Feature article on Colt's Heisman Chances

http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/bulldogs/story/184945.html


About how he doesn't think that Colt will be a finalist for the Heisman, St. Louise Post-Dispatch beat writer Graham Watson (a Heisman voter) said:
"Short of the people in front of him really tanking ... it's really hard to envision him in the top three." (Fresno Bee)


About how he has a chance if they go undefeated and his numbers are good, Colt said:
"I've just got to keep winning. If I lose one game everything's over with. ... We only win when I put up good numbers. So if we are 12-0, I'd assume my numbers would be really good by the end of the year and I'd assume by then that I may have something to say to argue myself to New York." (FB)

FB Note: "Kirk Bohls, a columnist for the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman and Heisman voter for more than 25 years, said Brennan's chances are slim. Several factors explain why voters lack confidence in him: limited television exposure as he plays home games too late at night for Eastern and Central time zone voters, lackluster performances, and a pass-happy offense. What could hurt the most, though, is the Warriors' schedule. "


About how UH's weak schedule hurts him in the Heisman race, SI senior writer (and Heisman voter) Stewart Mandel said:
"What's hurt him and the team [in the polls] the most is the schedule. There's a tremendous backlash against that team. Whereas people rooted for Boise State to get to a BCS game last season, there's a universal resentment [against Hawaii] because of their ridiculously weak schedule ... that feeling rubs off on Colt Brennan as well." (FB)

FB Note: "Mandel said he takes into consideration the Warriors attempts to play better competition than the two Division I-AA opponents, but said Brennan and the team have to be judged on who they play, not who they tried to play."


Admitting that he's at a disadvantage in the Heisman race due to their schedule as compared to Oregon's Dennis Dixon or Florida's Tim Tebow, Colt said:
"What they do, they do against some of the best football teams in America. Unfortunately, I don't have that opportunity." (FB)

FB Note: "Voters interviewed questioned the number of interceptions Brennan's thrown (11) compared to that of Dixon (3) and Tebow (4). Brennan threw five interceptions against Idaho and four against San Jose State (3-6) in an overtime game that was nationally televised. Some voters count the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense against him. In seven games played, Brennan has completed more passes than Tebow has attempted and nearly as many as Dixon has attempted."


Not impressed with Colt's numbers due to UH's offense, Oakland Tribune (and Heisman voter) Monte Poole said:
"I'm not going to say the system makes him, but it would be interesting to see how he'd do in a system that was less quarterback friendly and not designed for a QB to have huge numbers." (FB)


FB Note: "The only game he did not play in this season was against Charleston Southern, when he had an injured ankle. In that game backup Tyler Graunke was 22 of 36 for 285 yards, two interceptions and three touchdowns. Graunke's numbers didn't sit well with Watson."


Pointing to Tyler's success as an indication about how UH's system is responsible for much of Colt's success, Watson said:
"When the backup comes in and does the same thing you did, that speaks to the system more than it does the quarterback." (FB)


About how Colt has a chance because of the struggles by the other Heisman candidates, ESPN's Mark Schlabach said:
"If he goes out and throws for 550 yards and six touchdowns against Boise State, he's got a possibility. Heisman trophy candidates are dropping like flies." (FB)