COLLEGE SPORTS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

2003 HEISMAN WATCH

COLLEGESPORTS.COM FRONTRUNNER: LARRY FITZGERALD, WR, PITTSBURGH

HEISMAN HYPE: Move over Jason White. Oklahoma's shocking letdown to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game not only changed the landscape of the BCS, but shook up the Heisman race. While White appeared to be a lock heading into the game, he opened the door for others with his poor play, and Larry Fitzgerald is the primary benefactor. Sure, he stumbled in the biggest game of the season against Miami, but all of the finalists are flawed. Fitzgerald is clearly the best player in college football and was trailing White only because of his and the Sooners' consistent dominance of their opponents in what looked like sure national title run. Now all that has changed.

2003 STATISTICS
G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
12	87	1,595	18.3	22

THANKS FOR THE INVITATION

JASON WHITE, QB, OKLAHOMA

HEISMAN HYPE: See above. Two interceptions in an embarrassing 35-7 loss to the Wildcats left White sitting on the bench and put an end to the magic surrounding the Sooners and their field leader. While he is sure to be in the running on Saturday, he doesn't have that intangible over Fitzgerald that he did before Kansas State.

2003 STATISTICS
G	Comp	Att	Yds	TD	INT	Rush	Yds	TD
13	265	414	3,744	40	8	35	-104	1

CHRIS PERRY, RB, MICHIGAN

HEISMAN HYPE: Chris Perry was the driving force for Michigan's recovery after two early-season losses and played a huge role in the Wolverines' Big Ten championship victory over archrival Ohio State. But he was nowhere to be found in Michigan's early loss to Oregon, which kept the Wolverines out of the national title picture and doesn't bode well for Perry's chances to take home the hardware.

2003 STATISTICS
G	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	TD
12	315	1,589	5	17	42	366	2

ELI MANNING, QB, OLE MISS

HEISMAN HYPE: Manning missed his Heisman moment when he tripped over an offensive lineman on the final drive the Rebels' finale loss to LSU. But that's no knock against this great quarterback. He won't win the Heisman, but he will certainly be a high draft pick next spring.