Bart Starr. Joe Namath. Kenny Stabler. Lee Roy Jordan. Cornelius Bennett. Derrick Thomas. David Palmer. Shaun Alexander. None of these heroes of Alabama football won the Heisman Trophy. For a program that has 12 national championships and 22 Southeastern Conference titles, the other major accomplishment in college football was something that had been lacking from the Tide trophy case for years. No longer.

Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram added one of the more incredible accomplishments of the team this year, becoming Bama’s first-ever Heisman winner, and the third consecutive sophomore to take home the award. The win was the closest in the history of the award, 75-Heismans deep. For the first time in years, stiffarmtrophy.com got the final lineup wrong. It had Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in third, ahead of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, but in fact the two flipped positions in the final results.

1. MARK INGRAM, RUNNING BACK, ALABAMA
Votes: 1,304 (227)
2. TOBY GERHART, RUNNING BACK, STANFORD
Votes: 1,276 (222)
3. COLT MCCOY, QUARTERBACK, TEXAS
Votes: 1,145 (203)
4. NDAMUKONG SUH, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, NEBRASKA
Votes: 815 (161)
5. TIM TEBOW, QUARTERBACK, FLORIDA
Votes: 390 (43)

Perhaps the most memorable part of the ceremony was Ingram totally losing it when he went on the dais, having to take a few seconds to compose himself. It was only about a minute or two into the acceptance speech that the 2009 winner was able to get himself together enough to roll through the rest of his thank-yous.

“I’m a little overwhelmed right now,” Ingram said at the podium. “I’m just so excited to bring Alabama their first Heisman winner.” Afterward, the super sophomore told the assembled media, “I was overwhelmed, really excited, just the fact that I’m the first Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Alabama and doing this for my family. It hasn’t been easy for us.”

Alabama football is an emotional endeavor, so most of us who slagged on Tebow for crying during the SEC Championship Game gave Ingram a pass. Double standards are the spice of life in sports.

This season, Ingram put up 1,542 rushing yards on 249 attempts for 6.2 yards-per-carry and 15 touchdowns, despite being extremely limited in action against the patsies of the Tide schedule. He also has 30 receptions for 322 yards, for 10.7 yards-per-catch and three touchdowns.

Ingram wins

Ingram’s interview with ESPN’s Chris Fowler

There’s only one step left: beating Texas in Pasadena in the BCS National Championship Game. If Alabama can do that, and there is significant thought to believe that it’s possible, 2009 could go down as one of the greatest years in the 117-year history of Crimson Tide football.

It’s alive! Like Lazarus in the Bible or something out of a George Romero film, Alabama running back Mark Ingram‘s chances at the Heisman Trophy are looking pretty good, a week after it seemed all was lost when Auburn shut him down. Against what was then the best defense in the nation, Ingram put up 113 yards rushing and three touchdowns. But hey, that’s not all. He also caught two balls for 76 yards. That’s 189 all-purpose yards, Broseph, and it could be enough to take Ingram to New York.

The back’s main competition going into Saturday’s games was Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (cue sound of .38s going off). As last week was great for McCoy and horrible for Ingram, this week was a flipped script. Against a rather poor Nebraska team in the Big XII Championship Game, the Longhorn slinger went 20-of-36 for 184 yards. OK, not that bad. Except for the three picks and no touchdowns. Based on the games Saturday, Tide quarterback Greg McElroy looks more like the Macker that should be going for the trophy.

The Heisman ballots have to be mailed off or submitted online by Monday, and next weekend we’ll find out if McCoy or Ingram will be bringing home the goods.

The doctors called it shortly after the end of Alabama‘s last-minute victory over Auburn. The noise of the flat-lining was loud. Alabama running back Mark Ingram‘s bid to become the program’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner was killed by the Auburn defense, and linebacker Josh Bynes in particular. After two weeks of looking at tape, the Tigers’ defensive braintrust had Bynes shadow the prolific back, and Ingram was rendered totally ineffective.

Call it the SI jinx, say that it was Auburn’s extensive prep time, but it was truly disheartening to watch a player who has been dominant through 11 games look like a scrub. But it wasn’t like he wasn’t trying. Every time the Tigers brought him down, they had to use six, seven, eight defenders in a gang-tackle. The super sophomore couldn’t get out of the gate. Since Auburn apparently designed its entire defense to stop Ingram, it’s no surprise that his compliment, Trent Richardson, had limited success.

