Bryce Petty, Trevor Knight
Big 12
Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) throws during the second half against the UCF Knights in the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Baylor Bears had a disappointing end to their 2013 campaign, losing to Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl, they got a promising start to 2014 when their QB Bryce Petty decided to come back for his senior season and push his draft stock to 2015. But beyond that, Petty just wants to pick up where he and the Bears left off in 2013. Winners of the Big 12 last year, the only place to go up is with a National Championship for Baylor and the Heisman Trophy for Petty. He’d join Robert Griffin III as Baylor’s two Heisman winners. But much more than that, Petty has to feel the sting of wanting to finish what he started, and not going out the way the Bears did against UCF is a start. At 12-1, Petty is next in line behind UCLA’s Brett Hundley as Heisman faves.
Cincy on the Prowl
All the talk in Norman last preseason was about their scout team leader Trevor Knight. With pocket passer Landry Jones leaving for the NFL, would the Oklahoma Sooners change the way the offense has been run under Coach Bob Stoops? Those were answered when Knight started against Louisana Monroe last fall. What followed was an up and down inconsistency by Knight so much so that he was replaced by Blake Bell in mid season. Then came Kansas St. and then the bowl game versus Alabama. Knight started both games, and shined, especially against the Crimson Tide. Trouble is: Do you put so much valuation of one game and hinge it towards the following year? At 18-1 in the Heisman odds, Vegas seems to think so. Get through the first two or three games with flying colors and no setbacks and show some of the brilliancy of that night in New Orleans, not all, and the accolades could follow. Either way, Trevor Knight might be a year away before ‘serious’ Heisman talk.