Here’s what Landry Jones didn’t make it this month: He didn’t go to the national awards in Orlando, Fla., or the Heisman ceremony in New York. He didn’t hang out with Megan Fox on “The Tonight Show” or make the Top Ten on Letterman. He didn’t sit courtside during NBA games, nor did he play with LeBron James or James Harden afterward. And he certainly didn’t play 18 holes with the Jonas Brothers.
Johnny Manziel is a fabulous quarterback with a catchy nickname, a charismatic personality and a bright future in college football. But does anyone really believe that a freshman who has been so busy living away from football, who for that matter will be without his position as coach and offensive coordinator, is 100 focused on hundred for this bowling game?
Before Cam Newton, Heisman-winning quarterbacks had a habit of failing in their bowl games for this reason. In 2008, Sam Bradford threw two interceptions in a national title loss to Florida. The year before, Tim Tebow finished with a season-low 211 total yards in a loss to Michigan. And in 2006, Troy Smith It was a complete disaster as the Gators destroyed Ohio State to win the national title. Jason White, Eric Crouch And Chris Weinke were also all arrested during national championship defeats.
Winning the Heisman is such an overwhelming experience that it’s incredibly difficult for these quarterbacks to come back down to earth so quickly and lead a team to a bowl victory. Texas A&M took advantage in 1990 when the Aggies erased BYU and Heisman winner. Ty Detmer 65-14 in the Holiday Bowl.
Maybe Johnny Football is up to the challenge that doomed Heisman winners before him. He will also have to overcome another story. Oklahoma has dominated the Aggies over the past decade. Bob Stoops is 11-2 against A&M, including a comfortable win last year in which the Sooners led 41-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
And while Manziel will make his bowling debut, Jones will make his fourth bowling start and his 50th start overall. Jones is 3-0 in bowl games and has played very well in all of them. He also enters the bowling season on fire, having thrown for over 500 yards twice in November. And he won’t be overwhelmed by the Cowboys Stadium scene, either. He led the Sooners to a comeback victory over Nebraska in the 2010 Big 12 Championship.
Jones also understands that Norman will be remembered in part because of his performance in this game. Manziel will have a much better chance of cementing his legacy in College Station. This is Jones’ last shot. He only focused on that bowl game last month. That’s why I think he outperforms his counterpart, who had a fun December away from football.
