Sam Bradford vs. Graham Harrell: Heisman at stake on Saturday
By Jake Trotter
Comments 
21
Published: November 19, 2008
NORMAN — On Nov. 9, 1940, Tom Harmon of Michigan collided with George Franck of Minnesota in a battle on unbeatens and Heisman front-runners.
OU’s Sam Bradford is looking to make up some ground.Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Multimedia
More Info
Heisman moments
Eric Crouch reeling in a reverse TD pass, Doug Flutie connecting on a Hail Mary, Desmond Howard striking the Heisman pose after a punt return score.
Heisman moments, memorable plays that factored in to those players winning the Heisman Trophy.
Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell already had his Heisman moment, a 28-yard TD strike to Michael Crabtree that beat Texas with time expiring.
While putting up ridiculous numbers (3,406 yards, 38 TDs) OU QB Sam Bradford is yet to have his Heisman moment, beating up on substandard competition over the last month.
But Saturday, in front of a national television audience, he’ll have his chance.
By Jake Trotter
The case against Sam Bradford
Sure, Bradford has torched the likes of Nebraska and Texas A&M. But the Sooners don’t have a win over a Big 12 team currently ranked in the Top 25.
If Bradford loses to Tech, there’ll be no justification for voting him ahead of Colt McCoy or Graham Harrell, who will have both defeated him.
The case against Graham Harrell
If Tech can’t beat OU, Harrell will have to fight the label of "system QB.”
Because Bradford and Florida’s Tim Tebow are surging, Harrell, the only contender from a non-traditional powerhouse, can’t stumble and keep pace.
By Jake Trotter
What they’re saying about Heisman contenders Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell: "If Oklahoma beats Texas Tech and Oklahoma State and wins the Big 12 South Division tiebreaker — and eventually the Big 12 championship — no one will have a better resume than Bradford. He’ll likely have 50-plus touchdowns, and his team will be playing in the national title game.” — Matt Hayes, The Sporting News "It’s one thing for Graham Harrell to put up video game numbers for an 8-4 team bound for a second-tier bowl. It’s quite another for him to do it against top-10 teams in a legitimate quest for the national title. I keep waiting for Harrell and Co. to implode under pressure, as in years past, and it’s not happening.” — Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated Compiled by Jake Trotter Other games that had Heisman implications Heading into Saturday’s showdown, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell and OU’s Sam Bradford are two of the front-runnersfor the Heisman. Only 11 times in college football have top-three Heisman finishers met on the field in November. Heading into Saturday’s showdown, Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and OU's Sam Bradford are two of the frontrunners for the Heisman. Only 11 times in college football history have top three Heisman finishers met on the field in November.
Reasons why
The case for Sam Bradford Against Kansas State, Bradford threw for 255 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. He also ran for a score. And that, supposedly, was his worst game of the year. Bradford has been the epitome of consistency, having thrown for at least 300 yards in all but two games. Bradford leads the nation in TD passes and is second in passing efficiency. The case for Graham Harrell Not only did Harrell lead his team to the biggest win in school history (a 39-33 win over then-No. 1 Texas) he has the Red Raiders undefeated and in the hunt for a national title berth. Harrell also has put up patented big numbers for a Tech QB, having thrown for 4,077 yards and 36 TDs to just five interceptions. By Jake TrotterWhat they’re saying about Heisman contenders Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell: "If Oklahoma beats Texas Tech and Oklahoma State and wins the Big 12 South Division tiebreaker — and eventually the Big 12 championship — no one will have a better resume than Bradford. He’ll likely have 50-plus touchdowns, and his team will be playing in the national title game.” — Matt Hayes, The Sporting News "It’s one thing for Graham Harrell to put up video game numbers for an 8-4 team bound for a second-tier bowl. It’s quite another for him to do it against top-10 teams in a legitimate quest for the national title. I keep waiting for Harrell and Co. to implode under pressure, as in years past, and it’s not happening.” — Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated Compiled by Jake Trotter Other games that had Heisman implications Heading into Saturday’s showdown, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell and OU’s Sam Bradford are two of the front-runnersfor the Heisman. Only 11 times in college football have top-three Heisman finishers met on the field in November. Heading into Saturday’s showdown, Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and OU's Sam Bradford are two of the frontrunners for the Heisman. Only 11 times in college football history have top three Heisman finishers met on the field in November.
