Heisman Watch

By MATT PIKE

How do you put a Heisman Trophy race on hold in the middle of the season? You schedule Texas Tech and Oklahoma to have byes on the same week. How do you absolutely redeem yourself Dumb & Dumber style? Give us Texas Tech at Oklahoma with the Heisman Trophy, an undefeated season, and a trip to the Big 12 Championship on the line. Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it – enjoy points.

Graham Harrell has everything right in front of him. He is still the frontrunner for the Heisman and the only contender besides his teammate, Michael Crabtree that is on an undefeated team. The hardest challenge may not be beating Oklahoma, but proving to Heisman voters that he is not a system quarterback. Of course you have to marvel at the 4,077 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, but you need to look at what those numbers translate to. In Harrell’s case – all wins.

AHEAD: at Oklahoma (Nov. 22). The winner of this game will most likely represent the Big 12 in the BCS Championship game.

Sam Bradford moves into second place on the list simply because he has the best chance to overtake Harrell. It is amazing that Bradford has put up 3,406 yards and 38 touchdowns and is often the third quarterback talked about in the Big 12. Should Bradford lead the Sooners to victory on Saturday, it will complete a round robin between Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. Each team will have a record of 1-1. Who goes to the Big 12 Championship game?

AHEAD: vs. Texas Tech (Nov. 22). This one has more than the Heisman Trophy at stake. The winner likely controls its own destiny in the BCS.

Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns might benefit from an Oklahoma victory this weekend. We would have the aforementioned round robin results and the nod could ultimately go to Texas. Oklahoma hosted one game, Texas Tech hosted one game, but Texas did not host a game. The fact that McCoy led Texas to victory over Oklahoma on a neutral field should speak volumes not only about which team is better, but about which quarterback is better. McCoy has thrown for 3,134 and 30 touchdowns. His 77.2 percent completion rate goes about and beyond impressive

AHEAD: Texas A&M (Nov. 28). This game could get ugly. His competition, Harrell and Bradford, combined for 770 yards and seven touchdowns through the air against the Aggies.

Michael Crabtree continues to be the lone non-quarterback near the top. Not only are the Heisman and BCS at stake against Oklahoma, but Crabtree has a streak to protect. His eight-catch, three-touchdown performance against Oklahoma State last week was his 13th-straight game with at least five catches and one score, tying Randy Moss. He needs to do it again against Oklahoma to tie Larry Fitzgerald’s record of 14.

AHEAD: at Oklahoma (Nov. 22). If you don’t know by now, you haven’t been paying attention.

Heisman Watch Prediction
1. Graham Harrell
2. Sam Bradford
3. Colt McCoy
4. Michael Crabtree
5. Tim Tebow
6. Javon Ringer