Braxton Miller's Invitation to New York Will Have to Wait

By Jason Priestas - 03 December 2012
70 Comments
- OSU
- Football

The finalists for the 2012 Heisman Trophy were just announced on SportsCenter and Braxton Miller was not one of the three players invited to New York for the ceremony.

Kansas State's Collin Klein, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and Notre Dame's Manti Te'o received invites for the award, which will be presented Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square.

While we didn't expect Miller to win the award this season, getting an invitation would have been huge for Urban Meyer and the program. It will be interesting to see the final voting numbers when they're released on Saturday. My hunch is that Miller will finish in the top five, but the early voting must show too much of a gap between the top three and the fourth spot.

Miller finished the 2012 season with 2,039 passing yards and 15 TDs to go with 1,271 yards and 13 TDs on the ground.

It's all good, though. Stoney has his QB's back:

#5 should definitely be going to NY
— Jake Stoneburner (@STONEYeleven) December 3, 2012

https://twitter.com/11W/status/275740548038537217

Comments

EvanstonBuckeye on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:28pm #

I may be in the minority, but I suddenly like T'eo's chances a lot more. His story, look, and uniform defy simple stat lines.

The snub is what it is. Personally, I think Marquise Lee got screwed the most. Outside of OSUFORLIFE, of course.

rdubs on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:31pm #

I think Marquise Lee is the best skill position player in the country right now. Had Barkley had the type of year that people expected Lee would be winning in my opinion (unless Barkley beat him to it). Being a WR is really hard to win the Heisman unless you have big return yards or play defense too.

Amonk13 on 4 Dec 2012 - 7:37am #

Personally i feel like there should be more defensive players each year in contention for the Heisman. It is the "Best" player of the year award is it not? With that said i still don't feel like T'eo is the best defensive player in the country. I would love personally to see a defensive end up for the award. That one guy that's grinding out hard games tackles for loss, and sacks, that guy that is just terrorizing those other usually Heisman candidates. Yet i still feel just for viewers sake they would have just invited lee and Miller oh well i feel Miller will be close to one over the next two years

-Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results- Albert Einstein

ohst8buxCP on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:32pm #

That really sucks but i understand why Miller wasn't invited. Him and Lee had no real chance at winning. Suprised they wouldn't include both for ratings purposes though.

BuckeyeUro on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:33pm #

I guess that would give Urban and the team something to get angrey about when playing next season!!

AcrossTheField11 on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:34pm #

This would have been nice. I can't help but think we need all the good publicity we can get going into next season. Is there any chance we run the table next year but can't get into the MNC game? That schedule just looks so so weak on paper at this point.

I think the B1G having any semblance of success during bowl season (highly unlikely) will go a long way towards helping us get to the big game next year if we do, in fact, go undefeated.

Time and change will surely show how firm they friendship... O-HI-O.

BucksfanXC on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:36pm #

No such thing as bad publicity and all, but what it really would have amounted to would have been several more chances to talk about the bowl ban. "So Braxton, you are the only one here without a game left this season, herp derp." And being the only one without a game coming up, it would have just been a party trip that serves to inflate his ego and not motivate him as much as sitting at home watching and being able to work out and get better for his shot to keep Archie's record alive competing for it against Johnny Football for the 2013 Heisman.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

buckeyedude on 4 Dec 2012 - 8:49am #

being the only one without a game coming up, it would have just been a party trip that serves to inflate his ego and not motivate him as much as sitting at home watching and being able to work out and get better for his shot

I agree 100% with your comment here. This is exactly the way I see it. I think the Heisman is a curse anyway. Better to have Braxton pissed off about the snub, than to finish #4 or #5 and then feel entitled to it next year. I hope he learned much from Big John Simon. It takes hard work.

Every thing is shaping up nicely for next year.

"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."

brylee on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:38pm #

(highly unlikely)

and very concerning. Urban will have to roll up the points on everyone big time.