The list:
Nov.16, 1940: Minnesota 7, Michigan 6 1: Tom Harmon, HB ,Michigan 3: George Franck, HB, Minnesota Nov. 13, 1943: Notre Dame 25, Northwestern 6 1: Angelo Bertelli, QB, Notre Dame 3: Otto Graham, QB, Northwestern Nov. 9, 1946: Army 0, Notre Dame 0 1: Glenn Davis, HB, Army 3: Johnny Lujack, HB, Notre Dame Nov. 12, 1949: Notre Dame 42, North Carolina 6 1: Leon Hart, E, Notre Dame 2: Charlie Justice, RB, North Carolina Nov. 24, 1951: Tennessee 28, Kentucky 0 2: Hank Lauricella, RB, Tennessee 3: Babe Parilli, QB, Kentucky Nov. 18, 1967: USC 21, UCLA 20 1: Gary Beban, QB, UCLA 2: O.J. Simpson, RB, USC Nov. 30, 1968: USC 21, Notre Dame 21 1: O.J. Simpson, RB, USC 3: Terry Hanratty, QB, Notre Dame Nov. 15, 1969: Ohio State 42, Purdue 14 2: Mike Phipps, QB, Purdue 3: Rex Kern, QB, Ohio State Nov. 23, 1972: OU 17, Nebraska 14 1: Johnny Rodgers, WR, Nebraska 2: Greg Pruitt, RB, OU 3: Rich Glover, NG, Nebraska Nov. 1, 1975: California 28, USC 14 2: Chuck Muncie, TB, California 3: Ricky Bell, TB, USC Nov. 19, 1988: USC 31, UCLA 22 2: Rodney Peete, QB, USC 3: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA By Berry Tramel and Jake TrotterNewsOK Related Articles
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
Graham will have the edge. If O.U. wins out Sam will have the edge. I
don't see O.U. winning out due to their poor defense, it's getting bad
air time all over ESPN, and it's true. O.U. will have to score last
to beat T.T. When they hired Stoops with his defensive reputation I
never thought I'd see a game where O.U. would have to outscore their
opponent to beat them because their defense was so "sorry" they
couldn't stop them, kind of like when Tubbs was basketball coach.
Know we have "Bobby" ball.
Hope it's not the case but it's just too easy for him at the college level
him excited about his own team. when asked questions about how they are playing today since the texas loss, are they better, his answer is
so mundance as a coach who appears to never want to built up his teams confidence. he surely isn't a barry switzer, bob is vanilla compared to rainbow switzer and switzer won three championships with
bravado and his team mirrored his personallity. no complacency and won, won and won. barry was great at inspiring his team, bob stoops really dulls the sharp edge of his team. on the one hand, bob complains that ou homefield has no advantage for his team, but he doesn't inspire me as a fan of ou, to get excited about this team, bob get excited and show the team that you know that they are better than tech, tell them that, believe in them, state it, and live it! if you win you knew that you were the better team, if you were to lose, at least you went down with your team and had faith in them. don't be afraid to say ou has a great team now and we are pumped and ready for the challenge, they are coming to our house and we don't lose at our house! stated with conviction bob and don't dance around your own team with weak losing words. doane
The Raiders went down to Norman....
The Red Raiders went down to Norman, they were looking for a show to steal.
They were in a bind 'cause they were way behind: they were willin' to make a deal.
When they came across this young man throwin' a football and throwin' it hot.
And Harrell jumped up on a hickory stump and said: "Boy let me tell you what:
"I bet you didn't know, but I'm a football player too.
"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.
"Now you play a pretty good gridion, boy, but give the Red Raiders their due:
"I bet a football of crystal against your soul, 'cause I think we’re better than you."
The boy said: "My name's Bradford and it might be a sin,
"But I'll take your bet, you’re gonna regret, 'cause we’re the best that's ever been."
Bradford warm up your arm and throw that football far.
'Cause hells broke loose in Norman and the Red Raiders deal it hard.
And if you win you get this shiny football made of cyrstal.
But if you lose, the Raiders take your soul.
The Raider pulled back his arm and he said: "I'll start this show."
And fire flew from his fingertips as he touched the pigskin ball.
And he threw the ball across the field and it made an evil hiss.
Then a band of thieves joined in and it sounded something like this.
When the Red Raider finished, Bradford said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son.
"But if you'll sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how it’s done."
Fire on the mountain, run boys, run.
Red Raider’s in the house of the risin' sun.
Longhorn in the Cotton Bowl, pickin' out dough.
"Mizzu, does your Tiger bite?"
"No, child, no."
The Red Raider bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat.
He laid that crystal football on the ground at Bradford’s feet.
Bradford said: "Red Raider just come on back if you ever want to try again.
"I told you once, you son of a *****, the Sooners are the best that's ever been."