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Slide Show: Sam or Colt? Big 12 foes have trouble deciding who is better

OU quarterback Sam Bradford and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy finished 1-2 in last year's Heisman voting. Bradford was also voted first team All-American, while McCoy was second team. Mike Wyke/Tulsa World file, HARRY CABLUCK/Associated Press file

 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 8/2/2009  2:23 AM
Last Modified: 8/5/2009  8:10 AM

 IF YOU COULD start your own Big 12 football team, who would you rather have at quarterback, Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy?

Oklahoma State fans could argue that Zac Robinson should be in the discussion, and that's true. Robinson's run-pass skills are as good as there is in college football this side of Tim Tebow.

But for the sake of this discussion, Bradford and McCoy finished 1-2 in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Bradford was first-team AP All-American (and player of the year) and McCoy was second-team. In media voting, McCoy was the Big 12's offensive player of the year, but Bradford was the first-team quarterback. In coaches voting, Bradford was player of the year and first-team All-Big 12.

Two of the nation's best aren't only in the same conference. They play for blood-feud rivals, and they've struck up quite the friendship.

"I was disappointed they came back," joked OSU coach Mike Gundy, referencing each player's decision last January to return to college football instead of venturing into the NFL. "Very disappointed in both of them."

Last week, players and coaches interviewed at Big 12 Media Day couldn't decide which was better. They couldn't pick one over the other. They couldn't choose who would have gotten their Heisman vote last year.

Well, all but one.

"I'd probably have to pick Sam," said Texas Tech defensive lineman Colby Whitlock, who was an OU fan growing up in Noble, a zip code away from Norman. "For what he did, for his second year being there, he did awesome. It was really cool to see."

Here's a rundown of their accomplishments:

Bradford ran or passed on 525 plays. He threw 483 passes, completed 328 (67.9 percent) for 4,720 yards (14.4 yards per catch) and 50 touchdowns. He also netted 47 yards and five TDs rushing.

McCoy ran or passed on 569 plays. He threw 433 passes, completed 332 (an NCAA-record 76.7 percent) for 3,859 yards, (11.6 yards per completion) and 34 touchdowns. He also netted 561 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing.

Bradford accounted for 55 touchdowns (one every 9.5 plays) and 4,767 yards while his team went 12-2 and won the Big 12 championship.

McCoy accounted for 45 touchdowns (one every 12.6 plays) and 4,420 yards while his team went 12-1 and tied OU and Texas Tech for the Big 12 South championship.

Each threw just eight interceptions.

McCoy's team beat Bradford's team 45-35 in the Cotton Bowl.

So who's better?

"Both of them were kind of equal to me," Texas A&M defensive back Trent Hunter said. "Colt kind of showed his speed a little more than Sam did, but at the same time, I wouldn't pick one over the other. Whichever one I was given, that'd be fine with me."

"I think Sam Bradford probably has a little bit better arm, a little more polished arm," said Oklahoma State's Andre Sexton, who has faced both QBs as a safety and a linebacker.

Sexton explained the reason why Bradford has a better arm, but McCoy set the record for completion percentage.

"I think the routes (Texas) ran were a lot more simpler and not as deep, as opposed to some of the home-run hitters you see Sam delivering," Sexton said.

Said Gundy, "Bradford's so deadly accurate in the pocket. Scary. And McCoy can throw it and he can throw it on the run and avoid and make a play."

Defensive backs and linebackers face the challenge of McCoy and Bradford's record-setting accuracy. But if the defensive line and rushing linebackers can generate pressure, that accuracy can be significantly diminished.

Then again, that's far easier said than done.

"They both seemed to have the ball away before you could do anything with them," said A&M's Lucas Patterson, who switches to offensive line this year after playing defense last year. "From my perspective, I thought Bradford had a quicker release than Colt. Colt McCoy seemed to run the ball more than Bradford did."

Nobody disputes that McCoy is faster, more agile and a more aggressive runner than Bradford. But Bradford is hardly a statue back in the pocket. It was on the move against Oklahoma State where Bradford delivered a play that many feel won him the Heisman.

"Last year, when we got pressure on Sam — because we're getting back there a lot — it's like we couldn't finish the plays because he was eluding the defenders coming at him," Sexton said. "He made a lot more plays than you would expect ... Sam's more, 'I'll stay in the pocket and hurt you downfield more,' and Colt's more, 'I'm going to scramble and hurt you with my feet more than with my arm.'"

Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh said it's impossible to pick one over the other.

"They have different aspects to their games," Suh said. "They're better in certain situations than the other. But I think overall they're pretty much equal."

Said Whitlock, "Colt, you have more of a chance he might scramble on you, so you've got to be careful and keep in your rush lanes. Bradford, you've just got to try to get there as quick as you can because he makes his reads so quick and he's so good at what he does.

"It is splitting hairs to say who's better."

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said he's not into splitting hairs. Rather, he sees something in Bradford and McCoy that can't be measured.

"They're both good leaders on their teams," Leach said. "They both draw good performances out of the players around them."

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OU key dates

Aug. 3: Individual game tickets go on sale

Aug. 5: Players report

Aug. 6: Practice begins

Aug. 7: media Day/Fan Appreciation Day

Aug. 11: First two-a-day practices (others Aug. 13, 17, 19)

Aug. 24: First day of classes

Sept. 5: OU vs. BYU, 6 p.m., Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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9 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
JustCurious, Broken Arrow (8/2/2009 9:46:30 AM)
Great story John. Very unbiased. Myself, I'll take Sam. His carer will be longer because of his style. No queston they are both very good but Sam is a coach's QB. Think-do, make plays. A prototypical NFL QB.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (8/2/2009 12:25:48 PM)
Two great players and fine young men.
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SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (8/2/2009 12:30:19 PM)
That would be a tough choice. If it is for a pro team Sam is hands down, but Colt sure has exhibited stand up leadership in all of his 4th quarter comebacks.
Report Comment
TMS, (8/2/2009 2:58:42 PM)
Colt is by far the better "college" QB. Sam may do great in NFL if he had the best line. He's a little tender for physical contact.
Report Comment
T!ger,, Tulsa (8/2/2009 4:34:49 PM)
Both are good but, definetly Sam! He has set so many records and he is the perfect arm and perfect style QB! He will be great in the Pro's.
Report Comment
wishbone, (8/2/2009 7:29:59 PM)
NO BRAINER....BRADFORD!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (8/2/2009 8:59:32 PM)
TMS, if Colt is the better college QB, where is his Heisman?
Report Comment
T!ger,, Tulsa (8/4/2009 7:16:46 PM)
Yeah, TMS, and how many records has he actually set? Bradford started his first few records as a freshman and continues to make records after records! Bradford is a really good guy, and a really good QB. Sam is the Man!
Report Comment
OUStudent3, Norman (8/5/2009 1:23:40 PM)
I'll admit, I hate Texas but Colt is a helluva quarterback - tough as nails. I think both guys have outstanding qualities both on and off the field. I have friends who are close to both guys and they say Colt and Sam are the real deal. I find it interesting they have become friends but its cool. Go get 'em Sam, see ya in Dallas.
 

 
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