Race for the Heisman: The Deciding Regions

My longstanding distaste for the Heisman due to its being entirely a publicity/politics vote combined in 2005 with Vince Young's losing out to Reggie Bush to tip me deep into the "don't care" camp. Nevertheless, I think I've overstated my apathy, as I find myself hoping McCoy gets the nod next week.

That's well short of an enthusiastic endorsement for the award ("The Heisman: Fans Care A Little If Their Guy's A Finalist!"), but I won't pretend to be wholly disinterested. Colt's a great kid and had a season I had no idea he had in him. Best of luck to McCoy.

[Click through link in the headline for analysis on the politics of each voting region.]

about 1 month ago PB @ BON Comment 40 comments 0 recs |

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If Bradford wins the Heisman, can we just go ahead and give Florida/Alabama the Crystal Ball? nt whills.

by jc25 on Dec 1, 2008 12:27 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

Seems like a 3-man race...

That article kept showing the names McCoy, Bradford, and Tebow…I have no problem with that. I feel like Harrell should be up there to an extent at least to break the trends, but I didn’t see his name. Even Shon Greene (my bad on spelling) is up there. I feel like Colt should get the nod if we do not get into the MNC, but Tebow and Florida’s late surge will get him many votes. Bradford has played great and also should be looked at, but I do not think he can be named as the MVP. Harrell can be called a MVP because if the Baylor game showed anything, without him playing right now the Red Raiders are not as good as a team. Greene is just a beast, who helped us out greatly against Penn State.

by BlinkOneGun on Dec 1, 2008 12:28 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

uh...

maybe by your logic the Heisman should go to Crabtree? He was the one gone and he is your playmaker. If anything, it shows that Harrell is average w/o Crabtree.

by vy til i die on Dec 1, 2008 12:50 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

no,

I was just thinking that Harrell should be up there more. Crabtree was out most of the Baylor game, and still Harrell came back without him in the second half. He is a good quarterback. Tech is a worst team without Harrell than without Crabtree

by BlinkOneGun on Dec 1, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

So Harrell carried the Red Raider Offense over the Baylor Defense in Lubbock?

Sorry, just doesn’t sound like that strong of an argument to me.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Dec 1, 2008 1:28 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

I'm not saying he carried them

But, he did play a role in the come back. He shattered 2 fingers in the first half, and had that comeback even though it was Baylor, a comeback is a comeback. I know there were 2 picks that were called back, but I think he would just be in the running jut as much as Tebow Bradford and Colt. I am just thinking that with the year he has had that he would get just as much of a bid as anyone else. I’m not campaigning for Harrell, I want Colt to win just as much as anyone.

by BlinkOneGun on Dec 1, 2008 1:33 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

And he played no role in their ineffectiveness for the rest of the game?

Leading a comeback over Baylor, at home, is not Heisman material. For Harrell its about his gaudy stats, the final drive against Texas, and blowing up OSU. Its not about Baylor.

It will take an undefeated Tech team to get a Tech QB the Heisman, no matter how good they are.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Dec 1, 2008 1:41 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

I agree

but, I still thought I would see his name more on that article…just stating my opinion.

by BlinkOneGun on Dec 1, 2008 1:53 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

…against Baylor…with nine breaks in two fingers…kind of cool against air, much less an opponent.

by Tech92 on Dec 1, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Great for him

But against Baylor, he could have parted the red sea and Heisman voters would discount it. Do that against OU or Texas, and he wins the Heisman, if he goes undefeated (maybe at 11-1).

by BoddickerIsClutch on Dec 2, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Bradford

Elsewhere on the Heisman Pundit’s site he mentions the fact that Bradford might have clinched it with his crazy goal line leap that turned into an end-over-end somersault after he got hit mid-air. The point was that he got up and kept motoring to a TD, proving that he may be more than a pocket passer.

Bah. I say that would be a lame reason for Bradford to pull ahead of McCoy this late in the season.

by crocodile235 on Dec 1, 2008 12:41 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

I don't see it...

He jumped in the air, and they flipped him short of the goal line. He didn’t score. He didn’t flip himself. What am I missing?

by vy til i die on Dec 1, 2008 12:51 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

totally

what Heisman Pundit wrote:

“Sam Bradford’s flip near the goal line was an amazing play and exactly the kind of thing he needed to do to show that he isn’t just a robot back there in the pocket. Could you imagine Jason White trying to do that? I don’t think so.”

But what I say is, he thought he could make it by leaping, was grossly mistaken and got whacked by a well-timed mid-air hit, and was thrown like a rag doll to the sidelines. Yes, maybe he showed toughness by not getting knocked out cold, but it wasn’t exactly skill or intentional acrobatics.

by crocodile235 on Dec 1, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Don't forget, he also easily fumbled the ball on that leap. He's just lucky it went out of bounds.

by HornPossessed on Dec 1, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Speaking of luck...

