The ESPN guys in the booth were discussing the Heisman Trophy race during a lull in the Arizona-Oregon game Thursday night.
The synopsis of the conversation: There was no clear-cut Heisman favorite. In fact, the landscape was so bleak, maybe we should just skip the award this year and shoot for 2008.
Translation: There was no obvious Heisman candidate from the Big Ten for ABC/ESPN to promote.
Sorry, but that's the Southern Heisman conspiracy theorist in me talking. And it's not just because we're nearing the 10-year anniversary of Tennessee's Peyton Manning losing the Heisman to Michigan's Charles Woodson.
My theory goes way beyond that. In fact, I'm still ticked off that Peyton's daddy, Archie, didn't win the award.
In the 72-year history of the Heisman, seven SEC players have won the award. So have seven players apiece from Southern Cal and Ohio State.
Imagine that. Two programs have as many Heisman winners as all of the SEC. Doesn't that seem just a tad out of line?
But I won't dwell on history. I'm just wondering if the guys in the ESPN booth would have been so quick to characterize this season as a Heisman wasteland if running back Darren McFadden played for Michigan instead of Arkansas or if quarterback Tim Tebow played for Ohio State instead of Florida.
McFadden finished second in the Heisman voting last year and is on pace to rush for more yards this season. So how does he not qualify as a strong contender one year later?
This isn't all about regional bias. It's also about won-lost bias. Why do so many media-types feel compelled to award the Heisman to the best player on a team in the running for the national championship?
It's supposed to go to the best player, not the best player on the best team.
Sometimes, the best player is on the best team. I voted for Southern Cal's Reggie Bush twice. But last year, I voted for McFadden over Ohio State's Troy Smith. And it wasn't a close call.
It shouldn't be a close call this season, either. Tebow is clearly the best player in the country.
Never mind that his team has lost three games or that he's only a sophomore. He leads the toughest conference in the country in both total offense and pass efficiency. He is a precision passer who probably has broken more tackles per carry than anyone in the SEC since Georgia's Herschel Walker, who won the Heisman in 1982.
Florida doesn't have a quality tailback. Its best wide receiver, Percy Harvin, can't stay healthy. Yet it leads the SEC in scoring at 42.9 points per game.
Tebow doesn't lead Florida's offense. He is Florida's offense.
I've seen six of the SEC's seven Heisman winners, and Tebow can play with any of them. "Archie Manning on steroids," is how Memphis sportswriter Ron Higgins described Tebow.
Don't take that literally. Tebow's clean - too clean, maybe. Associated Press college sports columnist Ralph Russo recently wrote a column saying voters shouldn't hold Tebow's good-boy image against him. Why should he have to mention that?
Answer: Because of Peyton Manning.
A wholesome image wasn't Manning's only problem. His team couldn't win its biggest game (against Florida). Also, college football probably just got tired of him. He was so good for so long, the storyline became stale.
Tebow could face the same problem if he sticks around for four years. That's why this might be his best shot at the Heisman.
If you're holding his team's record against him, imagine the 8-3 Gators without him. They wouldn't have beaten Ole Miss or Kentucky. Nor would they have won last year's national championship if Tebow hadn't played so extraordinarily off the bench.
He has got a national championship on his resume . He has got the stats.
And he deserves the votes.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 50
copan07#220906 writes:
Good article John. I was thinking the exact same thing.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
What's a Heisman? And who cares? This so-called award means less than nothing to this Vol fan. Ever since they stiffed Peyton, it's clear that this award is almost as BS-loaded as the Nobel Peace Prize.
Can't believe KNS is wasting space and newsprint on this.
thevol writes:
Oh, I thought this article was going to be about Tebow coming out of the closet.
mdvol writes:
Hmmmm, Adams writing an aricle about bias. Definitely the wackiest year in College Football now.
utvols1 writes:
I'm still not over Woodson deal. That thug had like 7 picks for the season and he gets the statue over Manning. I stopped watching - or carring about the stupid award 10yrs ago.
