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 Friday, December 13, 2002
It's Heupel's to win or lose
By Gary Danielson
Special to BCSfootball.com
Each Monday, ABC college football analyst Gary Danielson breaks down the top quarterbacks in the country and how the Heisman race shapes up.
The pressure on the top teams, especially Oklahoma, is going to be one of the determining factors in the national championship, and less importantly, the Heisman Trophy race.
|  | | Peyton Manning finished second in the Heisman balloting in 1997 despite throwing 36 touchdown passes. |
It's one of the reasons I was not in favor of Charles Woodson winning the Heisman in 1997. Part of being the Heisman winner is going through the hype all year and feeling the pressure of it. Charles was a tremendous player and returned some punts, but he snuck under the radar to win it. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning lived under the microscope all year and was judged every game.
Part of being a Heisman winner is having to go through the pressure of having Lee Corso measure you, seeing arrows next to your name in USA Today, teams tailoring their game plans toward stopping you. It's all a part of the test whether you are a worthy Heisman candidate.
As Drew Brees felt it four weeks ago and had a couple of rough games, the pressure has shifted to Josh Heupel, who was a long shot at the beginning of the year. Now, both Heupel's team and individual play are magnified. With that said, Josh has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes in each of the last three games.
While I have said the quarterback with the best team would win the Heisman, statistically, Josh has put Chris Weinke back into the hunt. It's an even game, and while Chris sits back with his season oner, it has forced people to seriously consider him for two reasons: his overwhelming statistics, and the fact that he has likely led Florida State back to the championship game. Is there much of a difference to the voter between having one loss and playing in the championship game compared to no losses and playing in the championship game?
|  | | Josh Heupel has thrown six interceptions to just three TDs over the past three weeks. |
It's too close to call. It will come down to this last nationally televised primetime game. It's Heupel's to win or lose. That's why we have to watch.
If Josh has a big game and Oklahoma remains undefeated, he will win it.
But if he struggles again and throws a couple of interceptions, and the Sooners win closely, Weinke will likely win it.
This should be and will be the latest Heisman ballot. Most people will hold their Heisman ballots longer than ever before.
Josh Heupel, Oklahoma
at Oklahoma State: 19-36-154, 1 TD, 2 int.; rush: 7-17
Season: 256-389-3172, 18 TD, 11 int.; rush: 59-135, 6 TD
This week: Kansas State
Josh gets the last look here. If he has a good game, and the Sooners win, I am going to vote for Josh Heupel. Taking an undefeated in a superior conference is good enough to win it.
Unless the conditions absolutely are so horrible where it is obvious to everyone that playing is impossible, weather should not be a factor.
Chris Weinke, Florida State
Regular season over
Season: 266-431-4166, 33 TD, 11 int.; rush: 30-(-97), 1 TD
Chris is going to sit back and watch like the rest of us. He would like to win the Heisman, but he's happier feeling he has led his team back to another shot at the national championship.
Gary Danielson writes a column every Monday for BCSfootball.com
Respond to Gary's rankings:
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Josh Heupel comments on being 11-0.