Nah I won’t beat that dead horse.

by HornPossessed on Dec 1, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

the point i would tend to agree with

is that is shows (on a national stage, on the road against a ranked opponent, late in the year, yada, yada) that he is, in fact, a gritty player that will lay his body on the line. HP’s website seems to agree that you need some wow factor and flying through the air like that gets on TV and gets the lead in SportsCenter highlight packages. now watching as many of both OU and UT games as we have, I think we’d all agree that Colt has the larger body of work when it comes to making plays with his feet and being the “doing whatever it takes to get the job done” guy that the media just LOVES. anything Bradford can do (no matter how insignificant to the game situation) to throw his hat in that ring, probably helps.

the fact of the matter is Bradford’s got some gaudy numbers and the public opinion seems to be that OU’s offense has turned into an unstoppable machine, and he’s got a lot to do with that. even in the loss to UT, he put up sick numbers (cause they couldn’t run the ball, but whatever).

it would be a little more salt in the wounds if Bradford wins, but we’ve been screwed before, so I’m not holding my breath.

by littlevisigoth on Dec 1, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

i wish rhett bomar was still playing

Bradford is a damn good QB with gaudy stats and I hope he leaves 0U soon. He throws a ton of yards, TDs and moves the chains.

He’s no Colt. McCoy is off the charts. He has comparable yardage numbers and nearly as many Total TDs as Bradford. On top of that he’s passing at 77.6%. Seriously? Thats ridiculous. He moves the chains with his feet, his arm, and his balls.

0U might be where they are without ~~Jason White~~ Bradford, but Texas wouldn’t be 11-1 without McCoy. Not even close. The Heisman isnt about the MVP for college football, but Colt McCoy is still:

THE MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER in College Football

-flo

by bleed burnt orange on Dec 1, 2008 2:26 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

/scarlett/ I do declare! /scarlett/

Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I’m glad Bomar is gone … my family has fewer chances to mock my Scarlett O’Hara imitation.

Watch out, I bite.

by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Dec 1, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Poor Sam Houston State...

That fine qb rhett bomar is a proud qb for the bearkats and he notched a monumental win as they barely knocked off Stephen F. Austin for a 6 win season…attaboy Rhett! HAHA!

by SneezyBeltran on Dec 1, 2008 6:13 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Leave Bomar alone.

Bomar made a mistake and got sold out by Bob Stoops in order to pretend he runs a clean ship. Adrian Peterson missed classes and probably had improper benefits as well and his suspension was to sit out a series against UCLA.

Its not like Bomar alienated the UT fan base with any comments, he seems like a nice kid who got sold out by his coaches. He didn’t say anything bitter or mean after he got kicked of the team.

by PrimeTime2012 on Dec 1, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

You're right: he didn't say anything

But he did accept money for work he didn’t do. That’s beyond illegal for an NCAA athlete. He was stupid and deserved it.

by BigTexBD on Dec 2, 2008 12:09 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

i have no problem with bomar...

i wish he was still starting at 0U. stupid bradford and his excellent passing skills.

-flo

by bleed burnt orange on Dec 2, 2008 11:31 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

I think Bradford will win it..

He’ll embarass Mizzou once again, and Colt will be sitting on the sideline for about a month. In the end, however, it doesn’t matter. Even if Colt wins it, I would be willing to bet that he’d give up that Heisman and a hundred different QB awards, just for 0.014 in the BCS poll.

by longhornricky on Dec 1, 2008 2:27 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

Completion %

The numbers for all of the QB’s are similar, impressive and gaudy. Bradford has the edge in total TD’s and passing yards. But I think the combination of Colt breaking the NCAA record for passing completion % (BY A BIG MARGIN) and meaning the most to his offense (leading rusher and passer) will get him the trophy.

If it matters for anything, he also beat Bradford head-to-head.

by Horncasting on Dec 1, 2008 2:44 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

meh...

I’m just like PB on this one… I would like McCoy to win it, but… after the 05 results, I just think there is no real validity to the notion of the Heisman winner as the “most outstanding player”.

At the end of the day, as regards the legitimacy of the Heisman – Gino Torretta and Jason White ‘won’ Heismans and John Elway and Vince Young did not…

by Pflash on Dec 1, 2008 3:33 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

If McCoy doesn't win it then the Heisman is a joke.

