Congrats to Sam Bradford!

Congratulations to the 2008 winner of the H------ Trophy, Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.

Here's the numbers:

1726 pts - Sam Bradford
1604 pts - Colt McCoy
1575 pts - Tim Tebow
213 pts - Graham Harrell
116 pts - Michael Crabtree
65 pts - Shonn Greene
19 pts - Pat White

Our post-game analysis:

Well, for starters, we got it right. We projected Sam Bradford would get 60.8% of the vote - and he got 62.1%. Once again, we're within 2% of the actual total.

But, for the first time since 2002, we didn't quite get the finalists' order of finish right. We projected Tim Tebow with a narrow 2.1% win over Colt McCoy. In fact, McCoy edged Tebow by 1.0%.

Of course, it was an odd year - with Tebow picking up the most first-place votes (as we projected) and yet placing third, very narrowly.

namefirstsecondthirdballotspointsProjected %Actual %
S Bradford82894321446760.8%62.1%
C McCoy71696420441553.1%57.7%
T Tebow92456520243155.2%56.7%
G Harrell131418232.4%7.7%
M Crabtree007770.8%4.2%
S Greene1258121.4%2.3%
P White010120.4%0.7%
N Davis001110.1%0.4%
R Maualuga010120.1%0.3%
J Ringer003330.2%0.3%

Kari Chisholm | December 13, 2008 | Comment on This Post (49 so far)
Permalink: Congrats to Sam Bradford!

Comments

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Way to go Sam! A class act all the way.

Posted by: Sam | Dec 13, 2008 6:05:55 PM

Way to go, Boomer Sooner. You guys pick'um right everytime. Good job and way to go Sam

Posted by: Rick | Dec 13, 2008 6:06:09 PM

BOOMER SOONER!!! Now let's take the other trophy in January!!!

Posted by: CJ | Dec 13, 2008 6:07:57 PM

Congrats to Sammy!

BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!

Posted by: SoonerBrian | Dec 13, 2008 6:11:39 PM

Thanks again for your work on this site. The best!

Boomer Sooner

Posted by: Jon | Dec 13, 2008 6:18:45 PM

Congrats, Sam! So proud of you! BOOMER SOONER!

Posted by: Mytwocents | Dec 13, 2008 6:19:32 PM

Great job to everyone. Sam came out on top and that is the way it should be. Amazing season for sure. Great job stiffarmtrophy.com!!

Posted by: Craig | Dec 13, 2008 6:23:33 PM

Considering the quality of the candidates, I think this has to be one of the most valued Heisman wins in several years.

Congrats Sam!

Posted by: Jeff | Dec 13, 2008 6:28:59 PM

Congrats to Sam! My dad's a big Sooner fan, and that made him happy.

I'm not sure what to make of Billy Sims yelling "Boomer!" like he had Tourette's. School spirit is great, and I'm proud to say Sims went to my high school, but dang, just not sure if that was the time.

I guess he could have yelled out a shill for his BBQ joint, though. So it could have been worse. And he was just proving his Wiki page right.

Posted by: lalaland13 | Dec 13, 2008 6:31:08 PM

Congrats to Bradford.

And stop inviting Billy Sims to the Heisman ceremony. His yelling upstages the winner's special moment. As you could probably tell by that snappy "sooner" that his "BOOMER!x9" yells got from Sam.

Posted by: Mike | Dec 13, 2008 6:33:00 PM

Congratulations Sam!!! And congratulations to StiffArmTrophy.com for getting it right once again!!!

Posted by: Mark | Dec 13, 2008 6:33:34 PM

Thanks so much for doing this again this year!!

Posted by: jerry | Dec 13, 2008 6:55:15 PM

Congrats to Sam, and thanks for all the hard work StiffArmTrophy.com!

Posted by: JC | Dec 13, 2008 6:58:54 PM

HEY LALALAND.... Speaking of being offensive... you top the list... I have a son with tourette's and I find your attempt at humor, at the expense of a real disorder that affects many families, downright offensive and you should be ashamed of yourself. At least Billy's statements aren't made at the expense and injury of others...