TommyJack writes:
Never has John Adams been more on the mark.
vol52 writes:
The heisman is a hoax or better a joke. The way the votes are counted ensures a southern player has less chances. So I pay ZERO attention to it.
eefor10c writes:
Wonder how many trophies have gone to ND players. The most undeserved one was Paul Hourning who played for a 4-6 ND team and was awarded the trophy over Johnny Majors of Tennessee who was the tailback of a 10-0 team. That's part of my hatred of Notre Dame, so I'm enjoying their 2-10 season.
daddyaxe writes:
good article... no doubt the best college football player today...just be thankful we don't play him again until next year
docflatt#259514 writes:
Maybe Jerod Mayo can spy Tebow all night long next year, and contain him to less than 3 TD's total. He definitely deserves the Heisman. It doesn't matter that he's a sophomore.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Who cares about the heis(t)man........back to beating Kentucky and going to the SEC championship game! Only bad thing is, my dad has two tickets reserved if we go, I just have to hope someone will switch with me at work, I am suppose to work that day! AHHH!!!
GO VOLS!!!
1974Vol writes:
John have you just now figured out there is a bias against the SEC? Every SEC team that has gone to the title game since there really was one (BCS)has won. All were underdogs. The 13-0 Auburn team would have drilled the posers who played in "the game". I know Spurrier used to love to rub it in by saying you couldn't spell Citrus Bowl without and UT, but hey it was another chance to drill a Big Ten loser.
brokebackvol writes:
Don't forget the bias also goes back to include the player on a losing team at Notre Dame that beat out Johnny Majors. The bias against the SEC is not a new trend.
BluetickBlues writes:
Nice one John. Nice to see you put what we all feel in print.
FWBVol writes:
Tennessee has had four players finish second in the Heisman race; Hank Lauricella (1951 when UT won the National Championship), Johnny Majors (1956 when UT was 10-1 and finished 4th in the country), Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning. My dad has told me about how good Lauricella and Johnny were. I saw Heath and Peyton. The only legit No. 2 in the bunch is Heath Shuler. Charlie Ward had a great year for FSU that year and led the Seminoles to their first National Title. The other three guys were robbed.
Here's something to think about, the two winningest programs in the history of the SEC, Alabama and Tennessee have never produced a Heisman winner. Georgia has two, Auburn two, Florida two and LSU one.
I'm not a Gator fan, but I like Tebow. He's a good kid and a class act. I live in Florida and my best friend (who played at Auburn) has a son at UF and has met Tebow and told me he's a class act. That's enough for me. Too bad he's coached by a jerk, but I won't hold that against him. I hope TT wins the Heisman even if it does mean Florida will have three HT winners.
shaymous writes:
FWBVOL
Glad to hear a fellow vol fan, being able to recognize a talent and a good man, I too like Tebow, as a player and a young man, he loves the Lord and does missionary work overseas and in his community. Like I said, I like him and admire him, but I definately want to beat him, have a good day all.
Vol_N_Texas writes:
The only thing the Heisman is good for is a boat anchor.
VolHooch14 writes:
If Tebow wins this thing, maybe it'll shut the Brent Musberger's & the Keith Jackson's of the world up for awhile.(Or at least until next season) Like a post above, this award has been a joke ever since the Peyton debacle.
threehundredbowler writes:
bricker,he is only showing emotion.If it was someone from Tennessee,you would try to jump through the tv screen to high five him.Unless you know the real character of anybody,you should not slam them.Thevol,that goes double for you.You know nothing about TT,especially his sexual preference.How would you like it if someone said the same about you or your son?Some people just need to get a life.
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
The Hype-man trophy is a joke in my opinion. It only goes to the best player, (usually) at Notre Dame , USC,Mishigan,THE O-State U., and it is presented in the collage football capitol of the world NEW YORK CITY!! A bunch of old men in a snooty club.
mtnvol writes:
No Tennessee fan worth his/her salt pays any attention to the "hype-man" anymore. It has more to do with media bias than football.
As CR wouls say...."yawn." Who cares? Not me!
tennisvol writes:
Your're right on the Big Ten. Tebow deserves it, but just like Manning lost to a player in the Big Ten, it will probably be the same this year. Maybe they need to change the name to the Big Ten MVP.
DroopyDrawers writes:
The Heisman is a farce!
DroopyDrawers writes:
The Heisman is a farce!
inquiry writes:
I"d agree with this one.. a one man wrecking machine doesn't come by too often.. Tebow for Heisman
seaplane#216536 writes:
Good analysis of why Manning didn't win the Heisman. It's too bad a clean cut image would eliminate you, but it did. Couldn't have anything to do with the team record because Spurrier won it the year Florida lost 3 games.
