Link Time: Best of Ballhype

Hey guys, I thought I'd just kick today off with a couple of links I've been meaning to put up for some time.

- I'm not sure whether this is funny or just plain sad. Here's a comparison of Evel Knievel's injuries to Steve McNair's injuries.

- I finally decided I believe this. Kansas State forward Bill Walker had to face the call of nature in the closing seconds of a game ... so he peed in some towels.

- Brian Billick has a crush on Rodney Harrison.

- A very nice analysis of the Wizards roster - why they shouldn't sign anyone new.

- A little Heisman lore - includes the mystery of O.J. Simpson's trophy and the airport security mishaps with the famous bronze statue.

- The Detroit Pistons use Jason Maxiell for target practice.

And finally, Kevin Garnett on Knicks, Stephon Marbury and ... Craig Sager's suit?

Tim Tebow needs to win the Heisman

If you are a Heisman voter and you don't put Tim Tebow #1 on your ballot, you deserve to have your eyes taken out with a potato peeler.

I'm going to let the numbers do the talking:

• 68.5% completion percentage (2nd in the nation)
  
• 3132 passing yards
• 9.9 yards per passing attempt (leads the nation)
  
• 29 passing touchdowns (tied for 9th in the nation) vs. 6 interceptions
• 177.8 QB rating (2nd in the nation)
  
• 838 rushing yards
• 4.3 yards per carry
• 22 rushing touchdowns (SEC record, 3rd in the nation)
• 132 total scoring (tied for 4th in the nation)
  

His two main competitors, it seems, are Darren McFadden and Colt Brennan.

McFadden has 1725 rushing yards, 4th in the country, but has seven fewer rushing touchdowns than Tebow does - and TEBOW IS A QUARTERBACK. And for all the talk about how McFadden plays QB, he only has 11 passing attempts this year (albeit four of them were touchdowns).

Brennan might be better competition. His team is undefeated and his numbers seem to be as ridiculous as Tebow's - he's 3rd in the nation in QB rating, 3rd in touchdown passes, and 4th in passing yards. But he also didn't play a Top 25-ranked team all season. I feel bad using that against him because many good teams refuse to play the Warriors, particularly if Hawaii wants them to travel to the islands.

Sadly, two very deserving players didn't even get invited to the Heisman ceremony because they are under the radar: the first is Central Florida's Kevin Smith, who besides sharing his name with a terrific filmmaker, has rushed for almost 2,500 yards this season and might break Barry Sanders' single season record. He also has 29 touchdowns and is averaging almost 6 yards a carry. But I guess that's what happens when you play in Conference USA.

The second is Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, who leads the nation in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Also, he's a freshman. I repeat - a freshman is leading the nation in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. If he played for Notre Dame, Mel Kiper would be hyping him as an NFL prospect so much his hair might get messed up.

But, ultimately, Tim Tebow should win the Heisman for reasons beyond statistics.

Uhh... wow. Just wow.

Matt Ryan... really?

ESPN just released an updated Heisman Watch.

First of all, thank you at last for taking down Darren McFadden. McFadden, for those of you who haven't had the chance to see one of his electrifying highlight tapes, is a great runner. However, how can he be the most valuable player in all of college football when he isn't necessarily the best player on his own team... at his own position.

That being said, I wish the "experts" at ESPN would have a little foresight down the road.

Matt Ryan won't be the front runner for long. You don't need to be an expert to figure this out. Just take a look at their schedule...

That's right, Ryan has been able to brave the fearsome Bowling Green Falcons into the cupcakes of his schedule... wait, Virginia Tech? Maryland? Miami? What do all those teams have in common? Oh right, they're all in the top-35 passing defenses in D-I football! Not to mention Clemson, which is currently No. 1 in that category.

True contenders? I see Mike Hart and Andre Woodson as the most likely and most deserving candidates. And as my good friend Andy Grove, of Winston-Salem, points out, why not Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, who is on pace to shatter every significant single-season receiving record on the books, including a few by a guy named Jerry Rice. I know he's a system receiver, but honestly, so what? It's still amazing. And as far as Tim Tebow goes, how about chilling out, LSU playa haters. He's just in college.

My prediction for the Terps this weekend (and this may change):

Maryland 24, Virginia 13

Let's go Maryland!!!