Torpedo Vegas on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:51pm #

If anyone call roll up the points on everyone big time, it's Urban. Especially if Hyde comes back next year.

nickma71 on 3 Dec 2012 - 11:29pm #

Considering the huge improvement in the offensive line that was patchwork going into this season, I like how the running game will be with or without Hyde. Hyde is better than Smtih, but Smith is certainly talented. And Hall will be back. And Jalin Marshall. Have you watched his videos on youtube? His escapbility is Braxton like, but with more top end speed. And Brionte Dunn got a lot of valuable reps this year.

BucksfanXC on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:34pm #

Listen, bummer for everyone, would have been cool to have an OSU guy there and for the OSU guy to be there.

HOWEVER

1) Motivation for next year.

2) Graybox says it for me. No one here expected him to win, therefore no one anywhere expected him to win (transitive property of homerism). Therefore he didn't deserve an invite. Only people who could possibly win should go IMHO. It shouldn't be an invite just for the sake of inviting, it should be for genuine suspense of who will take it home.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

EvanstonBuckeye on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:36pm #

Pretty thoughtful way to think about it, actually.

STRAWMAN on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:36pm #

I'm ok with a bigger chip on #5's shoulder.

osubuck57 on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:44pm #

Figured as much.Just adds fuel to the fire next year!! If they wanted ammo,they definately got it.Would not want to be on the schedule next year.lol

SCOTTC.

rcbirk21 on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:49pm #

man...i got all excited for a gray box...booo bad gray boxes (just kidding, thanks for the news 11W!)

KillerNut on 4 Dec 2012 - 2:25am #

11W should have a scarlet box for bad news

Bucksfan on 3 Dec 2012 - 7:52pm #

Such bullshit. Miller was unquestionably the best football player out there all year. No one else has a highlight reel that would come close.

Jason Staff on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:07pm #

Step away from the homer glue, sir.

wolfy2014 on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:18pm #

I do think he has a point that he has an unrivaled highlight reel. However, I don't think he deserved the Heisman, not that Manti Te'o does either (I would much rather have Jarvis Jones on my team, for example, and Te'o's stats are nothing spectacular when a Wisconsin FB has forced more fumbles on the year than he has.)

Personally, my top two would be Colin Klein and Marquise Lee.

KillerNut on 4 Dec 2012 - 2:26am #

Te'o is much much much much better than jones IMHO

Bucksfan on 3 Dec 2012 - 9:29pm #

He broke how many Ohio State quarterback records? I don't think its being a homer to think Braxton Miller was one of the top handful of college football players in 2012. If you're going to honor 3, he should be one of the 3. If there is 5, then he should be one of the 5.

Not a homer. Also, not blind, either.

Jason Staff on 3 Dec 2012 - 9:52pm #

Pretty quick turn from "unquestionably the best football player out there" to "one of the top handful of college football players in 2012" wouldn't you say?

Bucksfan on 3 Dec 2012 - 10:24pm #

lol, dude, it's college football. If you're not going to propagandize, then why even bother? Seems to do the SEC well!

Poison nuts on 5 Dec 2012 - 11:16am #

Up vote for that statement...

ok - I up voted a guy for making fun of the SEC, didn't know there would be repercussions...

The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.

MediBuck on 3 Dec 2012 - 10:37pm #

I don't know about the unquestionably part, but I actually think Miller deserved an invite and is someone who, minus all the negative media, bowl ban, and hateorade poured on good ole Columbus this year, would have been a lock for an NYC invite. My definition of the Heisman is a player who was critical to the success of his team and did so to an extent that made the team relevant in college football. Let's run the list versus the invitees this year:

1. Johny "Football" Manziel:
- Youth (RS Frosh)--note that Miller is only a true sophomore as well, and spent the entirety of last year playing without a position coach in an offensive system run by a pinniped who made his skillset look like a hexagonal peg in pinhole.
- Big Stage Wins-- Manziel had a huge game against Bama, but note that he also struggled and lost to the likes of Florida and LSU, both winnable games. When the fire hit the tinder, Johnny Footbaw whithered in the heat. Twice. Miller was 12-0 with notches in his belt against decent Nebraska, scUM, Wisky, and Penn State teams.
- Numbers-- http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2012/11/11/3629454/johnny-manziel-texas-am-braxton-miller-heisman-trophy. Maziel certainly racked up more passing yards and passing TDs, but also fewer rushing yards and explosive rushes. The two play in completely different offensive systems where the TA&M QB was asked to sling it more often, while Miller had the muzzle on him for airing it out all season.

