It’s been a crazy season thus far, and along with all of the upsets and surprise contenders that have emerged, the Heisman race isn’t decided as of yet heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
Oregon’s Dennis Dixon looks to be at the top of the list right now, and would seem to be the pick if the Ducks finish out the season strong. Arkansas’ Darren McFadden, the preseason favorite after finishing runner-up to Ohio St. QB Troy Smith last season, and Florida sophomore QB Tim Tebow are in the running, even though their teams are all but out of it in their conference races.
There are several other QBs who could make a run, including four in the Big 12 (as mentioned …), Ohio St.’s Todd Boeckman, who could make it two Buckeye signal-callers in a row to win the award, and Kentucky’s Andre Woodson, who might be out of it after his Wildcats lost their last two games. Boston College’s Matt Ryan was considered the frontrunner until the Eagles lost at home to Florida St. last week, and is now, like the others, trying to chase down Dixon.
But, if things become more wide open in the final few weeks, does Hawaii’s Colt Brennan have a shot at winning the award, or at least getting an invitation to New York for the ceremony?
Brennan had a rough couple of games this season, throwing five interceptions against Idaho and four against San Jose St., and he has also dealt with injuries as well, which kept him on the bench for a game against Charleston Southern.
But, he got his hopes back on track by throwing for 425 yards and six touchdowns in a 50-13 win over New Mexico St. in Hawaii’s last game. On the season, Brennan has thrown for 2,820 yards and 26 touchdowns. That comes out to more than 400 yards and nearly four touchdowns per game, which is pretty remarkable, considering he has played a half in two games (vs. Northern Colorado and Utah St.) and has only played three quarters against UNLV.
The 11 interceptions hurt, and so do the fact that the Warriors haven’t played a tough schedule up to this point, and also that he hasn‘t gotten the same national TV exposure as many of the other candidates.
But, Brennan has a chance to make his case in the last few games, starting with Saturday’s game against Fresno St., where he will set an NCAA record in career touchdown passes if he throws three against the Bulldogs. That game, along with Hawaii’s games against Nevada, Boise St., and Washington, will be nationally-televised (ESPN/ESPN2), so if anyone needs their visible proof of Brennan’s credentials, they’ll get it. It’ll require being up a little late, but if he plays like he has for most of his college career, he will be worth staying up for.
He’s definitely a long shot, but if Brennan plays at his best in the last four games, and the Warriors stay unbeaten and clinch a BCS berth, he could get rewarded for a great season and one of the greatest three-year runs in college football history.