Monday, December 10, 2007
Tebow Robs Heisman From the Cradle
With Tim Tebow becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy since its conception in 1935, the question of whether he should have won it must be asked. Each of the four leading candidates for the award had advantages and disadvantages to his name, but did Tebow's pros outweigh his cons?
Tim Tebow's main pro was quite obviously statistics. With 29 passing touchdowns and 22 rushing touchdowns, Tebow delivered a touchdown of each variety in every single game he played in, something no other Heisman candidate could even come close to saying. But Tebow did not have a moment that many analysts and commentators refer to as a "Heisman Moment." Tebow and the Gators lost to three tough SEC opponents in four weeks, Auburn, LSU, and Georgia. LSU and Georgia were the two teams from the SEC that received BCS Bowl bids, whereas Florida received no such prize and wasn't really in the running for one with those three conference losses hanging over their heads.
The schedule for the Gators really worked against Tebow's chances of having a "Heisman Moment." Though the Gators trounced Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida Atlantic, and Florida State, none of those teams was anywhere near the top of their conference and all were easy wins. In the end, Tebow won the Heisman the same way Ohio State was allowed into the BCS Championship Game — by not playing anybody of significance and therefore not screwing up.
Darren McFadden was truly the only candidate with a "Heisman Moment." McFadden led the Arkansas Razorbacks over the top-ranked LSU Tigers in a triple overtime victory that was arguably the greatest game of the entire college football season. McFadden posted over 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing) in that thriller. McFadden's largest drawback was that his Razorbacks lost four conference games and were only ranked in the Top 25 for their first two games.
If McFadden's performance would have truly knocked the LSU Tigers out of contention for the BCS championship, I believe McFadden would have been more highly considered. With every top-ranked team losing in the last two weeks, LSU snuck in to the championship game and McFadden and the Razorbacks' victory became a footnote.
Colt Brennan had 1,000 more passing yards than Tebow in 2007, but Brennan actually had a better season statistically in 2006 and wasn't even truly considered for the Heisman, even with over 5,500 yards passing and 58 touchdown passes. But he was up for the award this year with a measly 4,100 yards passing and a meager 38 touchdown passes. Interestingly enough, even though Brennan and the Warriors are in a second-tier conference (WAC), it is Brennan who is the only Heisman candidate who actually will be leading his team in a BCS bowl game. Brennan will lead his undefeated Hawaii Warriors into the Sugar Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs on New Years Day.
Chase Daniel also had 1,000 more passing yards than Tebow, but Daniel's biggest downfall was not rising to the occasion against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game, a loss that ruined Missouri's chances not only of the BCS championship, but of any BCS bowl game whatsoever. Daniel ended on too much of a down note to receive any real consideration.
So, to sum it all up, Tebow had the stats, but not the team and not the moment. McFadden had the moment and for the most part, the stats, but by no means the team. Colt Brennan had the team (just in the wrong conference) and the stats, but no available moments against any teams of consequence (besides perhaps the Broncos of Boise State). Brennan should have combined his stats of last year and the team's record of this year then nobody in their right mind would have argued with his winning the trophy. And Chase Daniel blew it.
Overall, I'd say Tebow is a decent and deserving winner, but McFadden's performance against LSU would have made me vote for him over Tebow.