Ingram’s stats are just woeful. There were 16 carries for 30 yards, a stultifying 1.9 yards per carry. Not that it matters, but he also had three catches for 21 yards. Considering Texas quarterback Colt McCoy’s outrageous performance the night before, it’s Kid Six-Shooter’s award to lose.

But, it’s not all bad. Providing that Ingram’s late-game hip injury isn’t serious, he could still have a good game against Florida and win the Doak Walker Award. That doesn’t really matter, though. What matters is winning out and being one of the best players on a national championship team.

With two weeks left, and Alabama staring at a trip to Auburn and the SEC Championship Game, Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram still isn’t letting go of first place in the Heisman Trophy race. Against UT-Chattanooga, he was pulled with 10 minutes left in the second quarter, but still put up 102 yards rushing on 11 carries with two touchdowns.

The other major contenders, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, can’t seem to make the jump to force Ingram out of the top spot. Considering the next two games for Ingram are big ones, and Ingram tends to perform on an exceptional level in big games, could spell the end of the race. However, the Tide need to keep winning. A big showing against Auburn on Friday and besting Florida’s tough run defense would sew it up.

HeismanPundit.com
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 58 (10)
2. Colt McCoy, Texas, 40 (1)
3. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 33 (1)
4. Tim Tebow, Florida, 20
5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 13

ESPN.com Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 73 (13)
2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 47 (1)
3. Colt McCoy, Texas, 32
4. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 24
5. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 20 (1)

CBS Sports Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 44 (3)
2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 34 (1)
3. Colt McCoy, Texas, 28 (1)
4. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 10
5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 6

Of course, Sports Illustrated isn’t doing anything to help the matter, laying the dreaded SI jinx by putting Ingram on the cover and giving him a five-page feature in the magazine.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram shot to the top of the Heisman Trophy watch lists after his 249-yard performance against Carolina, but until now, the university has laid off promoting him. Coach Nick Saban really doesn’t want to deal with that distraction, and pulled Ingram halfway through the second quarter on Saturday after the back picked up over 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Now, though, the UA creative media people have put together one of their fabulous Web videos to throw in a little home support.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram is moving even closer to becoming the Crimson Tide’s first Heisman Trophy winner, after his performance against Mississippi State during the past weekend. He had 19 rushes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Without a doubt, the totals won’t look as good this Saturday versus UT-Chattanooga. In the other patsy games, Ingram put up 56 and 91 yards, respectively. Also, head coach Nick Saban will want to save his starters for the Auburn game the day after Thanksgiving.

Season totals, through 10 games
Rushing: 194 attempts, 1,297 yards, 10 touchdowns
Receiving: 25 receptions, 225 yards, 3 touchdowns

Both HesimanPundit.com and the ESPN Heisman Watch are giving Ingram more points, but what was a one running back, two quarterback race is more of a mixed affair.

HeismanPundit.com
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 59 (10)
2. Colt McCoy, Texas, 35 (1)
3. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 33 (1)
4. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 23
5. Tim Tebow, Florida, 16

ESPN.com Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 72 (12)
2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 42 (1)
3. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 37
4. Tim Tebow, Florida, 24
5. Colt McCoy, Texas, 23

CBS Sports Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 47 (4)
2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 34 (1)
3. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 21
4. Dion Lewis, Pitt, 12
5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 9

Alabama running back Mark Ingram is still on pace to win the Crimson Tide’s first Heisman Trophy as the team prepares to claim its 10th win of the season, a 7 p.m. ESPN tilt against Mississippi State. In his game versus LSU, Ingram ran for 144 yards on 22 carries for 6.5 yards-per-carry. It was his third-best YPC game of the year, behind North Texas (11.4) and Carolina (10.3). Ingram also caught five passes for 30 yards. He would be the second sophomore to win the award, following Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in 2007.

HeismanPundit.com
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama — 55 (9)
2. Case Keenum, Houston — 29 (1)
3. Colt McCoy, Texas — 28 (2)
4. Tim Tebow, Florida — 24
5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson — 16

ESPN Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama — 65 (10)
2. Case Keenum, Houston — 40 (1)
3. Tim Tebow, Florida — 31 (1)
4. Colt McCoy, Texas — 28 (1)
5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson — 26

CBS Heisman Watch
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama — 54 (4)
2. Case Keenum, Houston — 46 (2)
3. Colt McCoy, Texas — 22
4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford — 9
5. Ryan Matthews, Fresno State — 7

We’re as surprised as anyone else, but Alabama running back continues to lead the race for the Heisman Trophy, according to two widely-watched handicapping polls. Over the weekend, Ingram rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries for 5.5 yards-per-carry, no touchdowns and one fumble. It was his first lost fumble in his time at Alabama.

