Heisman Trophy Watch: the Top 5 Contenders in 2008

Nothing gets college football fans frothing at this time of year more than the Heisman Trophy race, especially in the south, SEC country. Last years' top 2, Tim Tebow and Darren McFadden both played their college football in the SEC, year in and year out the best conference in college football.

However, football's offensive "skill players", quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, have almost exclusively won the most hyped award in sports. Sorry SEC fans, (of which i am one), this years' crop of skill players, other than Tebow, reside mainly in the Big 12. The Big 12 has a big edge at the quarterback position over their SEC counterparts in 2008.

After you get past Tim Tebow, what you have in the SEC are journeymen players such as Casey Dick, John Parker Wilson, overrated Matthew Stafford and a host of "never wases". Yes, those Big 12 QBs wouldn't pile up the stats as high against SEC defenses, but there is no question that the Big 12 has the better passers and passcatchers this season. Here are the top 5 contenders, 4 quarterbacks and a lone receiver, as there is simply not a Darren McFadden-type dominant runner this season.

5. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Two things keep Bradford from ranking higher. The sophomore bugaboo that only Tim Tebow last year has been able to break through when Tebow became the first soph to ever win the Heisman Trophy and the fact that since OU's loss to Texas, Bradford has been overshadowed in his own conference. A 67.9 completion percentage, 3406 yards passing and 38 touchdown passes against only 6 interceptions, with 4 more touchdowns rushing are quite impressive numbers. Not to mention a whopping 10.32 yards per passing attempt and a QB rating of 188.94. Maybe next year.

4. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

This sophomore broke all the freshman receiving records nationally in 2007. Even though his stats are slightly down in 2008, Crabtree still has over 1,000 yards receiving with two regular season games to go and possibly the Big 12 championship game. 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns as a freshman is a hard act to follow, but Crabtreee has 18 touchdowns in 2008. Quite simply, the best college receiver these eyes have ever seen and I've been watching the game for 40 years. Crabtree's combination of size, 6'3 214, with cat-like agility, speed and great hands are unmatched in the college game.

3. Tim Tebow, QB Florida

Sorry Gator fans, but Tebow's numbers are way down this season. While most of the reason is probably that there are more and better play makers around Tebow in 2008, let's face it, the Heisman Trophy is and always has been about stats. Tim Tebow was not well served by all the over the top, borderline sickening hypefrom last season. All the "Superman wears Tim Tebow underwear" crap did nothing but raise the stakes if Tebow hoped to become the 2nd repeat winner of the Heisman Trophy. Alas, even though Tim Tebow is a better all-round player this season, it's all about stats and Tebow's touchdowns have almost been cut in half in 2008 with 27 total with 3 games to go counting the SEC title game.

2. Graham Harrell, QB Texas Tech

4,077 pass yards, 36 touchdown passes, 6 more rushing and a 71.7 completion percentage would make Harrell a cinch if he played at a more high profile school. Still, there is the perception that in the Texas Tech system, many quarterbacks could produce such numbers. Guys like Kliff Kingsbury and some whose names I can't even recall have put up staggering statistics in Mike Leach's pass-happy offensive scheme. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if Harrell walked off with the Heisman Trophy, I just don't think he will.

1. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

3,402 passing yards, 448 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns total and an incredible 78% passing percentage make Colt McCoy the probable choice to win the 2008 Heisman. Yes, Graham Harrell has 7 more touchdowns, but his total yardage is only up by about 150 yards over McCoy and as I said earlier, Harrell will be penalized by the question of whether he is a "system quarterback" such as Andre Ware or David Klingler in the early 90's in Houston's run and shoot.

No quarterback, not even Vince Young, has ever put up numbers at Texas like Colt McCoy this season . Even though Quan Cosby is a fine receiver, there is no one anywhere near Michael Crabtree for McCoy to throw or hand the ball to. McCoy has meant more to his team than any other player in 2008. Texas in September beat my beloved Arkansas Razorbacks 52-10. If you had taken Colt McCoy and put him at QB for the Hogs and put Casey Dick at QB for the 'Horns, no kidding, it would have been a close game, the two quarterbacks' performances were that much different.

Plus, ESPN has run the story on Gameday more than once about Colt McCoy dedicating the season to his best friend who was killed in a car wreck after returning home from Iraq. The Heisman voters might be more inclined to vote for McCoy as a result.

This list is not necessarily how I would vote, but how I think the vote will turn out in December. The only reason Tim Tebow is as high as he is is due to him having more of a target on his back in 2008. I would probably put Michael Crabtree at #2, he's that dominant. As for players like Chase Daniel being left off the list, anyone who saw Daniel against Oklahoma State surely crossed his name off their list then and there.