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Kevin Smith. Yes, Kevin Smith.
Given that the Heisman race already has taken the low road, why not more controversy? Central Florida's magnificent tailback is on my Heisman ballot.
Florida's Tim Tebow is a "system" quarterback, according to Hawaii coach June Jones. I missed the system that has yet to develop another 20-rushing, 20-passing touchdown QB, but that's another story.
Might as well make it a full-fledged argument. I liked Smith because he did what Jones' quarterback did last season: Shatter records. Colt Brennan threw 58 touchdown passes last season and couldn't get a trip to New York.
Smith is now the No. 2 single-season rusher in history (2,448 yards). The junior needs 181 yards in the bowl game to surpass one Barry Sanders on the all-time list.
| Smallest Margin of Victory | ||
| Year | Winner (Pts) Runner-up (Pts) | Diff. |
| 1985 | Bo Jackson, Auburn (1,509) Chuck Long, Iowa (1,464) | 45 |
| 1961 | Ernie Davis, Syracuse (824) Bob Ferguson, Ohio State (771) | 53 |
| 1953 | John Lattner, Notre Dame (1,850) Paul Giel, Minnesota (1,794) | 56 |
| 2001 | Eric Crouch, Nebraska (770) Rex Grossman, Florida (708) | 62 |
| 1989 | Andre Ware, Houston (1,073) Anthony Thompson, Indiana (1,003) | 70 |
| 1956 | Paul Hornung, Notre Dame (1,066) John Majors, Tennessee (994) | 72 |
Don't think his season was manufactured against Conference USA competition. Well, most of it was, but in three games against BCS-conference teams, Smith averaged 140.3 yards. Against North Carolina State, he had 217 yards; against Texas, 149.
Wednesday being the deadline for Heisman ballots and this being my life, as usual I waited until the last minute.
Well, not the last minute, but I did wait until all the game were played before filling out my ballot. That's how Smith edged his way onto my ballot. A 284-yard, four-touchdown performance made him, to me, one of the best players in the country.
The rest of the guys you probably know ...
My 2007 ballot
1. Tim Tebow, sophomore, Florida: Being a sophomore shouldn't matter. My mind was pretty well made up on Oct. 6. Tebow was the best player on the field in a 28-24 loss to LSU.
Critics downgrade him for his "short" TD runs. That's the point. Florida doesn't have anyone else to make those "short" TD runs. What other offense could rely on its quarterback for 22 touchdown runs?
2. Chase Daniel, junior, Missouri: For most of the season Daniel ran the most explosive offense in the country. Only Oklahoma was able to hold the Tigers to less than 31 points.
In a year when the spread offense took over, Daniel was the most efficient general in the army. Third in completions, fifth in touchdowns, Daniel led the Tigers to their best season in 38 years.
3. Kevin Smith, junior, Central Florida: Five games of more than 200 yards. One of more than 300. Averaged 5.26 yards per carry against BCS-conference schools.
There is a reason a George O'Leary won 10 games, the Conference USA title and the admiration of his peers. O'Leary can recruit and this kid can run.
