3. Tim Tebow

Florida, quarterback, Jr.

Previous ranking: 3rd

2007 Heisman voting: 1,957 votes (1st).

2008 stats: 10 games, 139 of 214 passing for 1,913 yards, 19 TDs, 2 INTs; 119 rushes for 393 yards, 11 TDs.

2007 stats: 13 games, 234 of 350 passing for 3,286 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs; 210 rushes for 895 yards, 23 TDs.

Last game (56-6 victory vs. South Carolina, 11/15): Tebow helped moved the Gators another important step to a possible berth in the BCS Championship Game, as Florida handed Steve Spurrier his worst loss as a college head coach.

He completed 13-of-20 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns without a pick, added a rushing TD and received support with touchdowns from his special teams and defense. Percy Harvin also ran it eight times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Tebow now has 15 touchdown passes and no picks in his last four games versus ranked teams, the kind of numbers you expect from a serious Heisman contender.

After the upset loss to Ole Miss, Tebow promised this would be a far different Gators team the rest of the year. Thus far he as made good on his promise, and then some, as Florida has outscored its opponents 299-63 and has won each game by at least 28 points.

If the Gators can maintain their high level of play and topple top-ranked Alabama in the BCS title game, it may be impossible to deny Tebow a second straight Heisman.

Next game (vs. The Citadel, 11/22): Coach Urban Meyer might be wise to give Tebow the day off to protect his health, for that is the only danger the Gators face heading into this matchup against this FCS opponent.

The Citidal enters this game with a 4-7 record and losers of six of its previous seven. Its defense ranks 75th out of 118 teams in FCS. Frankly, it shouldn’t even be allowed on the same field as the Gators.

Tebow might as well start prepping for the Nov. 29th game at Florida State, for this game just won’t matter. If the Gators are to reach the BCS title game they must have a healthy Tebow. There is absolutely no need for them to risk any sort of freak injury here. They should sit him down and let the reserves have their day in the sun.

Schedule/results: vs. Hawaii (W, 56-10); vs. Miami, Fla. (W, 26-3); at Tennessee (W, 30-6); vs. Mississippi (L, 31-30); at Arkansas (W, 10/4); vs. LSU (W, 51-21); vs. Kentucky (W, 63-5); vs. Georgia at Jacksonville, Fla. (W, 49-10); at Vanderbilt (W, 42-14); vs. South Carolina (W, 56-6); vs. The Citadel (11/22); at Florida State (11/29).

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