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Robinson has shot in race for Heisman

OSU Quarterback Zac Robinson. Special to the Tulsa World Thomas B. Shea

 
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Writer
Published: 10/31/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 10/31/2009  7:19 AM
Go to Dave Sittler's Blog

STILLWATER — You've heard about the "Pickens Plan," but how about the "Sittler Scenario?"

Boone Pickens, a billionaire and Oklahoma State alum, returned to his alma mater Thursday to speak to more than 4,000 spectators about his energy plan to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil.

Pickens will be back in town today pursuing his other passion

e_SEmD

OSU football. If things unfold the right way in the 7 p.m. OSU-Texas contest inside the sold-out stadium bearing his name, the Cowboys' No. 1 fan will witness the first stage of "Sittler's Scenario."

A sequence of events must occur between tonight and the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 5, but the end game in my plan calls for OSU quarterback Zac Robinson to win the Heisman Trophy.

Class is dismissed for those of you who think I've lost my mind. If the rest of you hang in there for a few minutes, I will outline the reasons why this isn't some half-baked idea with no chance for success.

The most important point is that I can't recall the last time a Heisman Trophy race was so wide open this late in the season.

As a group of writers and talking heads waited for the press box elevator after Oklahoma's win at Kansas last Saturday, Oklahoma City sportscaster Bob Barry Jr.
asked, "Who would you vote for today to win the Heisman Trophy?"

That question was followed by a long silence from a group of people who normally are never shy about sharing passionate opinions on just about anything. Even when they're not asked.

When someone finally said, "I have absolutely no clue," the rest of us agreed with him.

I realize all coaches and the majority of sports fans believe every media member was born clueless and remains that way for life. While that might be a point well taken, the more important one to make here is that the 2009 Heisman is still there for the taking.

Many pundits have predicted Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will become a serious player in the Heisman conversation with a strong performance against the Cowboys. Last season's runner-up to Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, McCoy has often struggled this season, even though the No. 3 Longhorns are 7-0 (4-0 in the Big 12).

But the same set of circumstances that offer McCoy a chance to become a major Heisman contender are also there for Robinson. The game will be nationally televised, and the night kickoff means many Heisman voters will have already covered a game today and will either be watching No. 13 OSU (6-1, 3-0) vs. No. 3 Texas, or No. 4 Southern Cal's visit to No. 10 Oregon.

A lot of Heisman voters love a compelling story played out on a national stage. If Robinson's play is key in upsetting the Longhorns, the country will start to take notice of one of this season's best stories.

Once considered part of OSU's offensive "triplets," Robinson has been an orphan for most of the season after losing Kendall Hunter (injury) and Dez Bryant (suspension). The loss of the two All-Americans allowed Robinson to display his Heisman-like qualities when it comes to holding a team together and willing his teammates to win through unwavering leadership.

Robinson's critics will point to OSU's head-scratching loss at home to Houston. The five consecutive wins after that defeat have come against suspect competition, and even the season-opening victory over Georgia is somewhat tainted because the Bulldogs are struggling.

In a normal season, the wins over lackluster competition would be difficult for a Heisman candidate to overcome. Especially in a year that featured the returning winner in Bradford, the 2007 Heisman selection in Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and McCoy.

But 2009 has been anything but normal. A twice-injured shoulder ended Bradford's season, while preseason Heisman favorite Tebow has performed even worse than McCoy the past few games.

Heismanpundit.com has Tebow ranked fourth on its weekly watch list. Alabama running back Mark Ingram is No. 1, followed by Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and McCoy.

Robinson didn't crack the top 10. But the good news is that his name is finally listed among the "others receiving votes."

OSU's lack of success against Texas is well documented. That's why Robinson will get a huge bump nationally in the Heisman polls if he's most responsible for breaking UT coach Mack Brown's 11-game winning streak over the Pokes by preventing OSU from faltering in the second half and losing yet another game it should have won against the Longhorns.

If he conquers the Longhorns, Robinson's upcoming sequences include leading OSU to a 12-1 finish, with victories over hated-rated rival Oklahoma on the Sooners' field and whipping the North Division champion in the Big 12 title game.

Several of the aforementioned pundits have said the winner of tonight's game will ensure its quarterback becomes the strong frontrunner to be named to the conference's first team.