If you were picking a football team, who would you take? Peyton Manning or Charles (Big Ten) Woodson.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Hey Adams! My memory goes even farther back, when Paul Hornung, QB for a 2-8 Notre Dame team, beat out our all purpose tailback, Johnny Majors, from our 10-0 team, for the Heisman trophy. By those standards, with Notre Dame's 2007 team approaching the futility of the 1956 team, maybe Jimmy Clausen would be favored over Erik Ainge? After all, Erik managed to play poorly enough two years ago to be benched in favor of Jimmy's older brother, Rick. I haven't seen Tebow walk on water yet, but I did see him kissing his roommate, Joiner, on national TV. Liked Mark Richt's kissing his wife much better. Go Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Heisman, are they still doing that?
GreeneVol writes:
Pat White's in the Big East ... a more typical Heisman conference what with the audience demographics ... the fumble tendency may cost him - but don't count him out.
What if... the three finalists were Tebow, McFadden and Glenn Dorsey from LSU? That would have to be a first.
dfreeman writes:
I think Mcfadden has done more with less of a team than Tebow has with the gators! With that being said, I think it's those two and it ain't even close!!! Dorsey won't win it because Tennessee doesn't have a player in the race!!
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
I think Tebow is the best player in the country. Only watched one possesion with Dixon before he hurt his knee but he would have serious consideration I am told. McFadden may very well have lost the Heisman at Neeland Stadium. He sure didn't look like the Heisman leading candidate hype against UT. I promise you that LSU is glad it doesn't have to face Tebow again. That is an interesting stat about OSU having 7 Heisman winners. Seems there is a clear bias agaist the SEC for reasons I still don't understand but they sure seem to dominate NFL ranks which is a sign of dominance for the conference.
murrayvol writes:
Good piece John. And yes, I can imagine Florida without Tebow. Sweet! I wouldn't quarrel with McFadden or the Timster but they will split the southern vote and that's all either will get.
99gator writes:
ironically enough...tebow and p. manning share something else in common.
i can't think of another player being more hyped coming out of high school besides tebow... other than manning. amazingly, peyton lived up to it and exceeded it and tebow is living up to it and exceeding it.
i was extremely worried before the season for the kid because he was idolized as a football god and had not really done anything yet. media members asked before the season if the guy could actually throw.
i never would have guessed he would be this good this quickly.
UT_Tim writes:
Dixon was going to win it hands down before he got hurt.
D Mac as the locals referrer to him is a great player buy he’s stumbled three times so far this year. 43 years vs. Auburn, 61 years vs. Fla International and 88 yards vs. Miss St. He’s had good numbers on such schools as UT Chatt, Troy, North Texas but not great averaging 137 for those three games. Not Heisman like IMO
The clear pick (as much as I hate to say it) is Tim Tebow. The guy is a monster and the first 20-20 man. He’s had a rushing TD and passing TD in every game this year.
The only thing that will keep him from the Heisman is the fact he’s only a sophomore. I remember hearing the same thing about a guy named Manning. If TT doesn’t get it because someone out preformed him on the field I’m OK with it. If he doesn’t get it because he’s a sophomore, it’s a crime.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
I don't think the media award will go to any member of a team in the sec. To win the award you must be in a conference that ABC and/or ESPN has a contract with to take home the award.
scvolalum writes:
The Heisman Trophy has been a farce ever since Paul Hornung won it over Johnny Majors. I still clearly remember how pissed we all were at all those voters pulling for Notre Dame over Tennessee with their votes (2-8 vs. 10-0). Woodson's getting more votes than Peyton was no surprise at all. There's a clear-cut bias against the SEC by the press. 'Always has been. SI, like network TV, just begs for the Ohio States, SC's, Michigans and Notre Dames to have decent records so they can shove SEC teams to the side. If you'll notice, the ACC doesn't get much help either. I despise Florida just as much as I do Alabama, But Tebow IS the best player in America and McFaddon is the second best. Yet-------------the odds are stacked against them. If you're like me, you have the tendency to ignore such biased institutions like the Heisman Joke. GO VOLS--BEAT THE CATS!!!!
gohawks1 writes:
Somebody tell me again why I should care about this so called award. Also, why is this article posted on the Vols website?
I don't get it, Big Dan.
