Heismanpundit

The 2009 Heismanpundit.com Preseason Heisman Poll (first place votes in parantheses)
 
1. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida–58 (7)
2. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas–56 (5)
3. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma–41 (1)
4. Jahvid Best, RB, California–20
5. Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss–6
6. Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State–4
7. Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee–3
8. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State–2
    Dez Bryant, WR/KR, Oklahoma State–2
10. Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Oregon–1
    Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State–1
    Taylor Mays, DB, USC–1

About the poll
The HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll is made up of 13 Heisman voters from across the country. They vote for five players each week. Tabulations are made on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with five points awarded for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on.  Last year’s Heismanpundit poll was the most accurate in the country, picking five of the top six finishers in the Heisman vote.

Members of the panel include: Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, Teddy Greenstein and Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune, Olin Buchanan and Tom Dienhart of Rivals.com, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman, Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com, J.B. Morris of ESPN the Magazine, Austin Murphy, B.J. Schecter and Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated, plus Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News.

Chris Huston, owner of Heismanpundit.com, coordinates and also votes in the weekly poll. 

HP’s Thoughts
That Colt McCoy is neck-and-neck with a pop culture phenomenon like Tim Tebow is a testament to the respect the Texas quarterback has built up with Heisman voters.  A second Heisman is no gimme for the Florida quarterback and, as good as last season’s trophy quest was, this one could be a classic.  If any of the top quarterbacks falter, keep an eye on Jahvid Best out West.
 
From a Voter
“Tim Tebow was remarkable in the second half of last season, and that will continue. He’s already proven his ability and as a former Heisman recipient and the quarterback of the nation’s top-ranked team he has to be given all consideration.  Colt McCoy looks like Tebow’s chief rival. He might have won last year if not for a dropped interception against Texas Tech.  Don’t count out California’s Jahvid Best, who’d be an obvious early pick in just about any other year.” — Olin Buchanon, Rivals.com

Heisman Game of the Week
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 20 Brigham Young.  The reigning Heisman winner begins the defense of his crown at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.  Sam Bradford will have a bunch of new linemen protecting him and some new receivers catching his passes.  One wonders if he will pick up where he left off last year or if the Cougars can get him out of his comfort zone.  BYU quarterback Max Hall has a chance to burst onto the Heisman scene, just like Ty Detmer did in a win against top-ranked Miami almost 19 years ago to the day.

Player to Watch
Jahvid Best, California.  Where did all the great running backs go?  The Age of the Spread has made the quarterback position preeminent in the Heisman race, with Reggie Bush the only ball carrier to break through in this decade.  If any back can dazzle the voters and shift attention away from the top quarterbacks, it might be the speedy Best (10.31 100m).  First he’ll have to get by the Maryland defense on Saturday.

This Week in Heisman History
Doug Flutie began his road to the 1984 Heisman as he went 19 of 34 for 254 yards and accounted for three touchdowns to lead Boston College to a 38-31 win over Alabama.  Flutie brought the Eagles back from a 31-14 deficit despite playing the last 20 minutes with an injured left shoulder.