Posted by: p | Dec 13, 2008 7:59:46 PM

Whoa p, calm down.

Lalaland wasn't making an attempt at humor, he was comparing Billy's unnecessary shouting of "BOOMER" with a medical condition. It was an analogy. Not a joke. Billy kept exclaiming "BOOMER" as if he had no control of himself, which he clearly did. And Billy was a hell of a lot more annoying than Lalaland's comment. No need to recklessly shout "BOOMER" like an idiot a dozen times at the most important moment in Sam Bradford's life; even Bradford was embarrassed by Billy's shenanigans. I don't think Sam Bradford could have said "Sooner" any quieter or more sheepishly. There is a time and a place for anything, and this was not it.

So, calm down, and stop being offended. I say that in all kindness, but I have a feeling you are going to be "offended" at this post as well.

Oh well. Can't say I didn't try.

Posted by: Anthony | Dec 13, 2008 8:33:48 PM

Anthony... I know what an analogy and that was not it... he was comparing what he thought was embarrasing behaviour to a person with tourette's. It is offensive and you would not understand..obviously,...

By the way ... you might look up the definition of an analogy before you spout off with what you try to pass off as an analytical response to my prior email.

Posted by: p | Dec 13, 2008 9:35:23 PM

Might as well call this site oklahomatrophy.com. Are there any Lognhorns or Gators out there. ou gets drilled come January. So tired of Bob Stoops and ou. Next.

Posted by: Sean | Dec 13, 2008 10:11:21 PM

you'll all learn to ignore "p" on this site. his posts are always a waste of time, and he takes offense at anything.

Posted by: steve | Dec 13, 2008 10:12:44 PM

p,

I said analogy when I meant simile. My mistake.

And as far as the "not understanding" bit, I think you are saying that I've never had the experience of another individual making fun of someone in my immediate family over an illness they had.

In which case, you are mistaken.

I have, and I found that getting offended at anonymous people who take supposed shots at my family served no purpose. My lecturing or yelling at them solved nothing; it just wasted my time and energy. The anonymity of the internet allows people to say whatever they want, and nothing I said to them could change their mind. Kind of like what you and I are doing here.

And since we are in a correcting mood, you didn't send a "e-mail," you sent a "post." You might look up the definition of an e-mail before you spout off with what you try to pass off as an analytical response to my prior email.

Posted by: Anthony | Dec 13, 2008 10:21:34 PM

Does anyone else think the Heisman voting is stupid? I know its been around forever and all that jazz...but Tebow getting the most first place votes and going home in third? That's ridiculous. Now I think that Bradford deserved it the most out of the three, but the voting should be changed a little. Maybe make first place worth more or something. I don't know. Also, anyone else note that Myron Rolle got a first place vote? That should tell you how crappy the voting system is. I mean Myron is a great kid who has a bright future, and on top of that he is really really smart. But he isn't that good of a football player and shouldn't have received a first place vote. Anyone agree with me?

Posted by: Person | Dec 13, 2008 10:25:38 PM

Person,

I'm inclined to agree with you. I was surprised myself to see that Tebow got the most first place votes but ended up in third. They might change it to a 7-4-1 system, where first place gets 7 points, second gets 4, and third gets 1. Perhaps that would even up the distribution a bit and make first place votes worth a bit more.

Full Disclosure: I am a proud member of the Gator Nation, and although I was routing for Tebow to become the only second double Heisman winner, I thought that all three were excellent candidates and deserving of the Trophy.

Posted by: Anthony | Dec 13, 2008 10:35:35 PM

Tebow only received a "narrow" 9 votes of first place over Bradford. NOT a mandate by voters by any means. Very fair system. The points/ranking system as Kari stated earlier is to defeat homerism, or especially as in this case, when two worthy contenders from the same region may split the votes giving an unworthy person (Tebow) the win. Not a slight of Tim, but he was clearly not worthy to even be in NY this year.

I guarantee you this: had only one (Bradford or McCoy) been a contender this year, they would have BLOWN Tebow off of the stage with 1st place votes. It was clearly split. It is a GREAT and FAIR system, and the right person won.