If McCoy doesn’t win it then the Heisman trophy is a joke. If anybody watches football they know that McCoy is the best player in the country. I have seen all the three big quarterbacks in the Big 12 South play in person, and, for me, McCoy is the best player out of the bunch. Bradford is probably the “better quarterback” in terms of passing ability and arm strength. McCoy is the better FOOTBALL PLAYER. He is the better leader and better player in general. Oklahoma would probably be in the same position if it had Joey Halzle play. I think the game against OSU was the only game where Bradford was really the difference for OU the whole year. With McCoy Texas would probably be an 8 or 9 win team. Without Bradford OU is in the same position as it is now. Like one of you guys previously said, Bradford looks like the second coming of Jason White. Can put up big numbers against bad teams and with a lead, but when you need a score he buckles. Look at last year against CU or West Virginia. He couldn’t lead his team back. Look at this year against Texas. He had the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter and couldn’t lead his team from behind where McCoy did the whole game. Look at McCoy against Tech, put his team on his back and almost pulled out an improbable victory. Against OSU, Bradford never had to lead his team from behind. The voters shouldn’t punish him for the fact that his team jumps on people, but, from my perspective, I would want McCoy to lead my team down by four with 2 minutes left down the field.

by PrimeTime2012 on Dec 1, 2008 3:36 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

Colt is the best of both worlds

Better completion % than Bradford and more rushing yards than the Tebow

by vyvyvy on Dec 1, 2008 3:53 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

I'm solidly behind Colt but

the western votes are probably going to be split among the top three Big-12 QBs and the southeast and atlantic coast areas are probably going to go solidly for Tebow as there is nobody else over there. So, as much as I hate to say it, the Horns and Colt are probably going to get screwed again!

by rmaxearnest on Dec 1, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

As a Sooners fan...

I belive that Vince Young should have won the Heisman trophy instead of Reggie Bush back in 2005. Young was a stud and he alone destroyed OU and the USC defense that year. After reading several of you guys’ posts and there were many insightful ones, the one thing I don’t understand is it to me seems as if several of you totally dismiss what Sam Bradford has done this year. For starters, he’s statistically done heck of a lot more in the first two years of his collegiate career than McCoy. And I’m not knocking McCoy because he’s an excellent QB. But what I don’t understand is how McCoy is the better “leader.” Are any of you guys’ in the huddle with McCoy? Or Bradford? How do you know that Colt McCoy is a better leader than Bradford? Is it because McCoy scrambles more? I believe that besides the player and coaching talent at OU, it takes leadership at the QB position to accomplish what OU has accomplished this year. Therefore, to me the leadership argument is invalid especially by the fact that most of us on here are nothing more than fans that watch and root for our favorite teams. Here’s a little copy and paste from espn.com for you all to compare and debate about. Go Sooners!

Sam Bradford:
CMP ATT Yards CMP% YPA Long TD INT SACK RAT
2007 237 341 3121 69.5 9.15 65 36 8 12 176.52
2008 268 393 4080 68.2 10.38 77 46 6 9 190.97

Colt McCoy:
CMP ATT Yards CMP% YPA Long TD INT SACK RAT
2006 217 318 2570 68.2 8.08 72 29 7 14 161.82
2007 276 424 3303 65.1 7.79 62 22 18 24 139.16
2008 291 375 3445 77.6 9.19 91 32 7 20 179.20

by EnragedOUfan on Dec 1, 2008 9:23 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

you have got to be kidding me...

First I cannot believe that a F$#@ sooner is typing on this blog; I for one would never go on an OU blog and write anything no matter what the discussion was. Second, after looking at both of the stats over both years you fail to mention that Texas lost most of the O-line to the NFL after the ’06 season, whereas OU was coming into their own; furthermore OU has had an established running game whereas Texas has been running by committee, a huge help for the QB to have a dependable rusher(s). Next, you can ultimately see it on the field, you do not need to be in the huddle with them, how the QB is leading his team, it is a feeling and sense that there is not going to be a let down on behalf of the QB, VY had it and so does Colt. In the end the stats can be subjective to the type of game that was being played; for four weeks this year, consecutive weeks, Texas faced one of the hardest tests of all time in college football, no one else came close, and almost made it through unscathed, alas my daddy use to say " I almost won the lottery" but he did not and my team did not win that awful game. Rest assured that this will be corrected in the future, for it is all I have to look forward to now, as our team will undoubtedly gain momentum from this year and continue to excel for future years to come.

P.S. sorry it got a little winded guys, just pissed off over this whole debacle, Hook ’em

by juarez1729 on Dec 1, 2008 10:15 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

what?

First I cannot believe that a F$#@ sooner is typing on this blog; I for one would never go on an OU blog and write anything no matter what the discussion was.

So it’s the Longhorn way or the highway? Calm down, man. You both make equally good points. On the one hand, Bradford’s numbers are ridiculous and generally surpass McCoy’s. On the other, Colt’s likely been more “valuable” to his team. It’s rather similar to the whole “MVP” voting—do you vote for the guy with the best numbers or the guy who lifted the team with his individual performance?

