For What It's Worth: All Eyes are on the Chase

Saturday night is Championship Saturday. There will be three conference championship games played, and many will be interested in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game for two reasons. First, if Missouri wins the Big 12 Championship Game, they will be headed to New Orleans for the BCS National Title Game. Second, they will be watching Missouri QB Chase Daniel's last audition for the Heisman. Daniel needs this game for the trophy. By all indications, the Heisman chase is down to Daniel, Tim Tebow of Florida, and Darren McFadden of Arkansas. I think most voters will wait until after that game to decide. McFadden has been on the list all year based on his second place in the voting last year, and Tebow has put up "Superman" like numbers and performances all year. But, Daniel is the newcomer. He had a great year last year, but he was unknown. This year, he has played great and has his team on the verge of a conference championship and a shot at the National Title. And, based on recent Heisman winners, that is the kind of year voters like to see.

However, with the kind of year we have seen in College Football, a Mizzou loss is just as likely. In fact, Oklahoma is favored to beat Mizzou. That would put Heisman voters in a dilemma. Heisman voters have a recent record for voting for the most outstanding player on a team in the National Title Game. Neither McFadden nor Tebow will be in the National Title Game. Florida has 9 wins and Arkansas has 8. Florida played better all year than Arkansas. But, McFadden had two of the most "super human" performances of the year. Against South Carolina, McFadden rushed for 323 yards, had a rushing TD and a passing TD. And, again McFadden led the Hogs of an upset over Top Ranked LSU the day after Thanksgiving with 206 yards rushing, 2 rushing TD's and one passing TD. However, Tebow had stats like that all year. Tebow has 29 pass TD's and 22 rush TD's. Tebow's biggest weakness, for the Heisman Trophy voters, is that he is a Sophomore. That might have been the same weakness that cost McFadden the trophy last year.

The dilemma could be avoided if Chase Daniel has a humongous game for Missouri and they win the Big 12 Title and advance to the National Championship. Everyone will be watching, including, most likely, all 923 voters for the Heisman.


Next Up

Let the coaching carousel begin. Several coaches have resigned, been fired or "retired." Arkansas' Houston Nutt had already resigned and found a new job by Tuesday night. Speculation surrounds the Michigan job and the LSU coach Les Miles. Texas A&M has already hired Mike Sherman to replace Dennis Francione. Southern Miss's Jeff Bower has resigned after 17 years. There are other jobs up for grabs, and it should be an interesting few weeks.