2. Manti Teo
- Can't compare directly. Teo has the feel-good story going for him, as well as the "best player on best team" mantra going. For reference, I'm just going to point out that I don't even think he was the best linebacker in the country:
http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2012/12/3/3694412/manti-teo-the-linebac...
Please scroll down to the table mid-article to see what I mean.

3. Colin Klein
- Big Stage Wins-- The biggest is an overrated 2-loss Oklahoma team that got shut out the BCS by NIU. Texas is on the verge of firing Mack Brown despite a decade of Top 5 recruiting classes and has four losses. The rest of the teams in the Big XII have at least 5 losses. And you thought the B1G was a crappy conference. I'm not going to mention the loss to 7-5 Bayl--oops.
- Numbers-- 400 more passing yards, 400 fewer rushing yards. Please see above about different offensive systems.

Bottom line for me is that there is no way Miller doesn't get invited if OSU is post-season eligible. This was obviously a big slap in the face for the whole Buckeye program and Urban Meyer, but I don't care since there was no way they would have let Braxton win it anyway, and I know Coach Urbs will use this snub as RAGEfuel to propell us to a ridiculous 14-0 national championship season and Heisman win for Millertime next year.

"There is a force that makes us all brothers, no one goes his way alone." --Woody Hayes

Buckeyejason on 4 Dec 2012 - 9:39am #

Such bullshit. Miller was unquestionably the best football player out there all year. No one else has a highlight reel that would come close.

Homer.

Manziel was easily. Braxton started to fade down the stretch.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Buckeyevstheworld on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:03pm #

So if Braxton gets snubbed for the BigTen POTY, do we riot? lol

"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.

DaiTheFlu on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:21pm #

If there had been several other outstanding players up for the award, I would be ok with Braxton not going. However, considering the fact that the finalists are:

1) a feel-good story who went through personal tragedy; happens to play on the #1 ranked Irish, has worse stats than Shazier 2) A freshman QB who played well most of the year, struggled against LSU and Florida but played a stellar game against OMGALABAMA 3) QB on a surprisingly good KSU team but played like shit the last few weeks.

I don't think anyone really deserves the trophy this year, but they have to award it to someone. Braxton absolutely had as good of a year as any of the other finalists and SHOULD have been invited to NYC. Just more OSU hatin'.

We can't stop here; this is bat country...

bgohio22 on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:24pm #

Another great piece of motivation for Urb to push the 2013 Buckeyes to another 12-0 and beyond. Braxton had a great season but far too much against him to make it to NY including missing portions of a few games and not having a signature TD run in November.

DaiTheFlu on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:26pm #

Also, Jake Stoneburner's hands are surprisingly competent when it comes to posting witty comments on Twitter.

We can't stop here; this is bat country...

lippertini on 3 Dec 2012 - 9:58pm #

Love the hands snark, but also don't see much wit in Stoney's post.

chitown buckeye on 4 Dec 2012 - 12:38am #

Instead of tweeting on how Braxton should be in NY maybe Stoney should have caught those balls that hit him in his hands and Braxton may have gotten there.

"I'll fire when I'm god damn good and ready! You got that?" - Pete "Maverick" Mitchel

Poison nuts on 4 Dec 2012 - 9:30am #

Say word!

The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.

Scott on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:29pm #

Brax had a great season and was vastly improved from last year but, in my opinion, wasn't quite ready for a trip to New York. I think he will earn his invitation next year.

Class of 2008

741 on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:30pm #

No need for Urban to "manufacture anger" this off season - our boys have received their fair share of disrespect. I'm excited to see the gloves off all season long in 2013. GO BUCKS!

