The three finalist for the 2008 Heisman trophy were announced earlier this week: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas; Tim Tebow, QB, Florida; and Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. And, just like in 2007 the race for the most prestigious award in all of sports is going right down to the finish.
Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma
302-442---4464 yds---68.3% Completion--- 48tds - 6ints
Bradford comes into the Heisman ceremony boasting the best stats amongst the three finalists. He has put up ridiculous video game-esque numbers all season long and has lead the Oklahoma Sooners to the BCS National Championship game. But, he has done all this with the help of a very talented Sooner ball club. The Sooners have, perhaps, the most dominant offensive line in all of college football. Bradford had all day to throw, all season long. He also was the beneficiary of two thousand yard rushers (Chris Brown 1110 yds 20 TDs, DeMarco Murray 1002 yds 14 TDS) and two play-making pass catchers (WR Juaquin Iglesias 60 REC 1092 YDS 10 TDS, TE Jermaine Gresham 58 REC 888 YDS 12 TDS). However, some of Bradford's stats may be skewed by the lack of defense in the Big 12.
Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
174-268---2515 yds---64.9% Completion---28 tds-2 ints
154 Rushes---564 yds---12 tds
We all know by now that Tim Tebow has cured cancer, solved global warming, and is the first man to inhabit Mars. Or at least ESPN would have you believe. In all seriousness, Tim Tebow has been a great ambassador to the sport of college football, but the hype is getting out of hand. Tebow (contrary to what the media tells you) is not one of the greatest players of all-time. There is no denying that he is a great football player but the constant "Superman Tebow" junk by the media is getting old. He doesn't deserve to win the Heisman this year and here is why. The 2008 version of Tim Tebow is not any better than the 2007 version. Tebow, with a better team surrounding him this year, has thrown for 700 less yards, 4 less touchdowns, and ran for 300 less yards, and 11 less touchdowns. The media, however, will spin this by saying that he is a better "leader" this year than last year and that is why he deserves the award. So, is that what the Heisman has come down to? Tebow should win the award because he gets his team motivated and because he made a "heartfelt" speech after the Ole Miss game saying he will try harder than anyone else in the country? Tim Tebow your 2008 Heisman winner, because he 'tried' really hard.
Colt McCoy - QB - Texas
291-375---3445 yds---77.6% Completion---32tds-7ints 128 rushes---576 yds---10tds
Colt McCoy is the most deserving of the Heisman finalists to walk away with the award Saturday night. The reason? He Tim Tebow'd better than Tim Tebow (576 yds rushing compared to Tebow's 564). He also had a phenomenal season pitching the ball around the field. While he didn't put up the same numbers as Bradford, he didn't have nearly as many weapons to work with. Texas lacked a true play-maker at receiver and McCoy was the Longhorns leading rusher. And, when comparing him to Tebow, McCoy's stats dwarf Tebow's. Can you imagine where the Longhorns would be if they had Percy Harvin? Or what McCoy's stats would look like? McCoy also had a record breaking year as he set the all-time NCAA record for completion percentage in a season. Although, the Heisman seems to have turned into nothing more than a popularity contest, McCoy is the most deserving.
Shonn Greene - RB - Iowa
278 rushes---1729 yds---6.2 yard per carry---17 tds
If your asking me, any serious Heisman discussion isn't valid without at least a mention of Shonn Greene. Few outside the Big Ten are familiar with the type of year that Greene has quitely put up on route to winning the 2008 Doak Walker award. Greene has meant more to his team than anyone in the nation. Iowa put the load on Greene's back early, and he has since carried them to an 8-4 season and another January bowl game. Without Shonn the Hawkeye's are probably looking at another 6-6 season and a trip home for the holidays. Greene only got better as the season went on and had his two best games against Wisconsin and Purdue (217, 4 Touchdowns and 211, 2 Touchdowns...respectively). Greene also rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns against a very stout Penn State defense. The same defense that Javon Ringer could only manage 42 yards against. While the Heisman goes to the most outstanding player in college football and not the most valuable, I think that Greene still deserves a mention.
The Way I Would Vote:
1. Colt McCoy
2. Sam Bradford
3. Tim Tebow
The Way It Will Probably End Up:
1. Tim Tebow
2. Colt McCoy
3. Sam Bradford
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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