2008 Heisman Watch

With only about 360 days until the 2008 Heisman Trophy is handed out it’s time to start answering some of the tough questions of next year and look back at the 2007 winner and losers:

Is Tim Tebow done with his Thank You speech yet?
How pissed is Darren McFadden last year he lost and everyone said, “It’s because you’re a sophomore” this year he lost…to a sophomore.
Who does Tim Tebow vote for next year?
Is it possible to win back – to – back trophies ever again? Leinart’s Senior numbers were better than his Junior numbers but he lost.
Will the trophy ever be given to anyone without the word “back” in their position ever again?
Should the trophy be re-awarded as the best “Back” in the game? Not since Desmond Howard in 1991 has anyone without “back” in their position won it. Cornerback Charles Woodson edged out Quarterback Peyton Manning in 1997 as the only Defensive player in the last 57 years. (4 out of the 92 total winners did not have the word “back” in their position).



Top Candidates for the 2008 Trophy (going into the offseason, draft announcements could change these results):



Tim Tebow, Florida – He has improved each year, surprised a lot of people through limited playing time his Freshman year to turn around and score 51 regular season touchdowns his Sophomore year. Impressive. He’ll have a good chance to go BCS Bowling next year with improved Gator talent, vets who were there in 2006, and a lot of players leaving for the draft on other teams.
KNOCK: In his first season as QB1 he led his team to 3 heart-breaking losses, does he have the stuff to lead the program successfully his Junior year? Also, since Archie Griffin voters are absolutely opposed to having a 2-time winner, don’t expect a lot of votes unless he scores 60+ TDs next season.



Darren McFadden, Arkansas – Deserved the trophy in 2006 and was in the running in 2007. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be a starter last year. The chances he stays are slim, but after an unimpressive season for the Hogs maybe he’ll stick around to try to help turn the program around.
KNOCK: 4 losses this season including a 17 carry 43 yard performance against Auburn. Also the high probability he will enter the NFL Draft.



Chase Daniel, Mizzou – Led Missouri to the number 1 ranking this past season. I’ll repeat, led Missouri to the #1 ranking this past season. He finished off this season with only 10 INTs to 33 TDs with an offense that was scouted by saying, “Come to Mizzou, we’re Division 1, I swear, you’ve probably seen us on the bottom of the Big XII for years”. If he stays he will improve.
KNOCK: The same reason he is at Mizzou instead of Texas or Oklahoma, size, he is not the typical quarterback size. He is under 6 foot which means occasionally heaving off his back foot under pressure which leads to turnovers. Also in his 2 biggest games (Oklahoma and Oklahoma) he had more INT’s than TDs . Those were the only two games this season where that happened.



Sam Bradford, Oklahoma – As a True Freshman under an immense amount of pressure at a Big XII powerhouse Bradford accumulated 34 TDs and only 7 INTs. He got knocked out early against Texas Tech, and Oklahoma lost by 7. He was limited against Colorado, and Oklahoma lost by 3. Oklahoma was well deserving of a shot at the National Championship over LSU and did not get the nod. Tim Tebow has opened the door for Sophomores to win the Bronze Stiff-Arm, and Bradford just might be the leading candidate.
KNOCK: He will be a Sophomore, and Tebow has not guaranteed that the age bias will go away. After a couple of injuries, will he make it through next season? Will he suffer a Sophomore Slump?



Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech – Absolutely ASTOUNDING numbers his freshman year. 125 receptions and 21 TDs for the true freshman (Tim Brown’s Heisman Winning season he had 39 Receptions for 3 TDs). The pass happy Red Raiders will only look to amass greater numbers next year, but will teams just triple cover him and allow him no catches. He is dangerous.
KNOCK: He plays at Texas Tech, and like Bradford will be a Sophomore. He can’t control how many looks he gets, there are two reasons few Wide Receivers win the Trophy. The Forward Pass wasn’t nearly that common early on and teams can guard WRs and game-plan them. If a defense takes away a QBs best target, it doesn’t matter there will be another one somewhere. The word “back” is nowhere in his position title.



Don’t be surprised to see at least 3 of the above players in New York for the ceremony next year. And surprisingly in the running for Heisman there may be 2 sophomores and a past winner as leading candidates. Something that is pretty rare in the game, but we’re looking at some serious talent next year. And don’t’ forget that there will be others vying for a chance to strike the Desmond next fall.

UPDATE: Check out Part 1 and Part 2 for updated Heisman Candidates
Also receiving votes (from me): Todd Boeckman and Chris Beanie Wells from Ohio State, Pat White and Steve Slaton from WVU if they stay, Knowshon Moreno from Georgia, Graham Harrell from Texas Tech, Colt McCoy from Texas, and the longshot Senior Willie Tuitama from Arizona.
More after the jump...