DSaVol writes:
The only bias I see reading all this is that a whole lot UT fans just can't face reality - surprise! LMAO!!! Didn't see Lauricella or Majors play but neither Shuler nor Manning were robbed of anything. Woodson shouldn't have beaten Peyton but there is no way in hell anybody can say he was the best FOOTBALL PLAYER in the country that year. Best QB? Yes. Best player? Not even top 5. And for all you that claim not to care - I bet any amount of money you'd be on here hyping the hell out of someone if the Vols had anybody in the running - so don't even try to say you don't care. Wishing you had something to care about is more like it! LMAO!!!
gohawks1 writes:
Blah, blah, blah.....
1974Vol writes:
DSaVol if PM wasn't the best player why was he drafted with the first pick in the NFL draft? The Heisman Trophy is a beauty contest. When the GM's of the NFL get their checkbooks out is when you tell who really can play the game. I never cared who won the HT because the only trophies that matter are team Championship ones. PM got only one SEC and no NC's so if I'm disappointed over lack of trophies its the Vols didn't win more of those with PM under center.
DSaVol writes:
1974Vol....IF PM was the best player because he was taken #1 by the NFL then Ryan Leaf must have been the 2nd best player. How'd that turn out??? Your logic is terribly flawed my friend.
CrankE writes:
Strange that no one is calling him a product of the system. I wonder which product of the system, uh, Heisman Trophy Winner he'll resemble in a few years; Eric Crouch or Danny Wuerffel?
Stumps writes:
Adams - I agree with your logic but not your conclusion.
Yes, it's harder to have the "Heisman" stats when you play a schedule as tough as the routine SEC sechdule - 5-6 top ranked teams a season vs. 1 or 2 at best like the Pac10, Big 12, Big 10, ACC, etc. play.
However, Tebow is not clearly the best player in the country. I hate picking up the paper and reading how a player padded his "heisman" stats when his team played a non-ranked team in a second tier conference. If Tebow wants the Heisman, he should have stepped it up against GA. JMHO.
FWIW, as a Tennessee fan, I'd rather have an SEC championship or national title shot and no heisman winner than a heisman winner leading his team to a mean-nothing bowl and then on to a worthless NFL career.
Vols37922 writes:
I hate the Gators, but it is clear that Tebow deserves the Heisman. I mean, c'mon, 20+ pass TDs and 20+ rush TDs. Those are insane numbers. But I agree with Adams, if Tebow does win it will be by a small margin (even though it shouldn't even be close) or some lesser deserving Big 10, PAC-10, or Big 12 player will get it.
mobilealvol writes:
I agree the Heisman is heavily influenced by the Big Ten-ABC connection. How else do you explain Champ Bailey the year after Woodson with better stats and no mention for the Heisman? As much as I hate to admit it, Tebow IS the BEST player of the year.
tlc429#392720 writes:
Good article, JA. I thougth everyone knew ESPN stood for the Extra Sucky People's Network after they overlooked Peyton, who's numbers made Wuerfful's look pitiful, who had won it the year before. Pure conspiracy. I hate I even have to watch ESPN and meely mouth Corso and Fowler. WE know how good our conference is and the calibur players in it. That's why Peyton is rewriting the record books in the NFL now. SEC FOREVER!!
Stumps writes:
for those of you who read USAToday, good article on the SEC in there this week. all of this would go away if we could get a playoff system and dump the rediculous, meaningless bowls.
budrhon writes:
Give it to Tebow, maybe he'll decide to turn Pro after this season if he can. He surely can't keep taking the pounding he receives year end and year out. Anyones thoughts on Tebow at the next level?
Hoss44 writes:
Anyone see Skip Bayless plugging Ohio State QB Todd Boeckman for the Heisman 2 weeks ago. Palmer was completely dumbfounded by that argument. My vote would be for either Dorsey, or McFadden.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
STUMPS I agree with the notion Tebow should have stepped it up against Georgia but he had a hurt shoulder. I believe that Meyer has used him far too much rushing - he doesn't run out of bounds or slide he plays full back. All those yards gained rushing did come with a price -injury. Should Dixon out at Oregon be forgotten because he couldn't finish the season? I also really hate the notion that the best player in the nation should come from a team with a winning record. What if a phenomenol DE with 24 sacks plays for a team that is 5-7 because the team's offense is terrible. That doesn't negate the fact that he is the best player in the country. Tebow won't win it because he is a sophmore and Florida will not be in a BCS bowl(and of course he is from the SEC). I honestly believe that he is the best player in the country - man I hate saying that though.
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