All-Big 12 is a terrific honor. But with some promotion money provided by the guy behind the "Pickens Plan," and Robinson doing his versatile dual-threat part, the "Sittler Scenario" won't seem as goofy in December as it might on this final day of October.
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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20 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
Report Comment
PIRANA, Tulsa (10/31/2009 5:01:18 AM)
PRESS ON Zac!!! Go Pokes BEAT TEXAS!
Report Comment
DanDDiver, Vail, CO (10/31/2009 8:58:09 AM)
I love how OSU is handling this game in the underdog role.
I don't think anyone outside of Stillwater (except a few national TV pundits) believe OSU can defeat Texas.
Certainly not Mack Brown, who's PC statements belie his overconfidence in this game.
Mack and Texas are in for a trick tonight on Halloween.
It's OSU's treat.
Report Comment
colin1497, Shawnee (10/31/2009 9:07:34 AM)
How about we just beat Texas. One game at a time isn't just a cliche.

Press On.
Report Comment
Big Fella, San Mateo (10/31/2009 10:34:54 AM)
What an ego. Nobody cares about you or your "scenario". Why not do something original rather than copy from Boone? You, of all reporters, seem to forget that the story is about the team, the sport, the athlete. It is not about the reporter. Why must you inject yourself into the story? Did your mother not hold you enough as a baby?
Report Comment
osufanforlife, TULSA (10/31/2009 11:27:51 AM)
Mr. Sittler...your lips to God's ears!! Go Pokes!!
Report Comment
Few Clothes, America (10/31/2009 12:05:06 PM)
We will see after today's game how he rates.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/31/2009 12:38:18 PM)
I'd read the story again if I were you Big Fella. The story is about Zac Robinson winning the Heisman and the scenario involved for that to happen. Him referring to it as the "Sittler Scenario" is simply poking a little fun at the "Pickens Plan". Get it? A joke? Probably not. As a Sooner fan I hope he has the performance of a lifetime and locks up the Heisman tonight. Considering the beat-down he'll get in Norman in a month that would have to be epic. Go Jokes!
Report Comment
im4osu, Broken Arrow (10/31/2009 1:17:07 PM)
Here is STEFF M again running her big losing mouth again, TYPICAL OU FAN,,,,You should be ashamed of yourself. Cant wait 4 Thanksgiving, your team has no chance.
Report Comment
Navin Johnson, Tulsa (10/31/2009 1:47:57 PM)
He has a slightly better chance to win than I do!
Report Comment
redbeard, Stillwater (10/31/2009 2:20:25 PM)
Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? Who cares about the Heisman? Just beat Texas today and try to put the Pokes in position to win the Big 12 South.

That will be hard enough. Go Pokes!
Report Comment
stugraham, broken arrow (10/31/2009 4:36:06 PM)
Dez Bryant has a better shot at winning the Heisman, and he isn't even playing. If you take the time to research the Heisman, you will find that big statistical numbers, play a large role. Sure, being on a winning program helps a lot, but give me a break. Zac's numbers are nowhere near the top of any statistical category nationally, but then again, he is leading OSU's quarterbacking statistics.

I am an OU fan, but I like Zac's style, they are having a good run, but it is still early. As for the Heisman, maybe the quarterback that outdueled him in Stillwater, Keenan. Boomer Sooner.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/31/2009 10:22:05 PM)
That Heisman hope lasted about a quarter. Maybe you guys can make Bedlam a little more interesting.
Report Comment
Drumie, Palatine, IL (10/31/2009 10:33:12 PM)
Is Sittler smoking those funny cigarettes again? You have to put up better numbers than Zac, to win the Heisman.
Gone are the days when Paul Hornung could win the Heisman with a 2-8 Notre Dame team.
Report Comment
yerout, Claremore (10/31/2009 10:33:33 PM)
Can you win the Heisman for being the best player on your team?

lol
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/31/2009 11:05:34 PM)
I'm not sure if it's a trick or treat. But whatever it is April fools.
Report Comment
Few Clothes, America (11/1/2009 9:39:06 AM)
He isn't anymore.
Report Comment
ropers, Sun City (11/1/2009 9:45:00 AM)
Zac Robinson has a chance to win the Heisman?? Oh sure, and the Golden Hurricane will be in the BCS championship game, too!
Report Comment
tvlsetawla, Tulsa (11/1/2009 2:15:17 PM)
the only heisman he is gonna get is 'da heisman'sandwich they serve at BILLY SIMS resturant.if he can handle it! GO HORNS!
Report Comment
TMS, (11/1/2009 4:10:55 PM)
Sure...............
Report Comment
Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (11/1/2009 5:36:04 PM)
Oops...maybe we should have waited until AFTER the UT game to publish this.
 

 
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