180 ballots: McCoy surge moves him ahead of Tebow

Well, it's 4 a.m. over here on the West Coast, and our latest update has 180 ballots with 478 votes.

In this latest batch, Colt McCoy had a bit of a surge - and he's now barely ahead of Tim Tebow (by 0.3%) in our vote projection (though still behind in the hard count.)

Amazingly, Tebow has recorded the most first-place votes - though he's in second in the hard count, and in third in the projection.

180 ballots is more than we've had in three previous years - but we're still not quite confident enough to lock in this projection. A lot of the back-and-forth movement has come from big chunks of home state votes. For example, we've got three times as many votes in the Southwest and in the South regions than we do in the Far West and Northeast regions -- and the outcomes in those underreported regions are very, very close.

Kari Chisholm | December 11, 2008 | Comment on This Post (27 so far) Permalink: 180 ballots: McCoy surge moves him ahead of Tebow

Comments

Tim Tebow is the best player in the game, but here's his problem:

McCoy voters pick Bradford second
Bradford voters pick McCoy second
Tebow voters split their second place votes

The result - Tebow gets the most first place votes but loses for lack of second place votes.

Posted by: Dan | Dec 11, 2008 6:11:50 AM

Dan, I would agree with you. Tebow is the best player in the country...last year. When you look at the 2008 season, I would argue that Bradford is the best player in the country right now and will win the 2008 Heisman Trophy because of it. It's going to be a heck of a National Championship game.

Posted by: Josh | Dec 11, 2008 6:25:11 AM

Tebow is an overated system QB! If Florida didn't have to use him as a RB he would be average. Bradford threw for 48 TDs! Bradford is no stiff either (he ran for 5 which never gets mentioned), if he played in Meyers system, he would not have lost to ole miss at home as he would have hung 60 on them. OU actually has a running game using running backs, it has 2 RBs with well over 10 TDs apeice and both over 1000 yards rushing. Bradford could have easily vultured those like Tebow does. Tebow comes from a big market and has the ESPN halo, otherwise he would be an also ran. I can think of 10 QBs that would do the same as Tebow if they switched places. I also love the hippocrasy form the media. Tebow does more with less, Bradford has talent around him, yet Florida is favored because Florida's skill players are so fast and elusive. If Bradford came from a big market, he would have had the trophy a month ago. He blew away Chang's previous record setting numbers and OU played 6 teams (could 8 by the end of the season) that are ranked in the top 25.

Posted by: reality | Dec 11, 2008 6:40:49 AM

Reality...that was well said. I agree with everything you said 100%. And what really kills me is some of the media saying he's best college football player they've EVER seen. Give me a break. Are they serious. I think Tebow is a great college football player and I have nothing against him, but to call him the best ever is a slap in the face to players like Barry Sanders, Herschel Walker, etc.

Posted by: Darren | Dec 11, 2008 8:30:25 AM

I think it's ridiculous that Tebow can have by far the most 1st place votes (at the moment), yet will most likely lose. That means that since more people like others a little less (as shown by the massive amounts of 2nd and 3rd place votes), they win....Flawed system!

Posted by: Jeff T. | Dec 11, 2008 8:36:24 AM

It is NOT a flawed system.

Posted by: Craig | Dec 11, 2008 9:18:24 AM

what you retards dont realize is tebow has played maybe 3 4th quarters the whole season. do you think his stats would be higher if we ran up the score like that loser Stoops? This is independent of the crap defenses in the big 12. scoring in the 4th quarter when you are up big is very easy and bradford has done it all year.

Posted by: mike | Dec 11, 2008 9:49:41 AM

dang, son...didn't mean to touch a nerve.

Posted by: Jeff T. | Dec 11, 2008 9:53:31 AM

Mike, WHat YOU dont realize is that Bradford sat out most of the second half in most of his games.. and even when in we had 2 1000 yard rushers.... who ran in all but two of the TD's in the champtionship.. which bradford easily could have passed or ran in.... get your facts straight before you spout off.. also, keep talking and lets see how you do in the championship.. willing to bet you will EAT your words

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 9:55:33 AM

Mike,

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Posted by: Sam | Dec 11, 2008 9:55:40 AM

also.. VERY intelligent use of words... wouldn't expect less from a Florida fan

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 9:56:20 AM

The reason the defenses in the big 12 were lower rated is because OU blew them away..

look at the ratings and are you telling me that Vanderbilt is actually a better defensive team than Texas... Give me a break...

