AJ McCarron Named Heisman Finalist

Alabama senior quarterback AJ McCarron is among the six finalists that will be heading to New York City for Saturday's Heisman Trophy presentation.

The other five are Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch, Auburn running back Tre Mason, and Boston College running back Andre Williams.

Winston is considered the favorite to win, having thrown for 3,820 yards and 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading Florida State to a 13-0 mark and BCS Championship Game berth.

Manziel, who won last year's Heisman, put up some big numbers but his interceptions were up from 9 to 13 and his rushing yards were more than half from a year ago (only 654 vs. 1,410 in 2012). He also had a few off-field problems that you may have heard about.

Senior QB Lynch also had some good numbers (2,676 yards passing 23 TDs; 1,881 rushing 22 TDs, 7 INT) but feasted mostly on MAC competition and had a less-than-spectacular game in that league's championship games - a loss to Bowling Green.

Mason has gotten some late attention due to Auburn's recent success. He finishes with 1,621 yards and 22 TDs.

You probably are not familiar with Williams but he finished as the nation's leading rusher with 2,102 yards and 17 TDs - stats that the sports wonks love to throw around. However, against ranked teams (Southern Cal, FSU, and Clemson), Williams scored 0 TDs and was held to 70 yards or under in two of those games.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner*, McCarron, finished 207 for 306 for 2,676 yards 26 TDs and only 5 INT.

The 79th Annual Heisman Trophy presentation will be held in New York City on December 14th at 7pm CT, 8pm ET televised by ESPN.

* The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award will be presented at a ceremony on December 13, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.