Posted by: AlohaDude | Dec 13, 2008 10:50:52 PM

Tebow not worthy?? Have you watched a Gators game from start to finish??? I was not trying to say that Tebow deserved first, but he was most definitely worthy. He may have not had the numbers but he is so important to the Gators. I attend the University of Florida and to see what he does to the team and the university is amazing. So he was definitely worthy. I was just saying that the voting system is skewed a bit. I mean, some people didn't have any of the three finalists on their ballots. I mean, Myron Rolle got a first place vote. Max Hall got a second place vote! Mark Kiszla voted 1. Zac Robinson, 2. Rey Maualuga, and 3. Javon Ringer. I mean come on! Why does he have a vote?! Don't get me wrong here though...as much as I love Tim Tebow....this was Bradford's award all the way and he deserved it. The voting needs to be altered or they need to decide on the finalists somehow and then vote just on them. Anyways, Congrats to Bradford! I look forward to when we play the Sooners in the Championship! Should be fun!

Posted by: Person | Dec 13, 2008 11:41:17 PM

If I know anything about Tebow, he will respect Bradford but use this as motivation when the national championship game goes down on Jan. 8th. Make no mistake, Tebow weill prove he is the best player in the nation in that game!

Posted by: Jack | Dec 13, 2008 11:59:35 PM

Perhaps "not worthy" was a bit too strong of words. I just meant to say that in my perception, there were other players who I feel should have been elevated over Tebow in the voting. I do feel he was only there and gathered as many votes was because of ESPN's campaigning to make it interesting, and garner ratings. Sure, Tebow is important to his team, but it's NOT the MVP award. I feel stats against qualified opponents is King. I feel Tim's were simply too low... especially compared to his own stats last year. Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree I feel should have been there in the #3 and #4 spots.

Once again, my opinion. And yes, I did watch three Florida games this year all the way. Good player, just not GREAT with his stats this year. He is the MVP Florida, just not in the top 5 in the country "this" year.

Yes, the game should be exciting, and I expect a close one. No one is gonna blow anyone out.

Posted by: AlohaDude | Dec 14, 2008 12:02:09 AM

Congrats to Sam Bradford, However, the best player in college football is Tim Tebow. Period. See you on Jan. 8th!

Posted by: Jack | Dec 14, 2008 12:02:20 AM

So, Sooner fans worried about the heisman curse yet? It would be funny to see another 41-14 NCG, pitting a unheralded SEC defense against a 'unstoppable' offense for a third year.....

Posted by: Sooners=Gatrobait | Dec 14, 2008 5:05:21 AM

A phenomenal season by Sam Bradford. A worthy Heisman winner. Congrats!

Posted by: Chuck | Dec 14, 2008 8:20:11 AM

Can the media apologize to the Downtown Athletic Club for making a big deal about not inviting Harrell? He was 1300 points from 3rd place.

Posted by: Normal Fan | Dec 14, 2008 9:17:32 AM

GO SAM BRADFORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Rachel | Dec 14, 2008 9:22:16 AM

As I posted on another part of this site, I was afraid that the voting would come out this way. The disparity of first place votes versus overall votes is not the issue. I would be interested in Kari's analysis, but it looks to me that many West and Southwest voters went out of their way to keep Tebow off of their ballots - even beyond the third place votes that Harrell got. Meanwhile the voters in the South and other regions were much more consistent in having the Big 3 votegetters all on their ballot. It's also interesting that ESPN's geographic fan vote showed strong support for Tebow from all over the country (and he got the most votes nationally).

Its the educated differences of opinion that make talking sports so much fun, and the regionalism that shows up in the priority of the voting is to be expected. But when it appears that the professional press start engaging in anti-candidate voting to put their guy over the top, the list of voters or the system probably deserves a second look.

Posted by: traditionalist | Dec 14, 2008 9:45:23 AM

Congrats to Bradford and the Sooners! Very deserving candidate and I was proud of all three...

Posted by: supergatorfan | Dec 14, 2008 9:47:48 AM

Sooners=Gatorbait....I really hope you aren't likining the Sooners offense to that of Ohio State....everyone know the Ohio State offense has never been considered "unstoppable".