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 9:59:18 AM

It is going to be amazing when we see Tebow rip Oklahoma like USC did in 2004. Oklahoma puts up these great numbers every year and then they play other team outside their conference. If Texas had not played them this year they would have said this is the best team ever. Tebow played 8 top 30 defenses and Bradford played 1 and loss. Yes Bradford will be holding up the heisman with the second most 1st place votes. Tebow will show who really is the heisman.

Posted by: Tebow no Two time heisman winner but a Two Time National Champion | Dec 11, 2008 10:00:35 AM

Has any Heisman winner had less 1st place votes than the runner-up?

Posted by: David | Dec 11, 2008 10:17:47 AM

First of all I would like to point out that even though he's not a true sophomore, I have issues with an underclassman receiving the award the year after the barrier was broken.

All three deserve the award, and I'm being truthful when I say so. Even Tebow (yes tebow haters ^_^) who already got the award, did a couple of things this season that will forever be part of college football legend.

I believe McCoy means more to his team than any of the others do though. He put up the stats while being both the rusher and the passer. His offensive line is not one of college football's best. You have to notice that Bradford was barely touched all season long which bought him time to do those perfect throws. Tebow, the quintessential shotgun FB/QB, had a thousand weapons all season and was only needed to carry his team on the game against 'Bama. The fact he was pulled early is actually a deterrent, because the gators kept putting up numbers and td's after he was pulled.

Bradford wasn't needed all season long to carry his team. They were putting up points with or without him. The whole team is beast, not just the QB, but what makes the offense has to be the massive O-Line. He had a couple of Stiff Arm Trophy moments that reminded me of Tebow last year. I won't be mad if he wins it because he did play well enough to deserve it, but I feel McCoy deserves it more.

Try being objective about it, Florida is my alma mater and I can see through the bs that the media tries to sell me. I saw the games, only 8 of the big 12 games this season, but 5 of them featured OU.

I am pretty mad that neither Crabtree or Harell mad the cut. Harell in particular. He is going to break the career NCAAF record of TD's this season, I didn't thin he desserved to win it... but he should have gotten an invite to NYC.

Posted by: Luis | Dec 11, 2008 10:18:45 AM

I disagree with the notion that there is a media bias for Tebow to win the Heisman. Maybe at the beginning of the year, given that he was the defending winner, but on most of the major websites, nearly every media voter (except Dennis Dodd at CBS) is split between Bradford and McCoy. I can actually find very little media love on the major media outlets for Tebow winning this Heisman, which is surprising.

As for him being among the greatest players in college football history, I think at this point, it is very easy to say yes. Sure he plays in a system that favors his strengths, but he's accomplishing things that have never been accomplished before (and there have been plenty of good players in good systems). Bradford is doing the same thing at Oklahoma and if he's able to deliver, there is no reason that folks won't say similar things about him. Right now, though, Bradford just has great numbers that have never been seen before at a school as big as OU and by a sophomore.

Tebow, on the otherhand, was an integral (albeit novelty) part of the National Championship team in 2006 (no way Gators win that without Tebow - he played a large role in a number of close wins). And then he won the Heisman in 2007, the first time a sophomore has ever won, even despite the hundreds of great sophomores before him.

Now Tebow is in position to possibly win a second Heisman and a second National Championship. If this makes you sick, then fine. But it would still be absolutely remarkable and I'm surprised that his status as one of the all-time greats would be questioned. Think of the possibility (which likely will not happen, but...) : 3 years, 2 national championships and 2 Heismans. Absolutely one of the best of all time.

If Bradford wins the Heisman, then the National Championship, then returns and does it again next year, then he deserves this kind of worship that Tebow gets.

Posted by: Matt | Dec 11, 2008 11:29:09 AM

It IS bradford's Second year to play... just like it was Tebow's second year to play when he won it...

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 11:50:04 AM

It IS bradford's Second year to play... just like it was Tebow's second year to play when he won it...

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 11:50:05 AM

And as to COlt... who cares what he MEANS to his team.. the question is whether he is the best college player... sure, Baylor would have been even worse without its star quarterback, but that does not make him heisman worthy...

