November key for QB Tebow’s Heisman hopes

The Orlando Sentinel

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Through eight games, Tim Tebow is having a mediocre season by his standards.

And to think a second Heisman Trophy could be a couple of big games away.

November once again gives Tebow a platform to become the first two-time winner since Archie Griffin — if he can unseat Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the clear-cut leader.

Tebow exploded for 20 total touchdowns in five games last November, good enough to earn the most first-place votes in the 2008 race only to lose to Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.

With Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida International and Florida State on the menu this month, Tebow might be feasting New York-deli style.

Chris Huston, director of the site HeismanPundit.com, said four of his 13 media voters currently have Tebow completely off their five-player ballots. Tebow fatigue likely is affecting his voting status, Huston said.

Tebow is 99-of-153 passing (64.7 percent) for 1,323 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions along with 551 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

“Last year it looked like he put the team on his back, and he can take a similar path this year by putting up the numbers,” Huston said. “He just has to make it clear that he deserves it with great play in the next four or five games.”