Will Sam Bradford Suffer the Downfall of Winning the Heisman?

So, one debate is over.

Sam Bradford stopped Tim Tebow from making history once again, and in the process, made history himself Saturday night by becoming the second sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. But after careful thought and consideration, one question is up for grabs when Bradford's Sooners face Tebow's Gators for the National Championship on Jan. 8.

Will Bradford inherit the curse of The Heisman? Or will he break the streak?

For those who don't believe there is a curse, consider this: Since 2000, only two have managed to win the Heisman and their respective bowl game in the same season. Neither were from Oklahoma, and both were from USC (Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer).

Since 2000, Heisman Trophy winners are 2-5 in bowl games, with only one Heisman winner clinching the National Championship.

But just for the sake of argument, here's the stats to go with the facts:

Heisman Trophy Winners Since 2000

• 2000: Chris Weinke Florida State Quarterback
  2001: Eric Crouch Nebraska Quarterback
  2002: Carson Palmer USC Quarterback
  2003: Jason White Oklahoma Quarterback
  2004: Matt Leinart USC Quarterback
  2005: Reggie Bush USC Running Back
  2006: Troy Smith Ohio State Quarterback
  2007: Tim Tebow Florida Quarterback
  2008: Sam Bradford Oklahoma Quarterback

Bowl Games Featuring Heisman Winners Since 2000

• 2000- Chris Weinke, Florida State (Lost NC vs. Oklahoma)
  2001- Eric Crouch, Nebraska (Lost NC vs. Miami (FL))
  2002- Carson Palmer, USC (Won Orange Bowl vs. Iowa)
  2003- Jason White, Oklahoma (Lost NC vs. LSU)
  2004- Matt Leinart, USC (Won NC vs. Oklahoma)
  2005- Reggie Bush, USC (Lost NC vs. Texas)
  2006- Troy Smith, Ohio State (Lost NC vs. Florida)
  2007- Tim Tebow, Florida (Lost Capital One Bowl vs. Michigan)
  2008- Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (NC vs. Florida)

It's hard to argue with facts, but Bradford looks to change that when Oklahoma plays Florida. It's clear that everyone will most likely pick the red hot offense of Oklahoma to crush the Gators. But unlike past NC Games, this one is a guaranteed shootout.

We know what Tebow and Bradford are capable of. The question is how will they play with the pride of their respective conferences on the line.

The Sooners can say that they're one of the only teams that has gotten the better end of the stick when it comes to the BCS standings. The last time Oklahoma was in this position was that 2004 NC Game against USC, where Ashlee Simpson wasn't the only one who stunk that night.

Since then, Bob Stoops and the Sooners have continued to stink it up. OU is 0-3 in its previous BCS Bowl appearances. The Gators reached success with a drubbing of Ohio State in the BCS Championship in 2006, but lost a heartbreaker in Lloyd Carr's final game with Michigan last season.

As for the Sooners, Stoops hopes to kill the slump in big game situations. As for Meyer, he is trying to get the media out of his team's head. The "G" Men know that their offensive coordinator will be leaving for Starkville at season's end.

They also know that Notre Dame is in the back of Meyer's mind. But business is business.

The Irish have their guy...for now. But the spotlight will be on Bradford now that he has the Heisman. He will have to go through the same anarchy that Jason White did when he won the Heisman. And for the first time since that battle with LSU, the Big 12 will have another chance to stomp the SEC.

But will the 2008 Heisman winner do what Reggie Bush, Troy Smith, and Tim Tebow couldn't do after winning the biggest individual trophy of their careers? Looking at the last 10 years, people have a right to be a little skeptical.

One more tidbit: The four guys to win the Heisman from 1996-99 (Danny Wuerffel, Charles Woodson, Ricky Williams, and Ron Dayne) all went on to win the bowl games they played that season (two National Championships, a Cotton Bowl, and the Rose Bowl).