Sam Bradford vs. Chase Daniels

Here at Dallas Pro Sports, we’ll talk a little college football and basketball on occasion as well. Tonight’s game has Southlake/Carroll quarterback legend Chase Daniels leading Missouri against Sam Bradford and the OU Sooners. It’s going to be a heck of a game, with Missouri facing their last opportunity to secure room in the Championship.

Listening to the ABC experts, you’d think Chase Daniels hung the moon. And let’s face it, with 3,951 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns, he’s a definite Heisman Trophy candidate. Oklahoma’s redshirt freshman, Sam Bradford is no spring chicken either. Despite…. Bradford has passed for 2,670 yards and 32 touchdowns. He’s completed 70% of his 282 pass attempts, compared to Daniels’ 70% out of 495 attempts. Bradford missed some time on the field due to injury, which would probably have put him in a comparable position to Daniels when it comes to stats.

Keep in mind that Oklahoma has almost 300 more rushing yards than Missouri, so the Tigers rely on Daniels more to make the throws. The Sooners are more balanced, which means Bradford’s individual stats unfortunately won’t compete. The Oklahoma City native is doing his hometown proud. Had Bradford been healthy, Oklahoma would probably have reversed that second loss, putting them ahead of Missouri in the hunt for the Championship.

Chuck Cooperstein of ESPN Radio told Matt Mosley on the air this week that he would take Bradford over Daniels in a heartbeat. The talent difference isn’t so clear cut as all that, but I will say that their skill and attitude levels are definitely comparable. I personally get the best of both worlds because Chase Daniels played only a few miles away from my house and Bradford plays for my favorite college team (Boomer Sooner, baby!). I’m happy with either receiving the attention, but I think the national spotlight has unfairly highlighted Chase Daniels and ignored Sam Bradford. Perhaps it’s simply his redshirt freshman status. Bradford has several more years to win the Heismann. Chase Daniels is a junior, and probably should win the trophy. The only other legitimate contender SHOULD be running back Darren McFadden.

Several players would have been Heisman contenders were it not for injuries late in the season. Dennis Dixon and Sam Bradford would be right at the top were it not for missed games.