Typically cry baby texan.. boy texas sure has made a reputation for itself this year of being crybabies.. that is all the nation is talking about now.. I would suggest you texas fans just shut up.. you are making yourself look terrible

Posted by: p | Dec 11, 2008 11:52:30 AM

For those of you that say that OU ran up the score in the 4th quarter, here is score by quarter:

SCORE BY QUARTERS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
-------------------- --- --- --- --- ---
Oklahoma............ 225 231 153 93 - 702
Opponents........... 30 120 84 85 - 319

OU did run it up against Missouri and OSU in the 4th. Had to against OSU because it was close game. Take away those 2 4th quarters and OU was outscored 85 to 48 in the 4th. Compare this to the 200 pts they averaged over previous 3 quarters and tell me they ran it up in the 4th.

Posted by: tim | Dec 11, 2008 12:12:16 PM

For those of you that say that OU ran up the score in the 4th quarter, here is score by quarter:

SCORE BY QUARTERS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
-------------------- --- --- --- --- ---
Oklahoma............ 225 231 153 93 - 702
Opponents........... 30 120 84 85 - 319

OU did run it up against Missouri and OSU in the 4th. Had to against OSU because it was close game. Take away those 2 4th quarters and OU was outscored 85 to 48 in the 4th. Compare this to the 200 pts they averaged over previous 3 quarters and tell me they ran it up in the 4th.

Posted by: tim | Dec 11, 2008 12:13:15 PM

I think its funny how Florida Gater fans can say that OU runs the score up by passing in the 4th quarter... when Urban Meyer is one of the worst coaches in the game at "style points"...

Bradford needs to make room for a trophy... nuff said.

Posted by: Jim Dickenson | Dec 11, 2008 12:46:54 PM

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida 160 144 132 120 556
Opponents 10 31 54 52 147

WOW... 252 points in the second half... to OU and their 246... seems pretty much like both teams keep piling it on after halftime... dont you think? Not to mention that Florida scored more fourth quarter points than OU did for the season... interesting... very interesting... for all you "ou runs up the score" people.

Posted by: Jim Dickenson | Dec 11, 2008 12:53:18 PM

Dickenson,

FL scored a lot in the 4th because we have great RBs that take it to the house..We run the ball in the 4th. Don't sit there and talk about FL's 4th Quartes when OU scored over 700 points on the year!!! almost 200 more then FL! It is possible to run up the score in the 2nd and 3rd quarters...so police that trash! Take the Heisman! We'll take a Championship!! Plus Tebow's win last year was better then the Bradford winning it...

Posted by: Scott | Dec 11, 2008 1:31:25 PM

Of course the OU & Gator fans will be trash talking right up until game time. Say what you want about the BSC, but at least we will get to seem them actully play. So... are the Big XII offense stats so good because the defenses are so bad. Or, are the defense stats skewed because the Big XII has such strong offenses (QB's). Of course the argument is exactly the opposite for the SEC. Well, we shall see. PS. I would love it if they could have found a way to match the top Big XII teams with the top SEC teams.

Posted by: Jim, Wichita | Dec 11, 2008 2:16:10 PM

Sooner fans - will it be a bigger advantage if Florida's Offensive Coordinator remains with Florida for the game - or does the right thing and move on to Miss State. I think it works out best for the Sooners if he stays. Fans smack does not count - we need Tebow to make a few more cracks about the Big XII defenses - that seems to fire our guys up. TEBOW has 210 yards passing (14-22) and 57 yards rushing (17 carries) and he is pronounced the GREATEST. Pleeeeeese....

Posted by: Jim,Wichita | Dec 11, 2008 2:21:14 PM

"SCOTT"... so OU passes for TD's in the second half of games to run up the score? OK... lets go with that.

vs Missouri, big 12 title game... 3rd quarter, no TD's 1 field goal
4th quarter, 3 TD's all rushing

vs Oklahoma State ... 10 point game,last TD on a run late to make it a 21 point win

Plus, last time I checkded... teams play defense... or are supposed to. If your team cannot play defense well enough in the first 3 quarters, to keep my team out of the end zone... then you need to get better. Dont blame me for scoring points because your team sucks.

Posted by: Jim Dickenson | Dec 11, 2008 4:50:21 PM

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