Heisman Top Five: Who's The Best

As Week Five has come and gone in college football it is time to start asessing what players have shown the most so far this season.

Every website in the country will say Tim Tebow is the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy, especially after Oklahoma's Sam Bradford went down with an injury in Week One.

So far according to media sources the battle is between Tebow and Colt McCoy at this point. However, the media dominates people's impressions on what players are good even before the games start.

Therefore we will take a minute to go over the best players in college football this year and just so happens all five in the Hesiman Top Five are quarterbacks which makes analysis much easier.

Tim Tebow: 

Positives:

Tebow has been typical Tebow this season, with 643 yards in the air completing 64 % of his passes for six touchdowns with only one interception.  He has also ran for almost 270 yards and five rushing touchdowns. 

These numbers combined rank him third in passer efficiency in the country and his leadership has always been marveled at by players, coaches and opponents.  He is the best player on the best team in the country, and that means something.

Negatives:

Tebow has not thrown the ball incredibly well, despite only throwing one interception all year.  He has less than 700 yards through the air after four games against very soft opponents. 

The weakness in schedule is a factor as well seeing how they have not played a team with a winning record or a team that has any chance of getting into the Top 10. 

In the begining of the season scouts and coaches said Tebow was going to prove to NFL scouts that he could throw but when you run almost as many TD's as your throw then it says two things; 1.) you're a great athlete,  2.) you're not a great passer.

Grade:  A-

Comment:

Week Six vs. LSU will show the country what Tebow is made of as a quarterback.  Everyone knows he is a gamer and a tremendous athlete, but everyone wants to see if he is a quarterback.

Colt McCoy:

Positives:

Texas is ranked second in the country with one of the most dominant offenses in college football, and it all start with Colt.  He has thrown for over 1,100 yards and is completing 71 % of his passes for a total of 10 touchdowns, nine through the air and one rushing score.

So far this season he has moved away from the dual-threat role and become more of a pocket passer.  He is averaging just under 300 yards per game and has decreased his sacks from last season.

Negatives:

The Longhorns' schedule so far has been weak, a little better than Florida but not much.

Colt has already thrown five interceptions for a 9/5 TD to INT ratio.  Although 71% completion percentage is very high, he had 76% last year, and this is the softest part of their schedule.

If McCoy wants to get above third in the Heisman race he will have to get his passer rating up into at least the Top 10  (currently out of the top 20).

Grade: B

Comment:

As the season continues Colt is going to have to keep throwing the ball well to recievers but not force throws and make better decisions with the ball.

Case Keenum:

Positives:

It is hard to argue against his stats although he reminds me a little of Colt Brennan of Hawaii from two seasons ago.  He puts up big numbers against relatively unknowns and does not have to take the day-to-day pounding that his Heisman rivals do (or are going to as the season progresses). 

He has passed for almost 1700 yards and completed 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions; not to mention he also has three rushing TDs.  Last week he completed over 50 passes for 536 yards but lost to UTEP.

Case has a lot of talent and his numbers do all the talking for him as he willed them to an upset victory over Oklahoma State and a seat inside the Top 25 (until this week).

Negatives:

Case has a soft schedule ahead, and although his numbers are brilliant, he will always be doubted due to the team he is on and the conference they are in.  His passer rating is not as high as some might think at 154, as he does throw the ball a lot more than most quarterbacks, which contributes to his high yardage games and touchdown passes.

Grade: A- / B+

Comment:

If he kept up his numbers and went undefeated, he would have put a lot of pressure on Tebow for the Heisman, but his loss last week kissed his chance of being Tebow's rival away.  He is on pace for some serious numbers this season.

Tony Pike

Positives:

He has led his team to 5-0 start throwing 13 TDs and rushing for two.  He has completed nearly 67% of his passes for a total of 1493 yards.  He ranks 11th in passer rating and has attracted many NFL scouts in the past few weeks.  He averages almost 300 yards per game.

Negatives:

The Big East is a soft conference in general, and he could go the entire season without playing a team that ends the season in the Top 25. His three interceptions are low but his deep ball accuracy is inconsistent.

Grade: A-

Comment:

So far so good.  He manages the game well and has led a good team way beyong expectations to a number eight ranking.  His game this week against ranked USF will pose a legitimate test to see how he can play when the team is challenged.

Jimmy Clausen

Positives:

Clausen has been the most improved player in college football with the highest passer rating in the nation, 1544 yards through the air and 12 touchdowns with only two interceptions.

One of those interceptions was a mistake by the freshman wide out, and the other hit Armando Allen in the hands and popped straight up for a pick.

He is completing nearly 68% of his passes and averaging over 300 yards per game. His numbers, however impressive, do not tell the full story as he has managed to come back in three straight weeks to win the game in the final seconds.

He has been able to do all of this after losing arguably the best wide reciever in college football for the season to injury.

Negatives:

Jimmy has a loss to his name, which can't be said about three of his rivals.  He was unable to convert on two pass plays to put the nail in the coffin against Michigan and win the game.

Although he throws a very accurate deep ball, he benefits from having standout recievers and tight end.

Grade: A

Comments:

I do not think there is a better pure passer in college football as he puts the ball right on the money time and time again. He has been consistent, poised in the pocket, leader in the huddle and clutch when the game is on the line.

When Weis, who developed Tom Brady and Brady Quinn, gives you high praise, you know the kid's got the stuff.

There you have it.  According to my analysis Tim Tebow, however shocking, is not the best player in college football, and may not even be the second best. NFL Scouts agree as well as they predict him as a second/third rounder and the 7th overall quarterback. 

Colt McCoy might end up winning this year's Heisman, but if Clausen takes down USC on Oct. 17th, then the Heisman committe will have a very difficult time explaining that Clausen is not the nation's finest.

Looking at the numbers and the intangibles for this season, Jimmy Clausen appears to be the best of the rest.