Why Tim Tebow Deserves The Heisman, And Why He Won't Get It

Tim Tebow is poised to lead the Gators to their 2nd National title in 3 years.  Tebow is also in consideration for a second consecutive Heisman trophy.  Only Archie Griffen from Ohio State has ever won the honor twice.  

Tebow is deserving of his second consecutive Heisman.  Although the three Big XII QBs who are also in contention are wonderful athletes, great leaders, and statistical freaks, they do not have the qualifications of Tebow.  

However, the Heisman voters will award Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy with the award.  Here are a few reasons why they will win this award, and why these reasons pale in comparison to the rationale for how Tebow should win a second consecutive Heisman.  Lets walk through each candidate, using the Heisman statistics from ESPN's Heisman Watch:

Sam Bradford

As a sophmore, Bradford has tallied more than 60 points for the 5th straight game, a NCAA record.  Further, he led his team to the MOST total points in the history of FBS.  With 48 TDs and 6 picks, he has torched his opposition, while looking phenomenally talented the whole time.

2008 season stats:
Passing: 4,463 YDS | 48 TD
6 INT | 68.3 CMP%
Rushing: 5 TD 

Downside 

Bradford has played ONE legitimate defense that he beat this year.  Bradford lost to the best defense that he played this year, even though he had good numbers.  TCU has a good defense, and the Sooners put up the same points that they put up against Texas.  

Bottom line, though, the Sooners have played suspect defenses all year, and Bradford is surrounded by SO much talent that it would be pretty pathetic if he didn't put up video-game statistics.

Colt McCoy 

McCoy led a Texas team with less talent than his OU rivals to an ALMOST perfect record (but for Crabtree/Harrell spoiling the party).  McCoy is the leader of his team, makes the UT offense click, and is really the reason for the Horns success this season.  

McCoy will be hurt with the voters by not having the Big XII championship game to play in, which is a shame since the Horns deserved to be there; there is an argument to be made that some voters will recognize this disservice, and will award the Heisman to McCoy as a consolation prize.

2008 season stats:
Passing: 3,445 YDS | 32 TD
7 INT | 77.5 CMP%
Rushing: 576 YDS | 10 TD

Downside 

McCoy did not win the Big XII.  McCoy has not got the same numbers as either Harrell or Bradford.  McCoy is not going to Miami for the BCS Championship game, so he may be out of the discussion for many voters to begin with.   

From here, you can see that voters will have a couple of different metrics to vote against.  Should Bradford get the votes due to his stats?  Should McCoy get the votes because of his leadership?  

Using either of these metrics, Tebow should win the Heisman.  Here's why:

Stats

Tebow has 40 TDs this season, 28 throwing and 12 rushing.  A significant decline from last years stats, to be sure, but nevertheless absolutely incredible in the face of the defensive competition the Gators have played.  

The competition is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the defenses that Oklahoma played.  Plus, Tebow has only thrown 2 picks.  All year.  Against SEC secondaries.  Comparing apples to apples, Tebow would light up Big XII defenses for video-game like numbers if given the chance.  It is likely that he will demonstrate this on Jan. 8th.

2008 season stats:
Passing: 2,515 YDS | 28 TD 
2 INT | 66.2 CMP%
Rushing: 563 YDS | 12 TD

Leadership 

Tebow came out after the Gators' only loss this season, and essentially guaranteed an unmatched effort from HIS team for the rest of the season.  And boy has he delivered.  Since that loss, and basically mid-way through the Arkansas game, the Gators have looked unstoppable.  

In the biggest game of the season, against the mighty Tide, Tebow played at his best. In a 4th quarter that found the Gators down for the first time since their Ole Miss loss, Tebow drove the field twice for two great TDs, that punched the ticket to the big game.  He is heralded by his teammates and coaches as the heart and soul of the Gator team, and there is no player in FBS that receives as much respect for his ability to lead.

The Heisman is designed to honor the most outstanding player in college football.  The Big XII Qbs are great players for different reasons.  Bradford has incredible stats, McCoy has incredible "moxie".  

Tebow is arguably one of the greatest college football players to ever don pads.  He is a one man wrecking crew with a strong arm, very quick feet, the strength of an NFL linebacker and incredible decision making abilities.  Tebow has the heart and soul of a lion, and the character traits that define outstanding leaders.  

Tebow should win the Heisman again.  If either of these QBs from the Big XII get the award, it will not be undeserving.  But the most deserving player, the most outstanding player in all of college football, is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.   It is Tim Tebow.