Even if Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen throws four touchdown passes today to help upset Southern Cal, it’s impossible for him, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy or anyone in college football to match the extraordinary profile of Tim Tebow.
Why else do you think Tebow, despite posting pedestrian numbers, was the only player listed on all 10 Heisman watch ballots by USA Today? Florida’s quarterback, who is 97th in the country in passing yards (777), no longer needs monster games like he had two years ago to capture the award. As long as the No. 1-ranked Gators win, his career achievements will be too much for anyone to overcome.
It’ll take an unusual set of circumstances for Tebow to not join Archie Griffin as a two-time Heisman recipient. Maybe Alabama running back Mark Ingram totally outshining him in a SEC championship showdown. Or Clausen, who leads the nation in both passing efficiency and yards per attempt, guiding Notre Dame to a top-five ranking.
Even then, it might not be enough. Tebow received more publicity just coming back from a concussion than for any game performance. They might as well change college football’s most prestigious award to the Hypeman Trophy. That’s why Tebow is the front-runner, and likely to stay there. …
jacksonville.com
10/17/09