BoFuquel on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:35pm #

J. Clown is the biggest snub. I've been sayin' Te'o all along. A fullfilment of Mark Emmerts wet dreams. That will give The Whore one more Heisman than TOSU.Everybody is happy except maybe Satin.But he is going to turn and devour The Woman Who Rides The Beast.So all's well that ends well.As we always say in Buckeye Land wait till next year.GO BUCKS!

I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.

brylee on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:39pm #

At this point, I am rooting for T'eo, because if Manziel continues to light things up, Archie's exclusive club will most likely be doubled.

lamplighter on 3 Dec 2012 - 10:18pm #

If Tebow didn't win twice, then I think that Archie is safe. Of course I've been wrong before - just ask my wife and kids

Grant Edgell on 3 Dec 2012 - 10:41pm #

If they didn't vote Tebow a second time after winning as a sophomore, it's going to take something special for Manziel to get it twice IMO - an undefeated nat'l title game appearance, etc. Good luck with that, A&M.

Johnny Football is the (likely) choice in what I think is a down Heisman year. Bama, who most still feel is the best team in the country, didn't contribute to the conversation and USC/Barkley laid an egg in a season that he could have been the 13-week frontrunner.

Geraffi on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:45pm #

After the Illini game, Braxton's performance tailed off a bit. He was steady, but didn't have those jaw dropping plays/performances that we saw earlier in the year. Interestingly, it was after the Illini game that Urbs finally said he thinks Braxton is Heisman worthy. But I think the team improved over the last half o the season. Other players stepped up, which meant Braxton didn't meet to carry the team.

I would have loved to see him get the invite. It would have been great for the program. But I understand why he wasn't invited. I don't understand all the Teo love. He's solid, but the most outstanding football player in the nation? No way.

ColoradoBuckeye74 on 3 Dec 2012 - 8:46pm #

Looks like we might have an Angry football team with a bunch of Angry coaches. Motivation to say the least, use it boys!

Lost Nut on 3 Dec 2012 - 9:07pm #

If he is the person I think he is, I don't think this phases him.

Humility... Pass it on.

dsavoca77 on 3 Dec 2012 - 9:28pm #

Not even an invite really suprises me. Resume was pretty solid. Sure lights one heck of a fire for Braxtons offseason motivation.

Grant Edgell on 3 Dec 2012 - 10:36pm #

How many times will Urban use the, "We simply didn't do enough" talking point as motivation in 2013, referencing post season snubs (in general) from 2012? I don't necessarily believe 12-0 feels all that momentus when you strap them up again nine or ten months later, so Meyer is going from having to motivate a bowl banned team to one who may believe they can roll right into twleve+ more wins. TI'd argue that these snubs assist that.

We all agree that Brax wasn't going to win the Heisman so, aside from him personally being disappointed for the lack of an invite, it adds one more layer of, "I want a pissed off team...." for next season. I'm definitely on board with that.

CRAFTFORTHESTEAL on 3 Dec 2012 - 11:01pm #

Johnny Football beats Bama now favorite, yet he loses the other two big games. IN MY OPINION he is good, but nothing great, Klein is solid but got shut down by Baylor. Te'o is a great defender yet as a 5 star guy, took four years to get to where he is. Brax IMO is the best in the land, going 12-0 is hard anyway you twist it, and he carried the load early on. So say he isn't ready or knock him for whatever reasons. I'd take Braxton any day of the week over the three invited. Hopefully next year he will prove the founders wrong. Go Bucks Go 5

Pay It Forward!

Maestro on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:12am #

??? Te'o had 129 tackles as a sophomore and 128 as a junior.

vacuuming sucks

Buckeyejason on 4 Dec 2012 - 9:45am #

Thankyou! I've noriced people on here acting like he hasn't done shit in his career at ND. Cluelessness!

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

OldColumbusTown on 4 Dec 2012 - 9:48am #

That, to me, is what makes this "unbelievable" season of his so amazing.

