ShareThisBy
Scripps Howard News Service
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Another week, another change at the top of the weekly Scripps Howard Heisman Trophy poll. For the seventh consecutive week, there is a new leader, as Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the consensus No. 1 last week, tumbled out of the top spot and was replaced by Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.
A former leader himself, Ryan threw a touchdown pass in the final seconds to beat Virginia Tech, 14-10, last Thursday night. The senior is but one point ahead of second-place Oregon QB Dennis Dixon. Tebow fell to third after the Gators were upset, 42-30, by Georgia Saturday in Jacksonville.
Compiled by The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, the Scripps poll is in its 21st year and is the longest-running weekly Heisman poll in the country. The final poll, taken in December, correctly has predicted the Heisman winner 17 of the previous 20 seasons.
There are 10 voters, all college football writers and two from each voting region, who vote for five players each week. The tabulations are made on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with first place receiving five points, second four, etc. First-place votes are in parentheses.
This week's poll, with statistics from last week:
Name, Position, School, Last Week, Points.
1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, 25-for-52, 285 yards passing, 2 TDs, 43 (5).
2. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon, 16-for-25, 157 passing; 76 yards rushing, TD run, 42 (3).
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida, 14-for-22, 236 yards, TD, 2 TD runs, 27 (2).
4. Pat White, QB, West Va.,10-for-16, 144 yards; 156 rushing, TD run, 9.
Others receiving votes: Todd Boeckman (QB, Ohio State) 6; Chase Daniel (QB, Missouri) 4; Mike Hart (RB, Michigan) 4; Colt Brennan (QB, Hawaii) 3; James Laurinaitis (LB, Ohio State) 3; Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia) 3; Andre Woodson (QB, Kentucky) 2; Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville) 1; Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) 1; Matt Forte (RB, Tulane) 1; Ray Rice (RB, Rutgers) 1.
Voters: Wendell Barnhouse (Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Kirk Bohls (Austin American-Statesman); Dennis Dodd (CBSSports.com); Vahe Gregorian (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Mike Griffith (The Knoxville News-Sentinel); Randy Holtz (Rocky Mountain News); Michael Lewis (The Salt Lake Tribune); Tom Luicci (The (Newark) Star-Ledger); Dana O'Neil (The Philadelphia Daily News); and John Rohde (The Oklahoman).
