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College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for the past 15 years
The upcoming 2010 college season will begin the Blog this month.
This presents an interesting group of premier players rated as the top Heisman Trophy candidates. For the first time, there are two former Heisman Trophy winners in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow returning with each hoping to become only the second player in college history to win two of the games’ most coveted award. Only riunning back Archie Griffin of Ohio St. has won two Heisman Trophy Awards during the Woody Hayes power teams of the 1970s
This year the top three vote getters return from last year, all QBs, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are each back at the helm with highly ranked teams that should make the both the Heisman Trophy award and national championship race highly competitive battles with the winning player and team probably claiming both trophies. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’s Colt McCoy face a key matchup in early October in the Red River Rivalry that will have a strong bearing on both the Heisman Trophy and National title races. I voted for Colt McCoy last season and felt the late loss to Texas Tech probably cost him the coveted award. If a Texas defender could have tackled TT wideout Michael Crabtree at the yard line we might be discussing Colt McCoy pursuing a second Heisman Trophy award this fall. Such is college football.
Florida’s Tim Tebow will lead the Gators in an attempt to repeat as national champions and his second Heisman award. Only two teams since the 1980s have repeated as national champions and the Gators certainly have several critical components inline to claim another title. Tebow actually received the most first place votes in the Heisman Trophy last year, but came in 3rd in the overall voting. Florida plays in the tough SEC, but faces an average schedule this fall with no Alabama, Auburn or Ole Mss on the regular schedule. A key early SEC matchup with LSU in October could have a strong bearing on both the national title and Heisman races and eventual winners in those prestigious awards
Heisman Trophy Preseason Candidates
QB Sam Bradford - 6’3” 215 lbs - Oklahoma
Athletic fourth year junior QB has had an incredible early career with the Sooners that includes winning the Heisman award last season. He is a big tough passer who has a quick compact delivery with good touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play and has gained valuable experience after starting the past three seasons in this premier program. His chances of repeating as the Heisman winner may hinge on his performance in the Red River Rivalry vs Texas’s Colt McCoy in a head to head classic. He is a good runner and shows the ability to throw effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He needs to refine his game in all areas related to the NFL and will be working with many new offensive starters this fall.
QB Tim Tebow - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Florida
Savvy senior passer has developed nicely in the efficient pro style Gator. He has a good arm with a nice touch and the quick release to get the ball to receivers. He has shown fine arm strength with nice development especially in his accuracy. He won the Heisman award as a sophomore in ’07 and actually earned the most first place Heisman ballots last year when he finished 3rd in the overall balloting. He looks to compete vs Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for both the Heisman award and national title in what looks like the winner takes all competition. He shows the ability to make the difficult throw and the quickness in the pocket to avoid a rush. His decision making is his greatest asset which has minimized mistakes throughout his early career. He is a terrific runner in the mold of Steve Young with the ability to beat you with his arm or feet.
QB Colt McCoy - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Texas
Savvy senior QB has started the past three seasons and hopes to elevate his game over his critical final season. He has made some big plays and put up fine numbers in the Longhorns balanced attack. He faces a critical October schedule that puts him head to head with Sam Bradford and Zac Robinson that could be the deciding games for both the Heisman award and Big 12 title. He is coming off a strong performance as a junior and is capable of another huge effort and leading the Longhorns the national title. He needs to impress during key matchups to be in the hunt for the elusive Heisman Trophy.
QB Terrelle Pryor - 6’5” 230 lbs. - Ohio St.
Athletic sophomore QB looks to lead the Buckeyes spread offense again and are the leaders for another Big Ten title. He is an incredible runner with tailback type skills including natural running skills and breakaway speed. He came on strong over his true freshman season gaining valuable experience vs top competition. He is exceptionally quick in the pocket and capable of making big plays with his feet and pressures a defense in a unique way. He needs further development in his throwing mechanics to be ready for the NFL game along with further work on recognizing defenses. He faces both Southern Cal and Illinois in September which could propel him into the thick of the Heisman race early. His fine athleticism makes him one of the premier athletes at the position
QB Zac Robinson - 6’3” 215 lbs. - Oklahoma St
Slick throwing senior QB looks to continue his impressive display in this wide open passing attack. He hopes to make a strong impression in head to head battles with Texas and Oklahoma QBs McCoy and Bradford. He came on strong over his sophomore and junior campaigns that make him one of the nation’s most productive passers. He has the talent to lead this explosive offense to national prominence working with talented weapons wideout Dezmon Bryant and runner Kendall Hunter. He is quick in the pocket and capable of running or spraying the ball around to a number of receivers with a nice understanding of defenses after extensive valuable playing experience.
Frank Coyle’s Heisman vote 2008
1. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
2. QB Tim Tebow - Florida
3. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
Heisman Trophy 2008 Official Finish
1. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
2. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
3. * QB Tim Tebow - Florida
4. QB Graham Harrell - Texas Tech
5. WR Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech
* Received the most first place votes in the Heisman voting 2008