Heisman Watch 2008 – 9, Week 5

The spread offense has transformed the Big XII into a quarterback machine, and the results are obvious based on what you will find at the top of most Heisman lists this week.

The triumvirate of Chase Daniel, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy could rewrite the history of the Heisman Trophy if they can keep this up.

Just picture the stage in New York if there is only a single conference represented.

If that happens, the other contenders can only blame themselves. Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, and Knowshon Moreno all lost this week and with performances that could be very detrimental to their chances for the award.

The worst damage might have been done to Moreno, who was already hanging on by a thread as his team danced with disaster. Turning in a sub-50 yard day against Alabama won’t help that.

Sanchez didn’t fare any better. He was as much at fault for the loss as he was for keeping it close. I know I should have been more skeptical of having him in my top five.

And so the top five looks mighty different this week with the short list of contenders getting smaller and smaller.

Expect things to only heat up from here as conference season starts in the Southwest.

Here is how I would rank the candidates on my ballot after Week 5.

1. Chase Daniel (QB Missouri) – 75.9%, 1412 yds, 12 TD, 1 INT, 74 yds rush – An off week for the Tigers, but Daniel has done enough so far to hold onto his lead. I am not sure if he can hold off two other Big XII quarterbacks if he falters, or Missouri loses, but for now, he is safe.
2. Sam Bradford (QB Oklahoma) – 72.2%, 1293 yds, 16 TD, 2 INT – Bradford basically ran backwards against TCU, but he threw for 411 yards, increasing his season-long total by almost 50%. Between him and the No. 3 entry here, we have a battle coming on October 11.
3. Colt McCoy (QB Texas) – 80%, 1018 yds, 14 TD, 1 INT, 278 yds rush, 4 TD – No player may mean more to his team that McCoy. He leads the team in rushing in addition to his passing stats. Is this the next coming of Tim Tebow who was the second coming of another Longhorn – Vince Young?
4. Javon Ringer (RB Michigan St.) – 897 yds, 12 TD, 4.8 avg – Second best in terms of total yards. The average isn’t striking, but Ringer has Michigan State looking like it turned a big corner, one that has kept them on the mediocre fire for quite a long time. But can he keep it going as the schedule gets tougher?
5. Max Hall (QB BYU) – 74.3%, 1284 yds, 15 TD, 2 INT – He doesn’t have the legs of other quarterbacks, and this may be a long shot in itself. However, as long as he has the big arm and the Cougars are winning, Hall is now a real contender to watch.

People with still a chance to make this list: Tim Tebow (He tried everything he could to get his team over the top, but his performances are not working this season. He drops at the expense of those who won), Knowshon Moreno (34 yds = No show Moreno), Mark Sanchez (Very much at fault for the loss to Oregon State. He may have led the comeback, but he also precipitated the downfall)