Posted by: Jason | Dec 14, 2008 9:50:09 AM

"Troy Smith believes to be the best you have to believe you're the best. The way Ohio State has manhandled the competition so far, there's every reason for the Buckeyes to think they're unbeatable. Smith threw for 186 yards and four touchdowns and No. 1 Ohio State made another September statement, thumping No. 13 Iowa 38-17 Saturday night and extending the nation's longest winning streak to 12 games." http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262732294

I think it's going to be an awesome game, though I would have preferred Texas, they seem a bit more balanced than the Sooners. But that's just my opinion of the games I've seen of both the longhorns and sooners.

Just want to note: both Troy Smith and Sam Bradford rely on a massive front to protect the pocket and are not considered 'mobile' QBs per say...


Posted by: Sooner=Gatorbait | Dec 14, 2008 1:10:52 PM

"Just want to note: both Troy Smith and Sam Bradford rely on a massive front to protect the pocket and are not considered 'mobile' QBs per say..."

His Junior year Smith ran for 611 yards and 11 TD's, but his Senior year focused on his passing game to try and make himself a NFL style QB and intentionally ran less (almost 56% less carries). Troy Smith has only ever been referred to as a 'mobile' QB. OSU's line was completely outplayed, even destroyed by the Florida defensive front seven in that NC Game, and if you stuck any QB back there in that game(and I do mean any), the results would've been the same.

Posted by: Myc | Dec 14, 2008 2:05:42 PM

Anthony -

Even in a 7-4-1 voting system, the results would be Bradford 3556 McCoy 3244 Tebow 3215.

Posted by: CJ | Dec 14, 2008 4:52:20 PM

What kind of balance does Texas have? Their leading rusher is their QB with less than 600 yards on the season.....where is the balance or were you talking about the defense being equal to the offense?

Posted by: Jason | Dec 14, 2008 7:20:57 PM

The SW and MW voters did an excellent job of manipulating the results by leaving Tebow completely off of 154 ballots. Interesting that more voters thought Tebow was the MOST deserving, yet he came in third. If I understand correctly the last time the person who won, but did not have the most first place votes, was Billy Simms (who desperately needs a program, btw) back in 1978, thirty years ago. Bradford is a worthy recipient, but it is questionable how he got there.

Posted by: Jim | Dec 15, 2008 12:00:45 PM

You black helicopter theorists with your idea that somehow the NEVER united SW and MW voters colluted against Tebow need to have another drink and show some respect.
2/3 Of PAST HEISMAN Voters voted for Bradford. Do you also wish to change the system to block their votes. Enough said.
Contgratulation Sam. YOU desreve it.

Posted by: StevieTD | Dec 15, 2008 9:06:15 PM

Questionable about how he got there?! Here's how he got there:

By having arguably the best back to back seasons by a quarterback in the history of the game. Oh you want proof? Oh ok. Here is its:

1) Broke the record for touchdowns in a season as a freshman.
2) Lead the entire country as a freshman in passing efficiency.
3) Broke the record for touchdowns in a season as a sophmore.
4) Lead the entire country as a sophmore in passing efficiecny.
5) 48 TDs to 6 Int.
6) Broke the all time record for passing efficiency in a season (still one game left to make if official).

8 games with over 300 yards passing. Led his team to an NCAA record 700+ points.

The only time in NCAA history that there has been a 4000 yard passer and TWO 1000 yard rushers on the same team. In other words, Bradford's numbers are not inflated because they never run. They are actually ranked in the top 20 in rushing.

Finally, he set all of these records while sitting out all or most of the 4th quarter in 8 games! Yes, that is correct. He missed a total of two complete games during the season by sitting out in the 4th quarter.

You can argue that other candidates are deserving like McCoy. McCoy had an awesome year setting the record for completion percentages. The argument for Tebow is pretty weak though. Not only did he have worse stats than last year, but his stats arent even in the ball park with the other two guys. Some will say its because he has character and will. Like the other two do not?! Please.

