Heisman Watch

By MATT PIKE

It’s only our first week, but we’re going to cut right to the chase and it isn’t Daniel. We have a colossal main event this week in Lubbock, Texas. No. 1 Texas and Heisman Trophy front-runner Colt McCoy visit No. 6 Texas Tech and Heisman Trophy candidate Graham Harrell. Match-ups that have both BCS and Heisman implications are few and far between. One of these two quarterbacks will lose and fall down the list. Ready to take their place are Tim Tebow and Florida vs. Knowshon Moreno and Georgia in the under card. We’re not just hooking you in with a powerful pilot…promise.

Colt McCoy made it three straight weeks of knocking off a highly ranked conference rival. McCoy showed why he is the leader in the Heisman race by throwing for 391 yards and two touchdowns versus Oklahoma State. He also completed 38-of-45 passes, raising his completion percentage to an eye-opening 81.8 percent. The junior gunslinger must have been rusty considering he was a ridiculous 29-of-32 the week before against Missouri. McCoy has 21 passing touchdowns and has rushed for another seven. He is on pace to pass for over 3,300 yards and 30 touchdowns.

AHEAD: at Texas Tech. Expect huge numbers from McCoy. He’ll want to show why he is the best college quarterback in the state of Texas.

Graham Harrell could very well be a video game quarterback. Before reading further, please realize that these are not on pace numbers, but actual real time totals. Harrell has thrown for 3,147 yards and 28 touchdowns in eight games. We have seen many quarterbacks in pass-heavy systems beat up on bad teams and compile numbers. What makes Harrell a legitimate contender is the fact that he has Texas Tech undefeated and McCoy coming to his house. Harrell becomes the new number one with a victory on Saturday.

AHEAD: vs. Texas. The Heisman Trophy and a BCS berth are on the line. Both quarterback’s arms will be loaded and ready to fire.

Sam Bradford is just another Big 12 quarterback looking for some Heisman love. Bradford has a chance to sneak back into the top two because one of the previously mentioned quarterbacks will lose. The sophomore signal caller threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns but he completed only 13-of-32 pass attempts (40.6). His 29 touchdowns thus far are nothing to scoff at.

AHEAD: vs. Nebraska. Harrell threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns against the Huskers. Bradford should do better.

Tim Tebow is being buried in this battle of the quarterbacks and he is the defending champion. He tied Emmitt Smith’s school-record of 36 career rushing touchdowns last week in a 63-5 rout of Kentucky. Tebow’s numbers are not nearly as impressive as the other candidates. The junior has only thrown for 1,415 yards and 12 touchdowns, but Florida is still in the National Championship hunt and he is still the reigning champ.

AHEAD: vs. Georgia. Tebow has admitted to having this game circled after last year’s loss and subsequent dancing by Bulldog players.

CFI Heisman Watch:
1. Colt McCoy
2. Graham Harrell
3. Sam Bradford
4. Tim Tebow
5. Knowshon Moreno
6. Javon Ringer

Photo Credit: Texas Tech Athletics