Finally, we've been honored with a Heisman Trophy race that is actually a race. Every single writer who says anything about the 2007 edition has most likely mentioned it, but it's true. In a season with so many crazy twists and turns, nobody REALLY knows who will win. Honestly, it could be any of the 4 finalists. But, I've decided that one takes the cake, if only by the smallest of margins.

The Candidates (each picture best depicts how I see each athlete):


      Chase Daniel                   Colt Brennan                                Darren McFadden                 Tim Tebow


Who: Chase Daniel, University of Missouri, Junior Quarterback
Statistics: 4,170 yards, 33 TD, 10 INT.
Best Game: November 24 vs. Kansas- 40/49, 361 yards, 3 TD passing. Good stats in itself, but factor in the importance of the game and it was truly a performance. Starting off with a quick 21-0 lead, Daniel never let Kansas get back into it, eventually winning 36-28. Which brings the question, "Why is Kansas in the BCS and Missouri not?"
Worst Game: Both losses vs. Oklahoma- Combined statistics- 60/85, 580 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT. Not being able to produce points is worse than small numbers. He threw for plenty of yards, but only 1 touchdown pass is not going to get it done against Oklahoma. The second loss turned out to be the one to kick them out of the BCS. Daniel took the blame.
Why He Could Win: Overall, he had a great statistical season. He and Brennan had similar numbers, with Daniel having less INT and less TD. Catch-22 there. But if he wins it will be because he is the main reason for Missouri meteoric rise to being a legitimate contender again. Like Rick Vaughn without the accuracy problems.
Why He Won't Win: That Oklahoma game to lose the Big 12 Championship. It did him in. Win that game, even with mediocre numbers and he wins the Heisman. But, of course, he doesn't and makes the Heisman race a race again.


Who: Colt Brennan, University of Hawaii, Senior Quarterback
Statistics: 4,174 yards, 38 TD, 14 INT passing. 65 yards, 8 TD rushing.
Best Game: December 1 vs. Washington- 42/50, 442 yards, 5 TD passing. Down 21-0 by the end of the 1st quarter, Brennan led a comeback that was already completed by halftime. Hawaii eventually won 35-28 and saved its perfect regular season entirely on the shoulders of Brennan.
Worst Game: September 23 vs. Charleston Southern- He didn't even play in this game, but that is why it goes down as his worst. This was the catalyst for the downfall of Brennan's Heisman hopes. The injuries are all that puts a damper on his remarkable season.
Why He Could Win: He broke all kinds of career records for passing and will be moving on to the NFL soon enough. Give him the piece of hardware he deserves for being so damn good at what he does. He led the only team in the entire country to sport an undefeated record. Without him they would be worthless. Especially considering the coaches have tailored the offense around his abilities.
Why He Won't Win: Too many injuries. Too many interceptions. Too many pass attempts. The only reason he chalks up so many yards in the air is because of games like San Jose State where he had 75 passing attempts. 75!!!! Are you kidding me!? Any D-1 quarterback should be able to pass 500 yards passing doing that. So the ruling would be Colt Brennan is only as good as his coach's playbook.


Who: Darren McFadden, University of Arkansas, Junior Tailback
Statistics: 1,725 yards, 15 TD rushing. 164 yards, 1 TD receiving. 123 yards, 4 TD passing.
Best Game: November 23 @ LSU- 206 yards, 3 TDs rushing. 34 yards, 1 TD passing. McFadden brought his A-game to one of the toughest stadiums against a then-#1 ranked LSU team with a #1-ranked defense. Some would argue his 321 yard game vs. South Carolina was his best since it thrust him back into the spotlight, but this was McFadden's best overall performance.
Worst Game: October 13 vs. Auburn- 17 rushes, 43 yards, 0 TD. 5 yards receiving, 0 TD. Terrible numbers along with a 9-7 loss to Auburn. He hadn't rushed for less than 120 yards in the 5 games so far in the season. McFadden simply did not show up and it took him completely off the Heisman boards for a while. I'm sure the loss was put on his shoulders and deservedly so when you are the go-to guy.
Why He Could Win: Dubbed the best player in college football right now. McFadden has put up even better numbers than last year when he was a Heisman finalist as well. Even with 2 games where he barely even showed up, he still put together some seriously gaudy numbers that would surely put him a lock in the top 5 of the NFL Draft. He's that good. Let's not forget the 321 yards against South Carolina and the single-handed beating he gave LSU.
Why He Won't Win: He plays for Arkansas. They don't win enough. Most of the voters want winners and will go the traditional route. Rarely do you see 2 or 3 loss teams sporting a Heisman winner, but a 4 loss team? That's stretching it. Some voters may sympathize with him coming up on the short end 2 years in a row and vote for him, while others may give it to someone else thinking he'll be just fine without one.


Who: Tim Tebow, University of Florida, Sophomore Quarterback
Statistics: 3,132 yards, 29 TD, 6 INT passing. 838 yards, 22 TD rushing.
Best Game: November 10 @ South Carolina- 304 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT passing. 120 yards, 5 TD rushing. Unreal. This could have been the best overall single-game performance by a quarterback in recent memory. Or even all memory for that matter. Accounting for 7 touchdowns against a conference opponent. Former Heisman winner Steve Spurrier coaching on the other end. Tebow did this type of thing all year, just never this extensive.
Worst Game: October 6 @ LSU- 12/26, 158 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT passing. 16 attempts, 67 yards, 1 TD rushing. Not very good statistically, plus a 4-point loss to LSU at their place. If only Tebow had a Tebow-like game, Florida would have walked away victorious.
Why He Could Win: Fist player to pass for 20 touchdowns and run for 20 touchdowns in a season. He should win. He is the most elite quarterback in football. He can do everything. The most ironic part is that he was expected to do this before the season began. Tough to fill the expectations laid upon him. But he did it. And some. The games he lost were not necessarily his fault, but without him they would have had no shot. People have been wanting to give this kid the Heisman since he took his first snap at Florida last year. A quarterback with a running back's abilities or a running back with an arm? He is neither. He is simply a new breed of quarterback. There is no explanation for what he can do. Simply put, besides McFadden, he is the best player in college football. So why him instead of McFadden? The people like him better. Some think racism is an issue, but that's not it Not at all. Florida is simply a bigger deal than Arkansas and we got to see Tebow do what he does every week it seemed like, whereas McFadden was "under the radar." Also, I predicted him to win the Heisman before the season started and I want my prophecy fulfilled.
Why He Won't Win: The Gators did lose 3 games. The Razorbacks lost 4 and that's going to hold back McFadden. So why should 1 less loss be any different in the same conference? Let's not forget he is only a sophomore. The voters don't like underclassmen very much when it comes to this prestigious honor so they may wait until next year to hand it to him.

My 2007 Heisman Trophy winner is....




Timothy Richard Tebow of the University of Florida Gators.