Still, he’s doing OK. After eight games, Ingram has 1,004 yards rushing on 153 carries for 6.6 yards-per-carry and eight touchdowns. He also has 186 yards receiving from 19 catches for 9.8 yards-per-reception and three touchdowns.

The HeismanPundit.com poll, which has been pretty accurate since it started, goes like this:

1. Mark Ingram, 56 (9)
2. Jimmy Clausen, 26 (1)
3. Colt McCoy, 25

ESPN.com’s poll also has Ingram with a significant lead.

1. Mark Ingram, 57 (7)
2. Jimmy Clausen, 43 (4)
3. Tim Tebow, 41 (3)

With the bye week, Ingram will probably lose ground. Notre Dame takes on Washington State, who the Irish should destroy, Texas gets Oklahoma State, it’s toughest opponent for the rest of the season, and Florida goes to the Cocktail Party versus a Georgia team that has shown little in the way of defense all year.

However, if Ingram can put up the numbers he should with a the week off, the Crimson Tide could see its first Heisman winner.

After his 246-yard rushing game against Carolina, Alabama running back Mark Ingram has shot to the top of a number of Heisman Trophy rankings. We’re kind of doubtful about Ingram winning the trophy, since Crimson Tide back Shaun Alexander was denied and so was Arkansas back Darren McFadden. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is our prime suspect for the award, because whenever anyone says his name, it’s accompanied by the sound of Colt .45s (the gun, not the malt beverage).

So, piggybacking on the Chuck Norris trope (“trope” is the new “meme”), Roll Bama Roll put together the Top 10 Mark Ingram facts.

1. Mark Ingram can boil water with the power of his stare. Ingram got the idea after seeing Firestarter on cable at the age of seven and, after three weeks of practice, was able to bring a full stock pot to a rolling boil within 30 seconds.

2. It was actually Mark Ingram who produced The Grey Album. Though DJ Danger Mouse is universally credited for the Jay-Z/Beatles mash-up, it was Ingram who conceived the idea and did all the mixing.  Though Ingram knew his work would inevitably be hailed as a stroke of genius and create huge publicity for himself, he instead sent it to Danger Mouse out of a desire to distance himself from both the Beatles, who he considers overrated, and Jay-Z, his romantic rival for the affections of Beyonce.  This also explains why Gnarls Barkley, the much hyped Danger Mouse follow up, kinda sucks.

3. Wes Anderson’s Rushmore is a highly fictionalized retelling of a real love triangle involving Mark Ingram, Eva Mendes, and Willem Dafoe. Eva still calls.

4. Mark Ingram is behind Steve Spurrier’s complaints over the use of tape on place kicks and piped in music. Not satisfied with his on the field humiliation of Spurrier and the Gamecocks, Ingram decided to use his powers of mind control to make Spurrier seem petty and small in defeat as well.

5. Mark Ingram once prepared a full seven course meal for a stray dog. The dog hasn’t required food since.

6. Mark Ingram’s body is so efficient that he does not produce waste. He does, however, still excuse himself to the restroom to read and avoid awkward social situations.

7. At age 12 Mark Ingram performed a flawless rendtion of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, despite having never touched a single musical instrument previously (or since).

8. In a previous life Mark Ingram was a tank serving in Patton’s Third Army, and took place in the rescue of the 101st Airborne division that was surrounded by German forces at Bastogne.  Though the Airborne troops famously claimed afterwards that they didn’t need rescuing from the Nazis, what they didn’t admit was that they needed rescuing from Mark Ingram who, when set to “kill”, no longer possesses the ability to tell friend from foe.  It is his only known design flaw.

9. Mark Ingram bench presses ice cream trucks to stay in shape during the offseason. This disappoints Coach Saban, who knows he can do better.

10. Alabama’s “Wildcat” package has several designed pass plays, though Ingram is no longer allowed to run them. The property damage and loss of life becamse too much during spring practice.