Robert Mayer – USA TODAY Sports
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish “stirred the echoes” in 2012 and rode a perfect season all the way up to the BCS National Championship game where they ran into a buzzsaw named the Alabama Crimson Tide. For the Irish to maintain their renewed levels of success, they will need a breakout season from junior quarterback Everett Golson, which many people are predicting. The young signal caller showed plenty of promise during this first full season as a starter, but can he turn that promise into more next season and win the 2013 Heisman Trophy?
Some pundits think he has a shot. The Heisman Pundit, Chris Huston, released his watch list for the 2013 Heisman race and Golson was the lone representative from Notre Dame to crack the list. While last season was highlighted by the defense and Manti Te’o coming as close as any pure defensive player to college football’s highest individual honor, it appears the perception around South Bend is for the offense to take the lead next fall.
For that to happen, Golson will have to make some major strides under center. He showed flashes of playmaking ability last season, finishing the year completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 2,405 yards with 12 passing touchdowns to six interceptions. He added 298 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground as well to make himself viable enough as a dual threat quarterback to make defensive coordinators prepare for it.
But if Golson hopes to lead this offense back to the top of the college football mountain top and hoist a Heisman Trophy of his own, he needs to become more consistent and decisive, particularly in big-game situations. Last year, he ranked No. 61 in total offense, gaining nearly 1,500 yards less than the nation’s leading offensive weapon and defending Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
The opportunity will be in front of Golson to cement his legacy at Notre Dame with another BCS run and Heisman Trophy candidacy. Will he be able to capitalize in 2013?
You can follow me on Twitter @Teeblerone and Rant Sports @RantSports
