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Friday, December 13, 2002
Heisman Watch: Brees looking Rosey
By Mike Diegnan
BCSfootball.com
With no major upsets to talk about, the biggest doings on this mid-October weekend were the performances of the quarterbacks. While Drew Brees continues to do his best Ron Dayne impersonation, an injury could derail Woody Dantzler's claim to the bronzed statue. Meanwhile, Michael Vick is going to test the theory -- are one or two highlight plays a game worthy of the award?
|  | | Purdue's Drew Brees threw for 274 yards Saturday, making him the Big Ten's career passing leader. |
1. Drew Brees, Purdue QB
at Wisconsin: 21-43-274, 2 TD; rush: 11-74, 1 TD
Season: 201-336-2443, 19 TD, 4 int.; rush: 74-423, 4 TD; rec: 1-5, 1 TD
This week: Ohio State
Comment: Game against Ohio State is the last major test keeping Purdue from a trip to Pasadena and Brees an award-winning trip to New York.
2. Eric Crouch, Nebraska QB
Baylor: 2-6-23; rush: 5-46, 1 TD
Season: 47-96-775, 10 TD, 5 int.; rush: 96-576, 10 TD
This week: at Oklahoma
Comment: Crouch can return to No. 1 with a game-winning performance at Oklahoma.
3. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech QB
at Syracuse: 6-11-75; rush: 16-9, 1 TD
Season: 71-118-943, 7 TD, 4 int.; rush: 86-550, 8 TD
This week: Pittsburgh
Comment: Vick's defense rescued the Hokies' hopes for a national title and any chance he has at the Heisman. But most people will only remember his TD in the closing minutes.
4. Chris Weinke, Florida St. QB
Virginia: 16-28-274, 2 TD, 1 int.
Season: 180-284-2784, 22 TD, 7 int.
This week: at N.C. State
Comment: Weinke's numbers are looking better each week. The next two weeks will determine another ACC title for the Seminoles: N.C. State and Clemson.
5. Josh Heupel, Oklahoma QB
Last week: Off
Season: 144-210-1894, 11 TD, 4 int.; rush: 33-26, 5 TD
This week: Nebraska
Comment: If Heupel can knock off Nebraska, is there any debate who should be walking to the podium on Dec. 9?
|  | | TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson, center, rushed for 119 yards on 27 carries, his lowest total of the season. |
6. LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU RB
at Tulsa: 27-119, 1 TD
Season: 195-1093, 11 TD
This week: Rice
Comment: Bad weather kept his numbers down. Also struggling to keep pace with the nation's top QBs.
7. Woody Dantzler, Clemson QB
at North Carolina: 4-7-68; rush: 8-22
Season: 95-154-1339, 8 TD, 4 int.; rush: 130-841, 12 TD
This week: Georgia Tech
Comment: Shot at 2,000-1,000 took a severe hit with a foot injury. Shot at the Heisman took an even bigger one.
WORTH A MENTION
Anthony Thomas, Mich. RB
Michigan State: 25-175, 2 TD
Season: 186-1121, 12 TD
This week: Off
Comment: The A-Train is not going to win the Heisman this season, but he's challenging Tomlinson for honors as the best running back in the country.
Jonathan Beasley, Kansas State QB
Texas Tech: 13-25-168, 1 TD, 2 int.; rush: 16-39, 1 TD
Season: 98-175-1738, 12 TD, 6 int.; rush: 88-303, 15 TD
This week: at Texas A&M
Comment: Beasley now 18-2 as K-State's starting QB.
Marques Tuiasosopo, Wash. QB
Cal: 19-35-225, 2 TD; rush: 13-25
Season: 117-215-1905, 14 TD, 5 int.; rush: 97-313, 14 TD
This week: Off
Comment: The nation's ugliest 6-1 team, but Tui keeps finding ways to win.
Damien Anderson, Northwestern RB
Last week: Off
Season: 158-1105, 14 TD
This week: at Minnesota
Comment: Anderson and the Wildcats still playing for a major bowl bid.
Mike Diegnan is the editor of BCSfootball.com.
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Purdue's Drew Brees throws 30 yards to A.T. Simpson for the touchdown.