Oct 17, 2008 - 11:24 AM
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Last Saturday provided a new look for the Heisman election.
And it says here that Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has a chance to lock up the trophy before the United States selects its next president.
You heard it here first: if Texas can escape the next three Saturdays unscathed, the hardware will go to McCoy, who will join Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams as Longhorn winners of the Heisman.
Seems like more players from Austin should have won the Heisman, no?
COLT McCOY, QB, TEXAS
SEASON STATS: 1,557 passing yards, 79.4 percent completion rate, 17 passing TDs, 348 yards rushing, 4 rushing TDs LAST WEEK: 28-of-35 passing for 277 yards and 1 touchdown in 45-35 victory over Oklahoma NEXT OPPONENT: Missouri
OUTLOOK: Talk about coming up huge and making a big move. McCoy looked confident and strong in directing Texas past Oklahoma. He never flinched even when the Longhorns were down. Ultra-impressive performance against another Heisman heavyweight, Sam Bradford. If Texas and McCoy escape the next three weeks, they have inside track to BCS title game and the Heisman.
JAVON RINGER, RB, MICHIGAN STATE
SEASON STATS: 247 carries, 1,112 rushing yards, 14 TDs LAST WEEK: 35 carries for 124 yards, 2 touchdowns in 37-29 win over previously undefeated Northwestern NEXT OPPONENT: Ohio State
OUTLOOK: Fast start against Wildcats helped Ringer and Spartans. The true test comes on Saturday when the Buckeyes come to town. A win solidifies Ringer's position as a Heisman contender. A loss, especially at home, and we're back to wondering about the Spartans' collective soul. They have won deeper into the season than in the past. Beating the Buckeyes would be an enormous step, especially in a season when Michigan looks like it belongs in college football's subdivision.
SAM BRADFORD, QB, OKLAHOMA
SEASON STATS: 2,052 passing yards, 72.4 percent completion rate, 23 passing TDs LAST WEEK: Went 28-of-39 for 387 yards and 5 touchdowns in 45-35 loss to Texas NEXT OPPONENT: Kansas
OUTLOOK: Took it right on the chin from Colt McCoy. Bradford put up big numbers, but in the end the only ones that count are 45-35, Texas. Seemed that Slingin' Sam had the Sooners at their best when they were moving quickly and dynamically. When they started looking to sidelines and slowing the pace, momentum and game moved in Longhorns' favor. Jayhawks this week are no easy task. Sooners had best not get caught licking their wounds.
CHASE DANIEL, QB, MISSOURI
SEASON STATS: 2,055 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 76.0 percent completion rate LAST WEEK: 39-of-52 passing, 390 yards, 3 second-half interceptions, 1 TD in 28-23 loss to Oklahoma State NEXT OPPONENT: at Texas
OUTLOOK: We said last week the waters were getting deeper for Daniel and Missouri, and they failed their first test. Three second-half interceptions do lots of damage to his candidacy. Lots of passing yards mean less when you are playing catch-up. Has a chance to regain stature and place atop the scramble as Tigers travel to Austin on Saturday. Were they looking ahead? Or are they just not that good? Texas will provide the answer to those questions.
GRAHAM HARRELL, QB, TEXAS TECH
SEASON STATS: 2,311 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 67.9 percent completion rate LAST WEEK: 20-of-25 for 284 yards, two touchdowns passing, 1 running in 37-31 overtime victory over Nebraska NEXT OPPONENT: Texas A&M
OUTLOOK: Survived against a Nebraska team that was destroyed by Missouri a week earlier. We had had our doubts about the Red Raiders, and the Cornhuskers did nothing to ease them by controlling the ball and keeping Harrell on the sidelines. A win is a win, but we aren't sure Harrell and Tech will remain unscathed if they don't step it up.
MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH
SEASON STATS: 43 receptions, 653 yards, 10 TDs LAST WEEK: 5 catches, 89 yards, 2 touchdowns in 37-31 overtime victory over Nebraska NEXT OPPONENT: Texas A&M
OUTLOOK: Have a fourth-and-four and decide to go for it from your own territory? Why not when you have Crabtree, who can beat a secondary for 47 yards? Also caught two TDs to run his total to 32. This is by far the best receiver in the country and arguably the best player in the country. Anyone doubt that he could be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft?
TIM TEBOW, QB, FLORIDA
SEASON STATS: 1,235 passing yards, 62.4 percent completion rate, 10 TDs, 179 yards rushing, 3 TDs LAST WEEK: 210 passing yards on 14-of-21, 2 touchdowns, 22 yards rushing, 1 TD in 51-21 demolition of LSU NEXT OPPONENT: Bye, then Kentucky on October 25
OUTLOOK: The incumbent returns with a flourish. He hooked up with Percy Harvin for two first-quarter TDs including a 70-yarder as Florida staggered LSU. How great a play was the 2-yard TD run? Brilliant reverse pivot and ran around end to stifle any momentum LSU had. Won't repeat, but sure is fun to watch. The great debate will evolve into what kind of player he will be on the next level: a star on Sunday or just a great college player. Intriguing.
MARK SANCHEZ, QB, USC
SEASON STATS: 1,248 passing yards, 63.7 percent completion rate, 14 TDs LAST WEEK: 179 passing yards on 13-of-26, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions in 28-0 victory over Arizona State NEXT OPPONENT: at Washington State
OUTLOOK: We are willing to give the QB a break because he gutted it out against Sun Devils with the knee injured against Oregon. Still, he has a loss on his record and another weak game here. However, the opportunity to put enormous stats is in front of him this week in Pullman. Washington State is one of if not the weakest teams in the country. USC could threaten 70 after three quarters if Pete Carroll doesn't pull the third string off the field. This could be a disaster of enormous proportions.
HEISMAN HEROIC EFFORT: Toledo wideout Nick Moore had 20 catches for 162 yards as the Rockets went into Ann Arbor and embarrassed Michigan in the not-so Big House. Twenty grabs equal a season for many players. Wow!
DROPOUT: Jeremy Maclin, Missouri.
MY HEISMAN VOTE: McCoy benefits from enormous win over Bradford and Oklahoma and Daniel/Missouri's loss to take control. The schedule dictates that destiny is his.
Question or comment? E-mail barry.werner@pa-sportsticker.com.
