The Heisman Watch: Week One

(Photo by: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Following each weekend of college football goodness, I will be ranking and critiquing the five most worthy Heisman contenders from the past weekend. Early in the season there may be a good deal of fluidity in my rankings, but hopefully there will be five solid candidates by Week Four.

The big shock this weekend was the injury to the reigning Heisman Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.

Tennessee fans were likely just as shocked to see their favorite punching bag, Jonathan Crompton, throw more TD passes in one game (five) than he did all of last season (four). The competition wasn't amazing, but Crompton did look outstanding.

Florida's Tim Tebow had a solid yet unspectacular game against South Carolina's third best high school team, Charleston Southern. Byrnes (SC) came in this week ranked second in the nation incidentally.

The guy who made the best impression against a quality opponent had to be Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant. The offense sputtered early, but Bryant and his multiple touchdowns spurred the Okies on to victory.

It may be a bit early to toot this guy's horn, but Miami (FL) sophomore QB Jacory Harris is looking every bit like the next star QB for the 'Canes.

Ohio St QB Terrelle Pryor is probably a year away from being considered a serious Heisman candidate, while Texas QB Colt McCoy has to be "the people's" favorite since his conference rival Bradford is out for at least the next month.

Without further ado, here is my initial Heisman Trophy top five:

1. Jonathan Crompton, QB, SR, Tennessee

21-28, 233 yards, five TDs, two INTs

Bottom Line: My guess is Crompton being here is a novelty. If Crompton can continue to put up these kind of numbers, Lane Kiffin gets my vote for coach of the year right now.

2. Dez Bryant, WR, JR, Oklahoma ST

Three catches, 77 yards, two TDs, two returns, 29 Yards

Bottom Line: Wide receivers do not frequent this award so Bryant will have to put up at least one touchdown per game, as well as have some Devin Hester like returns for big yardage to have a real shot.

3. Colt McCoy, QB, SR, Texas

21-29, 317 yards, two TD's, one INT

Bottom Line: McCoy will have his true tests when he squares off with the Big 12 defenses who last season proved to be very generous.

4. Tim Tebow, QB, SR, Florida

10-15, 188, one TD, two carries, one yard, one TD

Bottom Line: It's hard to repeat as the Heisman winner, but Tebow will have his shot as long as UF remains undefeated.

5. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, JR, Georgia Tech

Seven carries, 95 yards, two TD's

Bottom Line: The reigning ACC player of the year had a solid debut, and with Paul Johnson's run heavy offense, Dwyer looks to remain in the hunt all season.

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