Handicapping Texas A QB Johnny Manziel's chances to win a second Heisman

He was at it again late Saturday night. The sports craziness that unfolded at the Cotton Bowl and between the hedges at Georgia and in Fenway Park had been put to bed. And Johnny Football was at it again.

It was not a perfect performance that Johnny Manziel delivered in Oxford, Miss. He threw an interception, his fifth of the season. He fumbled the ball. But on fourth down, he did what winners do. And he completed 80 percent of his passes. And he totaled 470 yards. And he led the Aggies past Mississippi, 41 38.

Texas A is ranked No. 7 in the nation despite a defense that might not be one of the top 50, depending upon how one chooses to make that evaluation. And so the 870 media voters (yes, I have a vote) and 57 living Heisman winners (yes, he has a vote) must begin to make that evaluation once again.

If Johnny Manziel is the best player in college football again this season, does he deserve a second Heisman Trophy?

There are two questions at work here. Let's start with the one about if he deserves it after an off season in which Johnny Football seemed determined to move the Heisman permanently to Animal House.

With the passage of time, what did that amount to? A lot of indications of underage drinking, which we can't condone but we can't pretend it violates standards set by previous Heisman winners.

A lot of autograph signing, for which Manziel may have lined his already deep pockets although the NCAA found no proof and settled for a two quarters suspension against Rice.

A lot of Vontae Davis Super Bowl Jersey thumbing his nose at the establishment by, among other things, acting irresponsibly at the Mannings' football camp and showing up at a UT frat party in a Tebow jersey.

Some of these things are more embarrassing than others. But taken as a whole, do they eliminate Manziel from consideration for a trophy awarded to "the outstanding college player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity"?

I have no doubt that some media members have already ruled him out. I have not.

For one thing, I'm pretty sure I have voted for other players of suspect integrity. For another, to presume there is anything pristine about the current college football landscape where coaches, administrators and bowl officials are essentially printing money on the sweat of www.coltsofficialnflprostore.com/ANDREW_LUCK_SUPER_BOWL_JERSEY.html scholarship athletes is mindless.

When Manziel was handed the trophy in December, he was six months removed from handcuffs and a misdemeanor arrest. If that was OK, I'm hard pressed to figure out what he did this past off season that was worse.

That Vontae Davis Super Bowl 49 Jersey brings us to whether or not he's deserving. A year ago, Manziel won despite performances somewhere between "poor" and "average" in losses to Florida and LSU. This year Manziel was a tour de force in a 49 42 loss to Alabama.

Two key games take place this weekend regarding his Heisman competition.

When Florida State visits Clemson, two quarterback candidates will get a full evaluation. Clemson's Tajh Boyd and Florida State freshman Jameis Winston are probably on the top five lists of every Heisman voter.

The only place where they really beat Manziel is in fewer interceptions. The rest of Manziel's passing numbers are better, the competition he has faced is better (they haven't played Alabama) and he's a far more dangerous runner.

I don't think Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater has much of a Heisman chance even though the Cardinals may go undefeated. Voters will be inclined to look at their American Athletic Conference schedule the way candidates from Houston, Boise State and other "mid majors" have been viewed.

But Bridgewater (great passing stats, not a runner) at least gets a shot at the Friday night spotlight against a Central Florida team that gained credibility by losing to No. 12 South Carolina by a field goal.

The quarterback who most resembles Manziel is Oregon's Marcus Mariota, an established pass run threat who hasn't Pat McAfee Super Bowl XLIX Jersey seen much in the way of a challenge other than No. 16 Washington. If the Ducks stay undefeated after games with UCLA and Stanford, Mariota might be a http://www.coltsofficialnflprostore.com/TY_HILTON_SUPER_BOWL_JERSEY.html deserving No. 1 on Heisman ballots. Time will Pat McAfee Super Bowl Jersey tell on that one. McCarron, he may be on his way to a third national title, but I don't think he's headed down the road to his first Heisman. He's more than a "caretaker" for the Tide offense. I don't doubt that he will get votes, but, statistically, he falls short of the top contenders.

And for the last time (well, the last time here), he did not outplay Manziel in that memorable September game. Let McCarron take a shot at the Alabama defense while Manziel faces the Aggies. See how that one comes out.

The Aggies are home the next four Saturdays, meaning they should be 9 1 and ranked in the top five by the time they visit LSU and Missouri for their last two games.

I plan to be watching those games, unfinished Heisman ballot at my side. And I have no doubts that Johnny Football will put on a show that makes him worth every penny.

I'm talking about the price of tickets or your cable bill, naturally.

Tim Cowlishaw has been The Dallas Morning News' lead sports columnist since July 1998. Prior to that he covered the Cowboys for six seasons and the Stars for three as a beat reporter.

Tim has been appearing regularly on ESPN"s "Around the Horn" since the show made its debut in November 2002. He also worked with ESPN as part of the network's "NASCAR Now" coverage in 2007 08.