Green starts the Murray-for-Heisman 2011 campaign

Yeah, I know it sounds far-fetched. But this is what Georgia’s A.J. Green said when asked about his quarterback on Sunday:

“He’s gonna be something special. He’s probably gonna be up for the Heisman next year.”

Whoa there, A.J.

Yeah, Murray has had a fantastic freshman season – 24 passing touchdowns, only six picks, 2,851 passing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. But the Heisman?

Hey, no one figured Cam Newton would win it this year. So, why not?

A wise reporter (clearly, not me) followed up by pointing out to Green that Georgia would have to do better than 6-6.

“Yeah, we’re gonna do that,” Green said. “We’re gonna do that.”

(And by “we,” Green probably means as an alumnus watching from the NFL. But that’s a whole other matter.)

Actually, let’s break this down, first by the top 10 receiving Heisman votes this year:

1. Newton: Almost certainly going pro.
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Ditto.
3. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: A sophomore, he will enter as one of the frontrunners next year.
4. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: The junior, who with his height doesn’t make for a surefire NFL prospect, has said he’s coming back to school. And his first game next year? Against Murray and the Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome.
5. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: Also a sophomore, but not many receivers since Desmond Howard have been in the running for the award.
6. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan: The sophomore’s candidacy may depend on whether or not his coach spends the offseason recruiting well or creeping everybody out by playing Josh Groban songs.
7. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas: The junior is almost certainly gone to the NFL.
8. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada: A senior this year.
9. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU: Ditto.
10. Owen Marecic, FB-LB, Stanford: Also a senior.

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, the SEC freshman of the year, also got a few votes. Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure, a junior, would also be someone to watch if he returns.

Sadly, the Heisman has basically become the award to the best player on the nation’s best team, or at least one of them.

So basically, sure, Murray could make a run next year – but he has to at least lead Georgia to the SEC championship game, and possibly further.

And yes, I just spent an entire blog post breaking down Aaron Murray’s chances for the Heisman Trophy. Hey, it’s a slow week. (So far.)