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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Let the Heisman race begin
By Brent Musburger
Special to BCSfootball.com
Each Tuesday throughout the season, ABC's Brent Musburger will give his five things to watch for the coming weekend.
My esteemed colleague Terry Bowden says that Drew Brees is atop the Heisman Trophy watch list because of his back-to-back performances against Michigan and Northwestern. We don't disagree with Terry. If Brees leads the Boilermakers past Wisconsin, Ohio State and into Pasadena, you can probably send the trophy into West Lafayette. But the way things are going this season, be careful of predicting anything.
|  | | LaDainian Tomlinson is on pace for a 2,000-yard season. |
Here are five other players to keep an eye on, just in case Brees and Purdue stumble.
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU
Everyone says the Heisman is going to a quarterback, and if they are wrong, here's the No. 1 running back in the country. Tomlinson leads the nation in rushing, averaging nearly 195 yards per game, and has unheralded Texas Christian in the Top 10 for the first time since December 1959. In Tomlinson's favor -- numbers. Heisman Trophy voters love numbers. Working against him is television exposure and TCU's schedule.
2. Eric Crouch, Nebraska
A week from Saturday, Crouch and the Cornhuskers go to Oklahoma, and it will be just like the old days. There will be tons of publicity, media from all around the country will be there, and if Crouch runs for a couple of touchdowns and passes for a third, and Nebraska wins to protect its No. 1 ranking, then Crouch becomes a leading candidate.
Remember, this is the guy who bailed the 'Huskers out with an overtime touchdown at Notre Dame.
3. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech
His numbers aren't great this year, but his highlights have been fabulous. The 80-yard touchdown run against Boston College and the bomb to Andre Davis against West Virginia were shown over and over again to Heisman voters nationwide.
Vick gets a chance to seal the deal when he rolls into Miami on Nov. 4. Beat the 'Canes in the Orange Bowl and you've got as good an argument as anybody. If Vick can find a way to win that game, this Hokie team may wind up back in the BCS title game. And folks, it'll be just up the road at Pro Player Stadium.
|  | | Chris Weinke has thrown for more than 1,000 yards in the last two games. |
4. Chris Weinke, Florida State
Just when we got ready to bury Weinke, he found a Duke punching bag, and threw for a school-record 536 yards and five touchdowns. Florida State still has media-grabbing games against Clemson and Florida. This is a guy with a big shot down the stretch.
5. Woody Dantzler, Clemson/ Josh Heupel, Oklahoma
Take your pick from either of our two longshots, both of whom are soaring up the charts. Dantzler and Heupel both have to win out to have a chance -- but Heupel against Nebraska and Dantzler against Florida State present the kind of television opportunity that Heisman Trophy winners must have. Heupel has already received some important TV time, winning two huge games against Texas and Kansas State.
To me, this may be the most fascinating Heisman trophy race in history. It's more wide open than George W. against Vice President Gore, and we have many more debates to enjoy.
Let the race begin.
Brent Musburger a regular contributor to BCSfootball.com.
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Purdue's Drew Brees throws 26 yards to Vinny Sutherland for the TD against Northwestern.
Josh Heupel answers the question of who should be No. 1.