LITTLE ROCK — Together, the trio could stop traffic just as easily as they could a blitzing defense. Whether it's Times Square, the Rose Bowl or Campus Corner inNorman, Okla., Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford cannot walk anywhere without becoming the focus of every father, child and linebacker around.
They have no one to blame but themselves. Never in the history of collegefootball have three bigger names gathered for one season. In Oklahoma's Bradford, Texas' McCoy and Florida's Tebow you have, in order, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, the 2008 runner-up and the 2007 winner.
"They both stand for a lot of good things that I feel this world needs to see," McCoy said of the other two. "Having the three of us come back this year is really good for college football."
You think?
If the Heisman is the most prestigious trophy in American sports, get set for perhaps the greatest trophy dash college football has ever seen. This is the first time a season will feature two returning Heisman winners. Add McCoy, and you have the biggest story in college football with 12 weekly chapters, with each quarterback leading a team that has a legitimate shot at the national championship.
The Associated Press and coaches' preseason polls had Florida on top, followed by Texas and Oklahoma. It's not hard to imagine a scenario in which Oklahoma and Texas meet in Dallas on Oct. 17 with the winner eventuallyplaying Florida on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif., for the national title.
Bradford vs. McCoy. Bradford vs. Tebow. McCoy vs. Tebow. Any combination is a call for more nachos and bean dip.
You can thank the trio's personal convictions as much as their arms for this year's trophy dash. This arms race was made possible simply because they gave up big coin for more college fame. Underclassmen have won the Heisman 18 times, 11 since the NFL opened the draft to them after the 1988 season.
Since then, the only Heisman winners who returned were Brigham Young's Ty Detmer in 1991, Oklahoma's Jason White in 2004 and Southern California's Matt Leinart in 2005. None had another Heisman winner sharing the national spotlight.
Then came Tebow, who won as a sophomore in 2007, and Bradford, who won as a sophomore last year. Tebow's Gators have won two of past three national titles, Bradford hasan NCAA freshmansophomore record of 86 touchdown passes and McCoy last year was the most accurate passer in NCAA history at .767.
However, only Bradford was considered a surefire high NFL Draft pick had he entered the draft lastspring. Today, McCoy is considered a top-10 pick for next spring. Tebow isn't rated as highly as an NFL prospect, but he might be the best of the bunch as a collegian.
Eight members of the Legends Football Coaches Association were asked by Sporting News which player they would choose to start a team. Tebow received six votes and Bradford and McCoy one each.
Former Air Force Coach Fisher De-Berry, one of the voters, said of Tebow: "All three have excellent leadership skills - but he's won a national championship and it's just the intangibles he brings."
Tebow, who threw for 2,746 yards and 30 touchdowns and ran for 673yards and 12 more scores a year ago, does not have the blessed life it might appear. He lost his three top wideouts, and his beloved offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, went to Mississippi State.
Still, Tebow has an edge merely because he has the best team,with 18 returning starters. Florida has a shot at being the first undefeated national champion in school history.
"We talk about it all the time," Tebow said at SEC media days. "Complacency, leadership, not resting on your laurels, not worry about what we did yesterday, but worry about how we can get better today."
The three traded notes and phone numbers while at Times Square in New York during the 2008 Heisman ceremony, but Bradford and McCoy have become even closer since. They worked the Manning Passing Academy, which apparently marked the first time a Sooner and a Longhorn became close in something besides a bar fight.
"From a fan's perspective, it's like, 'What in the world y'all doing? You can't be friends,"' McCoy said at Big 12 media days. "But for me and for him, we have a lot in common. We both went to a small [high] school. We both weren't recruited really heavy out of high school. We both went to our instate school that we love."
McCoy and Bradford's biggest challenge is matching last season's numbers. Besides hitting a percentage impressive for a pregame walkthrough, McCoy threw for 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns. His offensive line returns. His favorite receiver, roommate Jordan Shipley, is back.
"There are a lot of ways I can do better," McCoy said. "I can understand what we're trying to do offensively. I can be on the same page with [offensive] coach [Greg] Davis more. I can understand defenses better, studying with coach [Will] Muschamp, study the film we had last year."
Bradford's biggest worry is an offensive line that returns only one starter. That's the Sooners' lone weakness. Everyone else of note returns from the most prolific offense in the history of modern college football.
Bradford threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns to lead the nation in pass efficiency at 180.84. This is much the same offense that scored at least 60 points five games in a row. What can Bradford possibly do more besides, maybe, pooch kick?
"There are a lot of things," he said. "I see them every Monday when I come in and turn on the game film. I felt like for the most part I was in control, but there were still some things I tried to force and there were times I did hold onto the ball too long and take sacks."
No team has an easy path to the national title. Florida plays in the nation's toughest conference and must play at ninth-ranked LSU on Oct. 10.
Texas' biggest challenge outside of the Oklahoma game is at Oklahoma State on Oct. 31. The Sooners open against No. 24 BYU in Arlington, Texas, and visit Miami on Oct. 3.
That little statue is ready to step into stride.
Sports, Pages 22 on 08/29/2009