OUmillenium
9/10/2008, 08:40 AM
By Brian Bennett, ESPN.com
Editor's note: Each week, ESPN.com asks one of its Heisman Watch voters to explain his/her picks. You can register your vote at 2008 Vote Heisman.
Filling out a Heisman Trophy ballot after two weeks of games is akin to voting for a president following the New Hampshire primary. A few candidates have already posted promising results, while some early favorites dropped back (say goodbye for now, Beanie Wells and Pat White) and longshots pulled off a few surprises (take a bow, Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford).
Still, a long campaign road lies ahead. Perhaps Wells makes a miraculous medical comeback to star against USC and gets back into the race. Maybe the front-runners don't hold up to the scrutiny, or a mystery candidate emerges. But the task was to cast a vote today, so here are my five nominees:
1. Tim Tebow -- The incumbent. Tebow fatigue is the only possible knock against the guy. He threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 55 yards as the Gators dismantled Miami in The Swamp. And Tebow continues to serve as his own running mate, since Florida still has not found another capable weapon in the backfield to reduce his rushing load. For experience and proven leadership, there's only one choice right now.
2. Chase Daniel -- Daniel has the name recognition from his late charge at the Heisman prize last year, and he got this year's campaign off to a running start with 323 passing yards and three touchdowns in Mizzou's opening win against Illinois. The Tigers didn't need much from their star against Southeast Missouri State last weekend, but Daniel showed he can eliminate waste in his one half of play. He completed 16 of his 17 passes (including his final 14) for 245 yards and another three scores.
3. Knowshon Moreno -- Early returns didn't help Moreno's chances; he carried only eight times for 59 yards in an opening romp against Georgia Southern. But last week was a different story, as the sophomore exploded for 168 yards and three touchdowns on only 18 carries versus Central Michigan. Plus, he got what every Heisman candidate needs: a signature play, which came when he hurdled over safety Vince Agnew. The Dawgs' schedule ensures that Moreno will stay in the limelight, and if his team keeps winning behind his big numbers, he's a lock to go to New York.
4. Mark Sanchez -- Is this flashy newcomer strong on defense? We'll find out this weekend when Sanchez goes up against Ohio State's talented D. No candidate has as much riding on one game as Sanchez does. Sure, he looked outstanding in the first week against Virginia, but no one will remember that if he bombs out against the Buckeyes. Then again, if plays great in perhaps the game of the year, that could stick in voters' minds the whole year.
5. Sam Bradford -- Perhaps I'm biased because I watched Bradford in person last weekend, but he was brilliant in carving up Cincinnati for 395 passing yards and five touchdowns. The addition of receiver Ryan Broyles gives Bradford a go-to target, and the Sooners' no-huddle offense will pump up his numbers all season. Plus, polling history strongly favors quarterbacks of top-rated, undefeated teams. Bradford could make a Jason White-like run for the hardware if Oklahoma rolls through the Big 12 unscathed.
Editor's note: Each week, ESPN.com asks one of its Heisman Watch voters to explain his/her picks. You can register your vote at 2008 Vote Heisman.
Filling out a Heisman Trophy ballot after two weeks of games is akin to voting for a president following the New Hampshire primary. A few candidates have already posted promising results, while some early favorites dropped back (say goodbye for now, Beanie Wells and Pat White) and longshots pulled off a few surprises (take a bow, Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford).
Still, a long campaign road lies ahead. Perhaps Wells makes a miraculous medical comeback to star against USC and gets back into the race. Maybe the front-runners don't hold up to the scrutiny, or a mystery candidate emerges. But the task was to cast a vote today, so here are my five nominees:
1. Tim Tebow -- The incumbent. Tebow fatigue is the only possible knock against the guy. He threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 55 yards as the Gators dismantled Miami in The Swamp. And Tebow continues to serve as his own running mate, since Florida still has not found another capable weapon in the backfield to reduce his rushing load. For experience and proven leadership, there's only one choice right now.
2. Chase Daniel -- Daniel has the name recognition from his late charge at the Heisman prize last year, and he got this year's campaign off to a running start with 323 passing yards and three touchdowns in Mizzou's opening win against Illinois. The Tigers didn't need much from their star against Southeast Missouri State last weekend, but Daniel showed he can eliminate waste in his one half of play. He completed 16 of his 17 passes (including his final 14) for 245 yards and another three scores.
3. Knowshon Moreno -- Early returns didn't help Moreno's chances; he carried only eight times for 59 yards in an opening romp against Georgia Southern. But last week was a different story, as the sophomore exploded for 168 yards and three touchdowns on only 18 carries versus Central Michigan. Plus, he got what every Heisman candidate needs: a signature play, which came when he hurdled over safety Vince Agnew. The Dawgs' schedule ensures that Moreno will stay in the limelight, and if his team keeps winning behind his big numbers, he's a lock to go to New York.
4. Mark Sanchez -- Is this flashy newcomer strong on defense? We'll find out this weekend when Sanchez goes up against Ohio State's talented D. No candidate has as much riding on one game as Sanchez does. Sure, he looked outstanding in the first week against Virginia, but no one will remember that if he bombs out against the Buckeyes. Then again, if plays great in perhaps the game of the year, that could stick in voters' minds the whole year.
5. Sam Bradford -- Perhaps I'm biased because I watched Bradford in person last weekend, but he was brilliant in carving up Cincinnati for 395 passing yards and five touchdowns. The addition of receiver Ryan Broyles gives Bradford a go-to target, and the Sooners' no-huddle offense will pump up his numbers all season. Plus, polling history strongly favors quarterbacks of top-rated, undefeated teams. Bradford could make a Jason White-like run for the hardware if Oklahoma rolls through the Big 12 unscathed.