Bradford, McCoy, or Tebow? Who Deserves To Win The Heisman?

Allow me to preface this by saying that Graham Harrell had an outstanding season.  If it weren't for the news that he was not invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation, I would have made a case for him as well.

Now on to our three Heisman finalists...

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida:

Key Stats:

Passing:  2515 yds, 64.9 CMP%, 28 TDs, 2 INTs, 176.7 QB rating

Rushing:  564 yds, 3.7 ypc, 12 TDs

Analysis:

Tebow's rushing numbers are down from his Heisman campaign a year ago because the Gators have more playmakers at the running back position.  His 2 INTs is an impressive stat that indicates his excellent decision-making and his accuracy.  However, what separates Tebow from everyone else is his leadership ability and passion for the game. 

This was on full display against Alabama last week when he lead the Gators down the field for a game-sealing TD and proceeded to raise his arms to the crowd reminiscent of his days as a freshman.  Tim leads a Gators team that scores 45.2 pts a game, and more importantly he has put them in the national championship with a 12-1 record and an SEC Championship.

Colt McCoy, QB, Texas:

Key Stats:

Passing:  3445 yds, 77.6 CMP%, 32 TDs, 7 INTs, 179.2 QB rating

Rushing:  576 yds, 4.5 ypc, 10 TDs

Analysis:

Most impressive in McCoy's stat line is his 77.6 completion percentage, which is an FBS record.  Of the three finalists, McCoy has the least talent surrounding him.  He leads the team in rushing and has been Tim Tebow-like in his ability to take over a game with both his arm and his legs.  Colt has scored 12 total TDs in his last three games, but this came against Baylor, Kansas, and Texas A&M.

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma:

Key Stats:

Passing:  4464 yds, 68.3 CMP%, 48 TDs, 6 INTs, 186.3 QB rating

Rushing:  65 yds, 1.6 ypc, 5 TDs

Analysis:

Bradford is clearly the best pure passer of the three.  His 48 passing TDs and his QB rating are strong evidence of this.  He isn't anywhere near the running threat that McCoy and Tebow are, but Oklahoma's offense doesn't need him to be. 

With two 1,000 yd rushers and a brick wall of an offensive line, Sam can let his running backs gain the tough yards and has plenty of time to throw when he doesn't.  He has led the Sooners to 60+ points in five straight games with 21 total TDs in that streak.  Oklahoma is the highest scoring team in FBS history with 702 points.

...So who deserves to win? 

Sam Bradford has been more impressive than Colt McCoy, and the two players faced six common opponents.  Bradford has accounted for 11 more TDs than McCoy.  This is too big of a gap for McCoy to outweigh with his completion percentage and the disadvantage of having less talent to work with.  Ultimately, Bradford's lead role in the Oklahoma scoring machine is too impressive for me to call McCoy a more outstanding player.

Thus, the debate must be between Bradford and Tebow.  Tebow should be given credit for playing against tougher defenses in the SEC.  He accounted for 40 TDs, but how many would he have scored if he played in the Big 12?  Conversely, how many would Bradford have scored if he played in the SEC?

The Big 12 has been accused of having weak defenses, but at the same time it has two Heisman finalist QBs and another QB who just won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for outstanding Sr. QB (Harrell).  Most of the teams in the SEC that have struggled this season have dealt with poor QB play.

Basically, the difference in talent level between the Big 12 and the SEC at QB has contributed to the perception that the Big 12's defenses are so much worse.

I'm not convinced that the SEC defenses are superior enough to let the guy who scored 53 TDs go home empty-handed.

Regardless of what happens on the field January 8th, Sam Bradford deserves the Heisman.