Why does Tim Tebow get the heisman over colt brennan, whos numbers are better?

Question

It's been quite obvious who has the better numbers. Yes, tebow has done something noone's ever done before, 51 + touchdowns. However, that's ONE record. how many records does colt brennan have or tie for? something like 27! And lets not forget, that out of Tebow's 51 touchdowns, like...THREE were more than 9 yards and that's it. I am unimpressed, and the heisman voting this year was a bitter letdown much like it always is. First person to convince me otherwise gets best answer. :D

Answer 1

I'll say possibly west coast bias (people on the east coast don't necessarily watch west coast games because they are usually on too late at night... after 12 EST), but even still I truly believe Tebow deserved the award over Brennan.

Florida has a very balanced passing/rushing attack. Tebow has plenty of incredible receivers to throw to and helped Caldwell break the Florida all-time receptions record. He has the second highest passing efficiency in the country, and in my opinion, trumps Brennan in the passing category. Let me explain. Tebow has a higher QB Rating than Brennan, which I could give a load of garbage about because the QB Rating alone tells you nothing. Last year, Andre Caldwell threw one pass. It was a touchdown and he "earned" a QB Rating of somewhere in the high 400s.

Now, you can say I'm picking and choosing these next stats, but total yards on the season and average number of yards per game only really tells you how the team operates its offense in most cases. What you need to look at is yards per attempt, something that is evenly distributable across all quarterbacks, because while not all quarterbacks may make as many attempts as other quarterbacks, all quarterbacks look to gain yards when they throw. Tim Tebow has an average of 9.9 yards per attempt, while Colt Brennan has 8.8.

The two are pretty even in most passing categories other than that. Brennan only has 9 more touchdowns, over 100 completions, 8 more interceptions, and only 1 more yard on his longest pass than Tebow in over 150 more attempts. Broken into ratios that are evenly comparable across quarterbacks, that is 1 touchdown every 16 passes more than Tebow, 1 interception every 18 passes more than Tebow, and 2 completions every 3 attempts more than Tebow. Pretty much, for every touchdown the guy throws he has an interception as well.

Now I'm not arguing Brennan isn't a great, almost NFL ready quarterback who can step into the pocket and deliver. I am just trying to show that maybe Tebow can pass more than some people think he can. Also, Brennan runs a different style offense, and offense I like to call 99% passing, or "pass-heavy". Again, looking at yards per attempt really separates the two quarterbacks because it is evenly distributable. Total yards only shows you that Hawaii truly does pass 99% of the time. I am sure Tebow's passing stats would be higher if Florida passed that much. But Florida utilizes the spread offense, where you really need to run as much as you throw and vice versa to open up holes in the defense.

I will say that conference has nothing to do with it. If he is in the WAC, he has WAC linemen and WAC receivers. If he was in the SEC, he would have SEC lineman and SEC receivers. It may be a small adjustment, but he would probably fare similarly as an individual. Maybe. I wish I could test that theory, it would be interesting to see.

Answer 2

I'm not trying to convince you of anything, but the reason Tebow got more recognition is that he put up his numbers in the country's toughest conference. No disrespect meant to Colt Brennan, but he couldn't put up numbers half as good if he was facing those SEC defenses every week.

I don't know who should have got it, really. I always find it a crapshoot, and there are very few years where the winner seems to be an obvious choice. I can't argue against Brennan, but I can see why Tebow got the award.

Answer 3

Paying attention to every media outlet/sports commentator, Brennan will come in 3rd possibly but most likely 4th. Tebow is favored to win but McFadden could edge him out because of the whole grade thing. Daniel has a better chance than Brennan because I think people WILL take into consideration the caliber of opponents and Hawaii did have the weakest schedule of all former 1A teams...

Answer 4

Because.
Not enough?
How about because they judge what the person does off the Field as well. Colt Brennan got kicked off the Colorado Team for Sexual Assault. Something frowned upon by civilized people.
Also Tebow only has one receiver to throw to which his why his passing stats are not that great. I am not a Florida fan, but he is an amazing athlete and great character on AND off the field.

Answer 5

Ty Detmer...Andre Ware...

I am tired of people saying that you have to be from a big school to win the award. Brennan led Hawaii to an undefeated season...period. He is playing Div 1 football and just because teams are hard to convince to play Hawaii in out of conference games shouldn't be a knock on him. The teams this year sucked, no doubt, but they still won. I have to admit that to gain the credibility of the analyst they have to go back to getting teams like Alabama, Mich St, and some Pac 10 team on their schedule.

I believe Brennan should have won it. People forget the Bowl game last year against Arizona State. He can play against the big teams. Heck, Washington beat California and lost to USC by 3. The Heisman has become a popularity contest and as seen in past, especially Florida QBs, the most talented rarely receives it.

Answer 6

Colt's opposition wasn't as good as Tebow's, and Colt's nubmers are a reflection of Hawaii's pass happy offense. Most of the D1 QB's out there would put up similar numbers if their teams threw the ball 50 or more times a game.

Answer 7

I liked Brennan over Tebow for the Heisman. But I guess playing for Hawaii has some negatives, the biggest negative being the lack of national spotlight. Hawaii got talked about alot during the year, but to tell you the truth, I never saw their games listed in my tv guide selection.

Answer 8

Try to look at it this way. What would Tebow have accomplished if Florida had played Hawaii's schedule and what would have Brennan accomplished had Hawaii played Florida's schedule.

It's all about the competition you are going up against. Brennan doesn't put up those numbers against the SEC. Tebow may have been a 40-40 guy in the WAC.

Answer 9

It's all about East Coast, and Florida factor.. cause the voters are more familiar with Florida.. I don't think most of them will stay up late past midnight to see Colt Brennan played out west..

Answer 10

Tebow is a more versatile QB and has played tougher teams than Hawaii did. Nobody takes Hawaii seriously.