Other than his inordinate number of interceptions, Te'o has done nothing more impressive this season than he has previously. Actually, you could say his defensive mates stepped up and played better, which is what has led to ND's great season defensively and their 12-0 record. Does that make Te'o the most outstanding player this season? Frankly, I think there's been a hype machine that started from the get-go this season on Te'o, and his personal story/tragedy helped feed that along the way, along with ND's overall success.

Te'o is a very, very good college LB, but it's hard for me to see what exactly he's done (individually) to warrant even a Heisman invite, let alone the possibility of being named this season's best player.

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"

CRAFTFORTHESTEAL on 3 Dec 2012 - 11:03pm #

If OSU goes 12-0 and there is only one other undefeated or none, they will be NC bound.

Pay It Forward!

kr66osu on 3 Dec 2012 - 11:12pm #

Whatever

He faded away after the Purdue game and that's what killed him. If it was my choice he would be there but I understand why he isn't.

Buck_Michigan on 3 Dec 2012 - 11:19pm #

no gripes here....the best is yet to come. I'd rather BM wins the Heisman, then goes out and destroys some SEC team to win the National Championship something Troy Smith came close to but not close enough...I'm willing to wait.

2012 Beat Michigan Tail gate: UFM: "Let’s beat the sh*t out of Michigan, have a good night."

BuckeyeBoyer85 on 4 Dec 2012 - 12:53am #

Ahh phooey! What a crock o'crap wrapped in moldy bologna!

Hey, an invite woulda been cool considering we went undefeated and he was our best player. (I was under the assumption that "best player on best team" was a prerequisite)
Not too upset, cause he got his 1st pair of gold pants.

Heinskitz Velver, professional dolphin trainer.

Wayne Woodrow Hayes

ShowThemOhiosHere on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:01am #

I did say that if they only invited 3, he wouldn't get an invite, and I was right. Son of a bitch. Oh well, if he keeps up his game next year, he'll be there.

Class of 2010.

NoVA Buckeye on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:03am #

Hoping for either Klein or Te'o to win it all, not Johnny Fooseball

/Duff'd It

Maestro on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:08am #

It's Manziel's award. 40+ TD's. All-time total offense records in the SEC. Beat Bama with a Heisman-like performance. In the bag IMHO.

vacuuming sucks

theDuke on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:12am #

ughh, please say it aint so, Maestro! OptimusKlein has some pretty redonkulus #s this season too... but you might be right, the one loss to Baylor is really the difference. Would not shock me to see T'eo (sp?) take it home. oh well, i've no horse in the race so i don't really give a hoot.

theDuke

Maestro on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:17am #

Not a fan of anything TAMU, but he had 100 more yards PER GAME in total offense than Klein did. Not to mention accounting for 6 more TD's. Don't see how those numbers can be overlooked. More total yards than sCam Newton had. That will get votes.

vacuuming sucks

pjtobin on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:26am #

I don't know much about these three young men. Only that one is a stud linebacker. On a undefeated team. And I'm a d kinda guy. Not to take anything away from the other two kids. I just think a d player winning it would be cool.

Bury me in my away jersey, with my buckeye blanket. A diehard who died young. Rip dad.

sir rickithda3rd on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:35am #

i think manziel deserves it.... his number speak for themselves... i also think if brax woulda started slower and ended hot he woulda got more recognition

mark may wins douchebag of the year... again

Timotheos on 4 Dec 2012 - 1:47am #

Manziel should get it. No question about it. Teo is great and all, but I don't think he should be in New York. He is a great leader and probably a good human being, but that is not what the trophy is for. If they are only sending 3, Braxton probably shouldn't be there. If he ended the season well, then yes. However, Lee or Barner would be next in line as things played out.

Buckeyefan9973 on 4 Dec 2012 - 2:32am #

I haven't read all of the comments but IMHO, ESPN will make sure a SEC player is in NYC from here until forever, I hope this Fox Sports thing works out. I am not taking anything away from those invited, but to not include Braxton and Lee is just simple bias and payback for the success of the Big 10 Network.