Heisman Watch 2008 – 9, Week 1

Sure it is only one week into the season, but one week is enough most time to get your name noticed for later in the season when the voting really counts.

The leader to start the season has to be Tim Tebow. There will be some changes in the Florida offense this season, making Tebow less of a one-man show, but there is no disputing the talent that he will bring to the field. So how do you find competition for the Heisman? The two that challenged last season – Darren McFadden and Dennis Dixon – are on to the pros.

Start with Chase Daniel, who along with Jeremy Maclin, dismantled Illinois in week one.  That should be enough of a start to put a little bit of a fire under Tebow. And Maclin is not to be forgotten, although an early injury may have him hurting as weeks go on.  Just look at what injuries did to chances for Steve Slaton, Mike Hart and Dixon a year ago.

Beanie Wells gets injured. Juice Williams gets beat. You can’t really tell!

Honestly, the best of the rest might be Dan LeFevour at Central Michigan, who I have been hyping since he was the top freshman in the MAC two years ago. Eastern Illinois isn’t the best of opponents either, but he doesn’t have the top players in front of him like the others when he beats up on someone.

So, without a great picture, here is how I would rank the candidates on my ballot after Week 1:

1. Tim Tebow (QB Florida) – 64.3%, 137 yds, 1 TD, 37 yds rush – Until he loses, or his stats drop off so significantly that he can’t be considered, I think Tebow deserves to be the leader. Sure, week one wasn’t super flashy, but Hawaii wasn’t exactly pushing him to do very much himself.
2. Chase Daniel (QB Missouri) – 57.8%, 323 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 46 yds rush – His numbers weren’t as flashy as you would like to take the lead in week one. But Daniel is the talent who will push Tebow this year.
3. Pat White (QB West Virginia) – 75.8%, 208 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT, 63 yds rush – Pat White is still probably the second most talented player in D-1, despite the fact that his talent will be underrated at the pro level. Level of competition will be his biggest detractor this season.
4. P.J. Hill (RB Wisconsin) – 210 yds, 2 TD, 8.1 avg.- At least Wisconsin played Akron. I give a little credit for playing an opponent in the top division not from the SunBelt. Hill is probably too much of a dark horse to move up from here, but keep an eye on him if the stats continue to be this huge.
5. Jeremy Maclin (WR Missouri) - 4 rec, 31yds, 1 KR for TD – I don’t like receivers for the Heisman, despite his other talents. He will need to really step it up to stay here.

People with still a chance to make this list: Dan LeFevour (Gotta love the real dark horse. This pick has possibilities), Kellen Lewis (Tim Tebow, Jr.?), Chris “Beanie” Wells (Injuries will kill you every time), Knowshon Moreno (Wasn’t used much in opener. Will that, or schedule, hurt him?), Mark Sanchez (Virginia is almost as bad as Duke.)