NEW YORK - The Heisman Trophy ceremony is less than a day away, and it's shaping up to be one of the closest races in recent memory. Here's a list of the finalists and the reasons why they should win the award or go home empty-handed.
Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Stats: 337/472 for 4,174 yards, 38 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, 166.31 rating.
Best game: vs. Northern Colorado, Brennan was 34 of 40 for 416 yards, 6 scores and no interceptions (W 63-6).
Worst game: at Idaho, he put up 369 yards and three touchdowns on 30-of-49 passing, but also threw five interceptions (W 48-20).
Why he?ll strike the pose: Brennan has been one of the best signal-callers in the nation over the past few seasons, and he kept up that pace this year. He threw for more than 400 yards six times, and more than 500 twice. He also had four games with at least five throwing scores.
Why he won?t: Brennan sat out a game against Charleston Southern and was limited against Nevada, losing two chances to add to his ridiculous statistics. His high yardage and touchdown totals are a bit tainted because of a high number of attempts (he had more than 50 throws four times, and 75 against San Jose State). He also didn?t get a chance to showcase his talent against top competition like the other candidates did.
Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri
Stats: 372/534 for 4,170 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, 151.91 rating.
Best game: vs.Texas A&M, Daniel threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns on 27-of-35 passing (W 40-26).
Worst game: vs. Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, he was 23 of 39 for 219 yards, no scores and an interception. He did add a touchdown on the ground (L 17-38).
Why he?ll strike the pose: Daniel was one of the nation?s most consistent passers this year, and he nearly led the Tigers to a national championship appearance. He was very efficient, completing nearly 70 percent of his throws without many interceptions.
Why he won?t: In the Big 12 title game against the Sooners, Daniel had his chance to impress voters with a stellar performance to earn a berth in the BCS Championship Game. Instead he bombed, and his team lost 38-17 and fell out of the BCS and into the Cotton Bowl.
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Stats: 304 carries for 1,725 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing, 6/11 for 123 yards and four touchdowns passing, and 21 catches for 164 yards and one score receiving.
Best game: Take your pick, a Southeastern Conference record-tying 321-yard performance in a win over South Carolina, or a 206-yard, four-total-touchdown day in a win over No. 1 LSU.
Worst game: 17 carries for 43 yards against Auburn (L 7-9).
Why he?ll strike the pose: The Walter Camp Award winner came up big when the lights were on, resurrecting his campaign in the triple-overtime win at top-ranked LSU. He?s also a junior and was a finalist last year, making him a good alternative to those opposed to voting in sophomore Tim Tebow.
Why he won?t: Three sub-100-yard rushing efforts didn?t scream Heisman. If McFadden does win the award, it?ll be because of two outstanding games, not a season of consistency.
Tim Tebow, QB, UF
Stats: 217/317 for 3,132 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions passing, 194 carries for 838 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing.
Best game: at South Carolina, Tebow was 22 of 32 for 304 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and gained 120 yards and five scores on the ground without star wideout Percy Harvin on the field (W 51-31).
Worst game: vs. Georgia, Tebow was sacked six times and finished with negative-15 yards rushing. He was 14 of 22 for 236 yards and one touchdown, but was unable to keep the Gators in control of the SEC East (L 30-42).
Why he?ll strike the pose: Tebow has been the most consistent performer in the country this season, and record after record fell at his feet. Among other accolades, Tebow became the first player in NCAA history with 20 touchdowns both as a rusher and passer. He also won the Maxwell (most outstanding player) and Davey O?Brien (best quarterback) awards.
Why he won?t: No sophomore has ever won the Heisman, and UF?s three losses are hard for many voters to overlook.
