations he entered the season with, McCoy has pieced together a solid season that includes a 72 percent completion percentage while Texas remains undefeated and one of the top three teams in the country.

Ingram has put together a standout season as well. But what Devine has done this year far outweighs Ingram's accomplishments.

Devine has the edge on the Alabama running back in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, yards per carry and yards per game even though he's played one less game than Ingram.

Oh, and Ingram only has one run this season over 50 yards. Devine, well, he had two last week and has five on the season including two plays over 70 yards.

Even Reggie Bush – who was the last running back to win the Heisman in 2005 – only had one run over 70 yards during his 2005 Heisman season.

There's no bigger playmaker in college football than Devine.

His 56-yard scamper with just over two minutes remaining against Connecticut that gave WVU the lead for good proved that.

His two 70-yard runs early in the first quarter against Auburn and Colorado proved that.

He's the most explosive runner in college football.

He has the statistics, his team has the wins and the national ranking.

Now, all Devine needs is for someone, anyone, to pay attention.