If the Heisman were given for biggest beatdown of UGA, then it would be Tebows. But it's not for that. Still, who gets it?
It’s that time of year again. Ok, no, it’s not. It’s way too early to start talking Heisman. But we’re doing it anyway. Crazy, right?
Of course, this season provides the best chance of picking the winner. It’s been a three-horse race since Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy all announced their decisions to return for another year of cheap beer and mini skirts. You can pretty much mark it down — one of those three will win the Heisman.
A lot of people seem to think that McCoy will get it by defauly since he’s the only one of the three without a statue. And if last year is any indication, they may be right. Tim Tebow deserved to win his second Heisman, but was passed over by the voters for a guy with more impressive stats against less impressive competition. Of course, the Heisman is a funny thing, and it may be impossible to deny Tebow this year if he and his Gators are as impressive as they are supposed to be.
So here’s a list of the guys with the second and best chances to win the award in 2009. Two new candidates will be posted every day this week. Get your futures bets in early. I’ve also included predicted stats for each candidate.
2. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Kind of seals the deal as far as who’s number one huh?
Here’s the deal, McCoy has a very real shot this year. I’ve enjoyed making the lists here, so I’m giving out another for McCoy.
First, he plays quarterback.
Second, he plays for a team with national title hopes. A team I believe will be playing for it all come January.
Third, he’ll put up the stats. His top target is back and the offensive line and running game should be much improved.
Fourth, he’s got the legs to be “dual-threat” enough. He’s actually put up some very comparable rushing numbers to Tim Tebow at times, and he doesn’t have the same defense.
Fifth, he’ll almost certainly put up a “Heisman Moment.” He’s going to have plenty of exposure.
Sixth, he’ll get the opportunity to win on a big stage against top competition like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Seventh, he finished second last year, which was a huge surprise to me in a race that I thought was between Tebow and Bradford… but here’s what that tells us: Heisman voters are very reluctant to give anyone a second Heisman. Anyone think now that Tebow was really the third best player in the nation last year? No.
So there could very well be some truth to the rumors that McCoy will get it by default as the only member of the big three who doesn’t have the hardware yet. Not that he won’t be deserving, but it never hurts to have an ace in the hole. Right Colt?
Projected Stats: 3600 passing yards, 35 TDs, 450 rushing yards, 8 TDs
1. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
But despite all of that, I think Tim Tebow is about to join an even more exclusive club — two-time Heisman winners.
You had to see this coming… here’s one last list.
First, there’s the QB thing.
Second, there’s the statistics edge. Tebow may not have as many rushing yards, but he’ll surely get plenty of goal line carries. Which means lots of TDs.
Third, he’ll get crazy exposure. The Tennessee game will be a big one again. The cocktail party is always a huge game. Playing LSU in Tiger Stadium will draw a crowd. FSU looks to be as dangerous as they’ve been in a while. And a rematch with Ole Miss (who beat them last year) or Alabama (who put up a better game than the title game) would make for crazy ratings.
Fourth, he’ll get more credit this year. Sure, the defense will be insane, and the Gators may not play many close games, but gone are Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy. That means two less players for fans to shift the praise to. When Tebow does incredible things this year, people won’t be able to say “Oh that’s just because Harvin is so damn good.” This year it will be Tebow making those around him better, not the other way around.
Fifth, he’s going to put up great stats, like always. His passing numbers have gotten better every year, and this season won’t be an exception. He’s the ultimate dual-threat QB in the country right now.
Sixth, the Gators will be playing for another national championship. Mark it down. And more times than not, the Heisman goes to the QB of the team most likely to win it all.
The only thing that could hurt Tebow this year, in my opinion, is the fact that he may not play a lot considering the leads that UF should build early in games. Still, he was shafted in 2008, and although it will be incredibly difficult to bring home the trophy for a second time, Tebow is the one player I feel who deserves to own two metal stiff-arms.
Projected Stats: 3400 passing yards, 37 TDs, 700 rushing yards, 13 TDs
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