HEISMAN WATCH: A CLEAR FAVORITE

by Jacob, Vegas Watch

A weekly look at the top Heisman contenders, as voted on by the EC writers.

1. Dennis Dixon (7) 41
Oregon (8-1) QB
167/246 (67.9%), 2074 yds, 20 TDs, 3 INTs; 103 carries, 549 yds, 8 TDs
Previous rank: 4
Current SportsBetting.com odds: 6:5

In the comments of the September 25 edition of Heisman Watch, Simon wondered aloud why he was the only person to vote for Dixon. Last week he moved up to fourth, and this week he takes the top spot, on the strength of his 4 TD performance in Oregon's 35-23 win over Arizona State.

The Ducks now go on the road, with games at Arizona and UCLA, before closing out the regular season at home against the Beavers. If Oregon can win out, it looks like this award is Dixon's to lose.

2. Tim Tebow (1) 19
Florida (6-3) QB
151/223 (67.7%), 2228 yds, 21 TDs, 4 INTs; 144 carries, 598 yds, 14 TDs
Previous rank: 3
Current SportsBetting.com odds: 7:2

Tebow threw for 3 TDs and ran for 2 against Vandy, but it seems very unlikely that a sophomore on a three loss team will win this award. He's been in the top three of each Heisman Watch, but has never led. The Gators finish out their season against South Carolina, Florida Atlantic, and Florida State, with their final two games being at home.

He's had an very impressive year, but his team hasn't as they are down to 17th in the AP poll. It's likely he'll get an invite to the Downtown Athletic Club, but fall short, and go into 2008 as the favorite.

3. Darren McFadden (2) 15
Arkansas (6-3) RB
222 rushes, 1314 yds (5.9 yds/rush), 12 TDs; 14 catches, 97 yds,
Previous rank: T6
Current SportsBetting.com odds: 3:1

Well, yes, one is likely to jump up in the rankings after rushing for 321 yards. Unlike Tebow, McFadden is going to have the opportunity to finish strong in the national spotlight. Arkansas plays at Tennessee this weekend, followed by a home game against Mississippi State. But McFadden's big opportunity doesn't come until the last game of the year, when Arkansas travels to Baton Rouge to face #2 LSU.

4. Mike Hart (1) 12
Michigan (8-2) RB
215 rushes, 1188 yds (5.5 yds/rush), 12 TDs; 7 catches, 43 yds
Previous rank: 5
Current SportsBetting.com odds: 10:1

Our voting generally is pretty consistent with the odds, but Vegas would've had Matt Ryan (4:1) in this spot. Hart has averaged 148.5 yards per game, but is hampered by the fact he missed two games, against Illinois and Minnesota. Like McFadden, he will have an opportunity to boost his candidacy in the last week of the season, in Michigan's game against top-ranked Ohio State. Even if Michigan wins, it seems like Hart would have to have a McFaddenesque performance to get back in the conversation.

Others receiving votes: Brian Brohm 3, Chase Daniel 3, Jake Long 1, Matt Ryan 1, Sam Bradford 1, Felix Jones 1, Mario Manningham 1, Kevin Smith 1

Photos: Double-A Zone, Newsday.