I think the voters got it right with these four candidates.

All four candidates had oustanding seasons who had huge games down the stretch while other players played ther ways out of the race.

UCF's running back Smith had an outstandng season running for almost 2400 yards. He possily should have been given more consideration, but playing for a Non BCS team hurt his chances especally with Colt already being invited.


Dennis Dixon and Pat White were hurt by injuries or most likely would have been invited.



All in All, the committie did well this year.

I like DMAC winning in a slight upset over Tebow

1. DMAC
2. Tebow
3. Daniels
4. Colt

McFadden better win this. While Tebow is very good, McFadden to me stands out more and should win this. Tebow's time to win will be next year or the year thereafter.

This is not directed at you mdterp, but I love how all the people trashing Tebow for piloting a three-loss team conveniently ignore the fact that Arkansas had...four losses.

My reasoning for choosing McFadden over Tebow comes from the following comments:

From the Canadian Press tonight:

McFadden rushed for 1,725 yards in 12 games - more than he did in 14 games last season. His versatility is common knowledge by now. McFadden occasionally lines up at quarterback. He’s completed six passes this season, four for touchdowns.

McFadden also returns kickoffs, and at six-foot-two, he’s a bruising blocker when he doesn’t have the ball.

Is that enough to win the Heisman? He’ll find out this week. McFadden has strong competition, particularly from Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, who will face McFadden and 25th-ranked Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, also is a contender.

“When Darren McFadden is at his highest level, there’s not a defence in this country that can stop him,” said Reggie Herring, who took over as Arkansas’ interim coach when Houston Nutt resigned last week. “He needs blockers just like every other great running back, but what he’s done over the past two years is more than enough to secure a Heisman Trophy.

“Just by the prerequisite of what’s been in the past, looking at stats and what you’ve done on the field and how important you are to a football team, I think Darren McFadden exemplifies that and then some.”
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Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla responds to a reader’s question about the Heisman Trophy race:

Backing the ‘Back. “There seems to be a lot of talk about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden regarding the Heisman Trophy. Many people seem to think the trophy will go to one of these two outstanding players. What would Florida do without Tebow? Well, last year, with limited play from Tebow, the Gators won the national championship. The year before McFadden arrived at Arkansas, the Razorbacks had a 5-6 record.”

Ryan, Springdale, Ark.

Kiz: This is a two-man race for the Heisman. But in my mind, Tebow’s not in it. Voters who fell in love with his rushing touchdowns are too lazy to consider most were shortyardage plunges. Quarterback Chase Daniel was the first player to carry the Missouri Tigers to a No. 1 ranking since 1960. Now that’s a long run. So, when I mark my ballot, the top spot will go to Daniel or McFadden.

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The whole 20 passing/20 rushing touchdowns things is cute but yeah...I'm not impressed when a large chunk of those are run in from inside the 5 yard line. Its not as if he produced Michael Vick like runs from the 50 yard line to touchdowns 10+ times. McFadden backed up his great year last year with an even better one this year and he was the runner up last year. I think its McFadden's to win because of the factors mentioned in the above commentary.

Kiszla makes an important observation regarding McFadden's impact and contribution to his team. With Tebow scoring over half (or more?) of Florida's offensive production this year, though, it can be argued that he is actually having the same impact, we just haven't seen it thanks to good recruiting and coaching (transitioning him into the role, etc.)...

Tebow is the third highest individual scorer in college football, behind UCF's Kevin Smith and Matt Forte of Tulane, as he scores an average of 11 points per game. And yeah, his passing/running combo allows him to be so dependable.

I understand the critique that most of his running TDs are goal line or short distance, but, hey, if that was so "easy" why haven't we had QBs in the past that could present their teams this option?

The fact that Tebow is a stacked, powerful athlete, who apparently loves the contact ...well, to me, that just adds to his credentials. Florida State tried to be really physical with Tebow, and he ate that shit up, took all the hits, and taunted the Florida State bench, as if to say, "Bring it. HARDER."

Chase Daniel, on the other hand, tried short distance sneaks and push ins vs. Oklahoma, and they wouldn't have any of it (of course, Chase is a smaller QB). Colt Brennan has run for several TDs, but he's taken very little contact. More often than not, Tebow pounds the ball in, and doesn't elude contact.

But I digress. I do believe McFadden will win the Heisman. I think Tebow is as deserving, if not a bit more deserving, though. If I had my druthers, Kevin Smith and Colt David would have been finalists, but I can't really complain with the four selected (I would have had five).

When do the final Heisman rankings come out? Is it the day after?

