Keenum has all a Heisman winner needs

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What is needed to win the Heisman Trophy?

Gaudy statistics, an impressive won-loss record, clutch performances and excelling against high-caliber competition are the typical criteria.

Houston quarterback Case Keenum has all that.

Gaudy stats? Check. He leads the nation with 3,293 passing yards and has thrown 25 touchdown passes.
Impressive won-loss record? Check. Keenum has led the Cougars to a 7-1 mark.
Clutch performances? Check. Last week, Keenum led Houston on a five-play 77-yard drive in the final minute for a 50-43 victory over Southern Miss. Earlier this season, he guided them on a last-minute game-winning drive against Texas Tech.
Excelling against high-caliber competition? Check.

The perception is that Keenum’s accomplishments are enhanced by playing against inferior competition in Conference USA. That criticism does have some merit: Eight of the 12 Conference USA teams rank 84th or worse nationally in total defense, and none is ranked higher than 39th.

But a closer look at Houston’s schedule adds credibility to Keenum’s campaign. He has led the Cougars to wins over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech of the Big 12 and Mississippi State of the SEC. Those teams are a combined 16-10, and Oklahoma State is ranked 19th in the BCS.

Still not convinced?

Consider this: Few would balk if Texas quarterback Colt McCoy or Florida’s Tim Tebow were rated among the top Heisman contenders - but Keenum has outplayed both against common opponents.

Keenum threw for 1,337 yards and nine touchdowns in games against Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and UTEP. McCoy passed for 662 yards and five TDs against the same trio. And Keenum passed for 434 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions, against Mississippi State. Tebow passed for 127 yards and no touchdowns and had two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Bulldogs.

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.

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