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Heisman Watch 2000

Heisman favorites for the 2000 season

RANK--NAME--POSISION--TEAM

1. Michael Vick QB Virginia Tech
2. Drew Brees QB Purdue
3. Chris Weinke QB Florida State
4. Marques Tuiasosopo QB Washington
5. Ricky Williams RB Texas Tech
6. LaMont Jordan RB Maryland
7. David Allen RB/KR Kansas State
8. Eric Crouch QB Nebraska
9. Santana Moss WR Miami, FL
10. Kurt Kittner QB Illinois
11. Quincy Carter QB Georgia
12. Deuce McAllister RB Mississippi
13. LaDainian Tomlinson RB Texas Christian

Moving up: Josh Heupel, QB, Oklahoma
Moving down: Chris Weinke, QB, Florida State

FAVORITE

Michael Vick, Virginia Tech (So., 6-1, 214)
Vick committed three turnovers in an uneven effort against Temple, but the Heisman is not won or lost in games against Temple. He'll play in bigger games -- and he has the national stage this week in a Thursday night game against West Virginia. For now, forget about his middlin' stats. Vick remains the favorite because of unparalleled highlight-producing ability and his team's high national ranking.
  Passing Rushing

Comp. Att Yds. TD INT Att. Yds. Avg. TD
vs. Temple 14 28 162 1 2 18 55 3.1 1
Season 45 89 635 5 4 59 484 8.2 7

CONTENDERS

Drew Brees, Purdue (Sr., 6-1, 206)
Purdue was down 21-3 to Michigan, on the verge of losing its third game of the season, and Brees' Heisman hopes were fading fast. Heisman voters don't like guys whose team can't win the big one -- and that's a tag that has followed Brees around. Not anymore. Brees was on target as the Boilers rallied to knock off Michigan, moving back into the national rankings and the Big Ten race.
  Passing Rushing

Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT Att. Yds. Avg. TD
vs. Michigan 32 44 286 2 1 10 80 8.0 0
Season 158 253 1,930 12 3 47 293 6.2 3
Eric Crouch, Nebraska (Jr., 6-1, 206)
The top-ranked Cornhuskers haven't been overly impressive, but Crouch keeps showing his true grit and was there in the clutch vs. Notre Dame and last week against Iowa State when Nebraska trailed at halftime. He's the unquestioned leader on the best team in the land, so he stays high on the Heisman list … until (or when) the 'Huskers lose. Next big test: Oct. 28 at Oklahoma.
  Passing Rushing

Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT Att. Yds. Avg. TD
at Iowa State 7 17 164 0 1 19 138 7.3 1
Season 39 78 666 8 4 79 478 6.1 8
Woodrow Dantzler, Clemson (Jr., 5-11, 200)
Dantzler's Heisman campaign is in full swing -- he's among the national leaders in passing and rushing, and unbeaten Clemson has the look of a national title contender. Against North Carolina State, Dantzler became the first Clemson player to rush for at least 100 yards and account for 300 yards of total offense in four straight games.
  Passing Rushing

Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT Att. Yds. Avg. TD
vs. N.C. State 18 30 220 1 2 25 103 4.1 2
Season 81 128 1085 9 3 105 732 6.9 10
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU (Sr., 5-11, 220)
Playing Hawaii was the perfect opportunity for Tomlinson to have a huge day -- and he took it. Tomlinson had a school-record 49 carries, rushing for 294 yards (the most in college football this season) and four touchdowns. He's the nation's leading rusher (194.8 yards per game) and the guy who's most likely to get a top Heisman vote if the quarterbacks on this list falter.
  Rushing Receiving

Att. Yds. Avg. TD Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
vs. Hawaii 49 294 6.0 4 1 6 6.0 0
Season 168 974 5.8 12 5 23 4.6 0

LONGSHOTS

Anthony Thomas, Michigan (Sr., 6-2, 225)
After Michigan's loss to Purdue, Thomas barely keeps his spot on the list, if only as a representative for the Big Four of Big Ten running backs. Thomas is seventh in the nation in running (141.83 yards per game), but is only fourth in his own league, trailing Wisconsin's Michael Bennett, Northwestern's Damien Anderson and Michigan State's T.J. Duckett. Why keep Thomas on the list? Well, he's a senior and Michigan has more historical clout.
  Att. Yds. Avg. TD Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
at Purdue 21 120 5.7 1 3 24 8.0 0
Season 146 851 5.8 7 7 77 11.0 0
Chris Weinke, Florida State (Sr., 6-5, 225)
Weinke threw for nearly 500 yards against Miami and led what looked like would be the game-winning drive in the final minute. But he also threw two interceptions -- both at about the Miami 2 -- and had a pass broken up at the goal line. Oops. Weinke is still fourth nationally in passing efficiency, but his Heisman campaign was wrapped around his reputation as a winner … and unless FSU can claw back into the national title game, Weinke's name won't be appearing on the top spot on the ballot.
  Passing Rushing

Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT Att. Yds. Avg. TD
at Miami 29 58 496 3 2 0 0 0 0
Season 127 212 1,974 14 5 21 -65 -3.1 1

WORTHY OF MENTION

Damien Anderson, RB, Northwestern (Jr., 5-11, 208)
Jonathan Beasley, QB, Kansas State (Sr., 6-1, 215)
T.J. Duckett, RB, Michigan State (So., 6-2, 255)
Josh Heupel, QB, Oklahoma (Sr., 6-2, 214)
Rudi Johnson, RB, Auburn (Jr., 5-10, 218)
Deuce McAllister, RB, Mississippi (Sr., 6-1, 221)
Jamal Reynolds , DE, Florida State (Sr., 6-4, 254)
Ken Simonton, RB, Oregon State (Jr., 5-8, 194)