For those closely following this year's Heisman Trophy race, here's a closer look at who I think are the top three candidates. Three things to keep in mind: 1.) This will be determined on the field. You won't win it based on one game. Take down the other contenders head-to-head, and you deserve to win it. 2.) You could take these three, and flip-flop their places and each has an excellent argument to why they're deserving. 3.) Take in the entire body of work, not just the eye-popping statistics.
With that in mind, here are my top three:
1.) QB Sam Bradford, Soph., Oklahoma
Season stats: 202-of-297 (68 percent), 6 interceptions, 3,086 yards, 34 touchdowns
Where he ranks: third nationally and second in the Big 12 in passing efficiency (189.03), third nationally in passing yards per game (342.89), second nationally in total passing yards.
FIVE STARS
* Leads an offense that is first in the Big 12 in scoring (49.8 points per game) and second in total offense (538.3 ypg).
* In the win over Kansas, set an OU school record for passing yards in a game with 468 (previously set by Josh Heupel in 1999 with 429).
* Has thrown five touchdowns in a game twice (Cincinnati, Texas). In the Sooners' loss to the Longhorns, he was 28-of-39, with 2 INTs, for 387 yards.
* Holds the NCAA record touchdown passes in freshman and sophomore years combined with 70 (Rex Grossman had 55).
* Completed 19-of-34 passes for 411 yards against TCU, which has had one of the nation's top defenses all season.
2.) QB Graham Harrell, Sr., Texas Tech
Season stats: 292-of-413 (70.7 percent), 5 INT, 3,621 yards, 30 TDs
Where he ranks: Eighth nationally in passing efficiency and fifth in the Big 12 (165.90); leads the nation in passing yards/game (402.33), passing yards and total offense (402.0).
FIVE STARS
* Hit Michael Crabtree on a 28-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to beat then No.1 Texas 39-33 on Saturday.
* Key part of an offense that is first in the Big 12 in passing (424.6 ypg) and first in total offense (559.3).
* In Big 12 play, has completed 68 percent or more of his passes, has three games with over 400 yards passing and only one game with an interception (two against Texas A&M).
* Set the Big 12 career record for pass completions (1,253), surpassing former Red Raider Kliff Kingsbury, who had 1,231 (1999-2002).
* Moved into third Saturday in NCAA career passing yards list (14,303), surpassing Hawaii's Colt Brennan (14,193).
3.) QB Colt McCoy, Jr., Texas
Season stats: 93 carries, 428 yards rushing (4.6 avg.), 7 TDs; 218-276 (79.0 percent), 5 INTs, 2,579 yards, 23 TDs
Where he ranks: Is fourth nationally in passing efficiency and third in the Big 12 (181.35); 10th nationally in passing yards per game and fifth in the conference (286.56); 10th nationally in passing yards.
FIVE STARS
* Has two or more touchdown passes in all but one game (just one touchdown pass against Oklahoma).
* Two 300-yard passing games in the Big 12
* Three straight wins over Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State
* With 294 passing yards, is now first on UT's all-time passing list with 8,452 yards, surpassing Major Applewhite's mark of 8,353 (1998-2001).
* Against Texas Tech, hit Malcolm Williams on a 91-yard touchdown pass, the longest pass play of his career.
-Trae Thompson
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