Johnny “Football” Manziel did win the Heisman Trophy, but he is not my NCAA Offensive Player of the Year.

My pick would have to be Northern Illinois’ quarterback, Jordan Lynch.

Nov 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch (6) runs with the ball in the third quarter of the 2012 MAC Championship against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, NIU is not a major-conference team and they might not be playing for the national championship, but they are playing in a BCS bowl game in 2013.

Lynch and the Huskies were only two points away from an undefeated season (lost their first game to Iowa 18-17). Although, Lynch was a huge part of their 12-1 season.

Lynch has throw for 2,962 yards this season. He threw 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions, but that was not all. Lynch also ran for 1,771 yards in 2012 which was the most in the MAC and third in the FBS. On top of his 24 passing touchdowns, Lynch also ran in for 19 touchdowns with his feet.

I look at the NCAA Offensive Player of the Year much like an NCAA Offensive MVP. With that being said, it is hard to say that Jordan Lynch is not the most valuable to his team.

Many might wonder how Jordan Lynch could be Offensive Player of the Year and not Johnny Manziel. In my eyes, Manziel only had one memorable game and that was his win over Alabama. On the other hand, Lynch had an entire season of great games.

If you take Jordan Lynch away from NIU, they are not 12-1 and not in a BCS bowl game this season.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @RickyWidmer.

One could choose: Braxton Miller (Ohio State), Matt McGloin (Penn State), Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State), Allen Robinson (Penn State), or Montee Ball (Wisconsin).

Although, my pick for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year would be running back, Montee Ball, from the Wisconsin Badgers.

Dec 1, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) runs past Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Andrew Green (11) during the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Ball won this award for me in the Big Ten Championship game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Wisconsin was not the favorite coming into the Big Ten Championship. Without sanctions in the Big Ten, they would not have been in that game. However, they were because both Ohio State and Penn State could not play in the 2012 Big Ten Championship game.

Ball made a statement in that game as he ran for 202 yards on 21 carries while scoring three touchdowns. The only game where he ran for more yards was against the Purdue Boilermakers, but Nebraska is not Purdue. The Cornhuskers were the favorite and Montee Ball made them look silly on defense (even though he did not do it alone).

Ball has also looked good the entire season. He has 1,730 rushing yards this season which is the most in the Big Ten and fourth in the FBS. He had nine games where he rushed for over a hundred yards and two games over 200-yards. He also is tied for fifth in the FBS with 21 rushing touchdowns this season (most in the Big Ten).

Montee Ball has been a very consistent running back for the Badgers this season and is clearly the best offensive player in the Big Ten.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @RickyWidmer.