I'm sure this is not the way Tim Tebow wanted to win the Heisman Trophy.
But a potentially serious knee injury to Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon on Thursday night has nudged Tebow back into the No. 1 spot on the Heisman list with less than a month left before the Dec. 8 announcement.
Without being touched by Arizona's defense, Dixon's left knee buckled when he took an awkward step in the first quarter.
He dropped to the ground in pain and missed the rest of the game.
Arizona upset No. 2 Oregon 34-24, knocking the Ducks out of the national championship chase and likely knocking Dixon out of the Heisman Trophy race.
Non-contact leg injuries are usually very serious.
I would not be surprised if this injury keeps Dixon out at least another game.
Before the injury, Dixon completed just five of eight passes for 62 yards and an interception.
He did run for a 39-yard touchdown, but only carried twice for 34 yards in all.
After Tebow makes mince meat of Florida Atlantic's defense on Saturday, he will have officially supplanted Dixon as the Heisman front-runner.
Tebow must fend off three Big 12 quarterbacks, all of which have the potential to rise up the Heisman hopefuls list if they can lead their teams to the national championship game.
Oklahoma freshman Sam Bradford leads the country in passing efficiency - Tebow ranks second - and has five more passing touchdowns than Tebow.
Missouri junior Chase Daniel, a popular pick for third place behind Dixon and Tebow coming into this week, has thrown for 3,306 yards, nearly 800 more than Tebow and Bradford.
Kansas junior Todd Reesing has 26 touchdowns versus just four interceptions, both slightly better than Tebow.
But, as we all know, Tebow has the legs to beat out all three of them with 19 rushing touchdowns and 718 rushing yards thus far.
It's now Tebow's trophy to lose.