Obviously, most people on this site are going to tilt towards McCoy, but that doesn’t mean Bradford isn’t as deserving. And hey, if Bradford winning the Heisman means his team gets killed in the MNC and that he jumps the the League, then I’m all for it.

by jc25 on Dec 2, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Left out the running stats

First of all, there is no doubt that Bradford is a great college QB – there simply is no debating it. Most of his passing numbers outshine McCoy’s. I think the leadership factor that people are referring to with McCoy comes from the fact that HE IS OUR OFFENSE.

OU has a great OL and Bradford rarely gets touched (UT game notwithstanding). Not the case for McCoy, although the OL is better this year than last year. OU gets good production out of it’s running game and RB’s (again, notwithstanding the UT game). Defenders can’t just key on Bradford to stop OU’s offense. Not the case with McCoy, who is expected to subsidize (and in the case of this year, jump start) our running game, all the while flawlessly run an offense that relies on him to hit on greater than 75% of his passes. In my opinion it is the fact that he played as well as he has, without near the supporting cast, and with more heaped upon his shoulders, that gives him the edge over Bradford. Not a huge edge, but enough of one in my humble homer opinion.

by Horncasting on Dec 1, 2008 10:23 PM CST up reply reply 0 recs

The OU O-line is great...

But the linemen are not the man delivering the football to the receivers. Now obviously having an excellent O-line will/should help to give any QB more than enough time to deliver the football, but the QB has to have accuracy and make smart decisions. Do you think OU would be as explosive as they are if say Lee from LSU was taking the snaps?? I don’t think so. It goes both ways.

by EnragedOUfan on Dec 2, 2008 1:21 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

No

I think you are misunderstanding. We all think that Bradford is a fantastic QB. As the boys from BC like to say, he probably gets OU +20 on the scoreboard all by himself.

What we’re saying is that Bradford is also blessed with weapons that Colt lacks. Sam has an immovable offensive line (again, UT game nonwithstanding), while Colt gets pressured and knocked over repeatedly by the likes of a pitiful A&M pass rush. Sam has a stellar running game with 2 NFL caliber backs; Colt has an antiquated zone-option running game in which he is by far and away the leading rusher. Bradford has the best tight end in CFB; Colt has Greg Smith and Peter Ullman tipping passes to the other team. I’d call the wideouts a push. Bradford also has the benefit of playing in a ridiculous hurry-up offense, thereby getting the chance to accrue more counting stats.

Simply put, Bradford may do more statistically, but he has many more weapons than Colt. What Colt has done all season is, to put it subjectively, more valuable, and yet still statistically amazing, which is why we believe he deserves the Heisman.

by jc25 on Dec 2, 2008 9:43 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Why are you bringing up 06 and 07?

This is about the Heisman this year.

by BigTexBD on Dec 2, 2008 12:13 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

If you read my post....

Then you will see that I was simply comparing the two QB’s statistics.

by EnragedOUfan on Dec 2, 2008 1:14 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

my take on Bradford vs. McCoy

I have no question Colt could do what Bradford does…
I have no idea if Bradford could do what Colt has done…

Colt would have no problem standing back in the pocket for 5 or 6 seconds as a senior-laden OL “holds’” the rush up while he finds open receivers in stride.

I don’t know, and you don’t either, whether Bradford could take an inexperienced line with a questionable running game and make plays consistently with both his legs and his arm. If you just compare Colt’s uniform after the aTm game with Bradford’s after the OSU game, you’d see the different circumstances each plays with. The fact that the stats are as close as they are, well, that means Colt has done a lot better in my book.

by Pflash on Dec 1, 2008 9:59 PM CST reply reply 0 recs

Who would you want to lead a two minute drill to win the MNC?

by PrimeTime2012 on Dec 3, 2008 1:58 AM CST reply reply 0 recs

Colt

Unless we are playing Tech, then Harrell, as long as I also get ~~Irvin~~Crabtree, but I’m biased since Nov 1.

I’m fairly certain Colt has the most come from behind scoring drives of any Big 12 QB.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Dec 3, 2008 8:21 AM CST up reply reply 0 recs

Vote for McCoy!!

For the first time maybe ever, Musburger isn’t sure about his Heisman vote. He says that Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford have given him pause. Musburger says that McCoy has done more with less at Texas.

Musburger is willing to let us, the listeners vote. Check out the poll. Dan will pass along the information to Brent and that’s how he’ll vote.

Colt already won the Nissan ESPN Heisman vote because of us! Now let’s take this one down too! Vote at -

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/30103/index.html

by Ericg320 on Dec 9, 2008 12:12 AM CST reply reply 0 recs