Anyway, as I said, you can make a case for McCoy and Tebow. What you cannot do is make a case against Bradford winning.

Posted by: George | Dec 16, 2008 3:33:18 AM

Think as you wish. Bottom line: Tebow had the most first place votes. More voters thought Tebow was the MOST deserving. Bradford and the other Big 12 QBs put up amazing numbers....against 3rd class defenses.

Posted by: Jim | Dec 16, 2008 5:42:32 AM

Oh, and Bradford also has the NCAA career record for passing efficiency.

Posted by: me too | Dec 16, 2008 10:10:50 AM

StevieTD:

1. Learn basic English spelling. It's "colluded." It's "congratulations." It's hard to take you seriously when you don't know how to spell simple words.

2. It's not a matter of argument. It's a FACT that many SW voters, knowing that Tebow would gain the most 1st place votes, torpedoed him by leaving him off the ballot entirely. It's a flaw in the voting process, and Bradford benefited from it. Did it make the difference in Bradford winning? Maybe. Possibly. We'll never know. But to ignore the fact that Tebow's vote totals were negatively affected is to just be...ignorant.

The easiest way to minimize (not eliminate, but minimize) the "torpedo" technique, would be have two round of Heisman voting: one round to determine 3 finalists, and then another round where voters rank the finalists 1-2-3.

Posted by: Jack | Dec 16, 2008 1:17:08 PM

"It's not a matter of argument. It's a FACT that many SW voters, knowing that Tebow would gain the most 1st place votes, torpedoed him by leaving him off the ballot entirely. It's a flaw in the voting process, and Bradford benefited from it. Did it make the difference in Bradford winning? Maybe. Possibly. We'll never know. But to ignore the fact that Tebow's vote totals were negatively affected is to just be...ignorant."

Perhaps he wasn't on their ballots because, like a great many people throughout the country, they did not feel Tebow was one of the three best players in college football...
Just because some people believe that Tebow was the best player - and yes a slim majority of voters believed that too - doesn't make it so. In fact I would argue that Graham Harrell deserved it more than Tebow because of better stats, and better play, but he was excluded because of one game against an amazing team. However Tebow led his team to defeat at home against Ole' Miss where he was outplayed by Jevan Snead... and you want to give it to him? Please. Tebow was phenomenal last year - not so much this year.

Posted by: Myc | Dec 16, 2008 4:53:36 PM

I keep hearing that Tebow was outplayed by Jevan Snead. Really? Tebow was 24/38 for 319 yards, 1 TD and no INTs passing, 7 yards and 2 TDs rushing. Snead was 9/20 for 185 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT passing (86 yards came on one pass), -2 yards and 1 TD rushing. The only way you can say Tebow was outplayed by Snead is if the winning QB always outplays the losing QB. Flimsy. And while I am a Gator fan, let me say that any of the 3 finalists were deserving. I would have loved for Tebow to go back-to-back, but Bradford put up great numbers. Congrats to him.

Posted by: Dave | Dec 16, 2008 7:48:14 PM

Had McCoy and Bradford been the only contenders Tebow would have lost in a land slide? I don't think so. Maybe if it was only Bradford, but if McCoy had been his only competition Tebow would have gotten most of Bradford's votes.

Posted by: Bryant | Dec 16, 2008 7:59:47 PM

I keep hearing this nonsense about how Tebow lost because 130 ballots didn't have him on it. Well, guess what? 90 ballots didn't have Bradford on them. Is there some conspiracy there as well? Regardless, they pretty much canceled each other out. Thats why there are 900 voters. So if 10% vote kind of wacky it doesn't really matter.

Posted by: George | Dec 17, 2008 12:37:58 PM

Tebow answered the question on the field...he is the best college football player in the nation. Not to mention he played the entire season with a bone spur in his right shoulder...had surgery today. Bradford throws a nice, accurate pass, but I'd take Tebow to QB my team every day of the week, especially against quality defenses.

Posted by: Jim | Jan 12, 2009 3:30:41 PM

You write very well.

Posted by: Kiri | Apr 22, 2009 4:20:00 AM


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