Unlike Tebow, McFadden had off days -- and really bad off days at that. 43 yards on 17 carries in a 9-7 loss vs. Auburn, 61 on 19 carries vs. Florida International, and 88 yards on 28 carries vs. Mississippi State. His average yards per carry was actually worse this year (5.7) than in his freshman (6.3) and sophomore (5.8) years. Aside from being injured against Georgia, Tebow's only poor statistical game was at LSU (12/26, 158 yards)--but the ESPN recap reports that "[LSU's] top-rated defense was shredded by Florida's double-threat quarterback." The rest of the season he has been rewriting record books and doing so with class and charisma. He had more rushing TDs than any running back in the HISTORY of the SEC. If he were a senior, there would be no debate.

Let's think of it this way -- Felix Jones and Darren McFadden have 26 rushing TDs--combined. Tebow has 22 rushing TDs all by himself. You cannot tell me that McFadden has had an overall better year than Tebow.

Tebow had 3 losses. I don't see what the major difference is between 3 losses of Tebow and the 4 losses of McFAdden.


McFadden shared carries with Felix Jones ( agreat back in his own right) or would have easily been a 2,000 plus yard rushing sensation. Arkansas had arguably the worst passing and running QB in the nation this year. What's that mean? Run defenses knew Arkansas was going to hand off to the running back and could key in on the runners. Most people don't understaned how difficult that is when Linebackers and DB's are zoned in on the RB's. DMAC was still outstanding even though most defenses knew what was going to happen.


While no one can deny Tebow was outstanding, he basically was Florida's entire offense from the QB position. He dominated Florida's play selection with runs or passes. It was a given he was going to have these type of numbers. Not to take away from him, but when you run or pass every down of your offense, it's inevitable you produce those type of numbers.




IMO, the slight edge goes to DMAC.

McFadden's off days, particularly the bad outing against the nation's worst team -- Florida International -- probably dooms him. Great runner, but you can't have three bad performances and expect to win the Heisman. I think Tebow wins the award easily with Brennan and DMac fighting it out for second. Chase will finish a distant fourth.

Not that it matters, but the guys on Around the Horn were really animated on this topic this afternoon. Bill Plaschke was out-of-his-mind in favor of Colt Brenna, shouting nearly at the top of his lungs, it seemed, stumping for Brennan.

Brennan has written himself into college football history - for good and bad reasons (but mostly good). I'm convinced now more than ever now that it's a race between McFadden and Tebow - which is what we've suspected for some time.

The race is definitely between McFadden and Tebow. Arguments can certainly be made for both. I just wonder if Tebow will fall to the "we won't vote for sophomores" thing and they give it to him next year to make up for this year. But there's no doubt the kid will win it at some point and leave UF with a national championship. The kid is awesome and I look forward to his days in the NFL.

Jeez, Brennan SOUNDS really really young. He's a senior? Sounds like a junior or even sophomore...

Dude, I get it Tebow, you love God.
I feel like I don't have to go to Church for like a year now...
and that was just in his intro-bio

Lord knows how much he'll prosthelitize if he wins the damn trophy...

EDITED to add:
The announcement was abrupt. It was like "Blah Blah Blah ...the winner is Tim Tebow." Like any other boring introduction and it's like the guy was like, "Aww f**k it, the winner is..."

Congratulations to Tebow as the first sophomore ever selected to win the Heisman Trophy. Major history there. Props to him for acknowledging his faith first and foremost in his speech. I bet it was a close race though. Tough for McFadden to be a two time runner up but he'll be fine without the Heisman and will probably go #1 in the NFL draft. Perhaps Tebow will break the trend of Heisman trophy winners actually translating that into the NFL. So far the 2k winners haven't been all that impressive. Reggie Bush has been decent but nothing extraordinary.

As an aside...Tony Dorsett looks great for his age.

Jesus Gator Christ! A sophomore won the Heisman! WTG Timbow!

Damn. Color me disappointed. Not in who won the Heisman- it was a good battle between Tebow and Run DMC.

Anyways- I am disappointed not a single member of Outsports watching the broadcast came up with the headline "Colt Leis Fellow Heisman Hopeful"

It was my favorite part of the broadcast- I laughed so hard when Colt Brennan places a lei over Daniels head on live TV!! The look on Daniels face was that he was fearing the YouTube moment and headlines... it was so funny! Or else- it struck me funny! hehe Sorry- simple things amuse simple minds.

As an aside- I **HEART** Colt Brennan- what a complete and utter sweetheart and all around good guy. I want some Aloha spirit!!