Did Florida quarterback Tim Tebow get shafted by Heisman Trophy voters?
It is not a hard argument for Gators fans to make.
Seeking to become only the second two-time winner in the award's 74-year history, Tebow led all voters in first-place votes but finished third in the balloting behind winning Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and runner-up Colt McCoy of Texas.
Here's how it happened.
Tebow received 309 first-place votes. Bradford got 300 and McCoy 266. There were 904 ballots cast. Each voter designated a first-, second- and third-place selectee. A first-place vote was worth three points, a second-place two points and third-place one.
Bradford's final tally was 1,726 points, McCoy's 1,604 and Tebow's 1,575.
No third-place finisher in the trophy's history ever received more first-place votes.
Tebow, however, also received the most third-place votes, and, here's the tell-tale explanation, 154 voters left the Florida quarterback off their ballots.
Tebow finished 151 points behind the winner. That means had the 154 voters ranked him at least third, Tebow would have won by three points.
"I do think it shows that either they love us or they hate us - Gator Nation,'' Tebow said.
Tebow, an obviously fake smile glued to his face, said all the polite things, but was obviously riled by the results.
"I appreciate everybody that voted for me and thought I was worthy of it. If they didn't think I was worth, oh well, I can have one more chance, right?''
So why does Tebow think Gator Nation is either loved or hated?
"I don't know. I think it probably started with (Steve) Spurrier's swagger, to tell you the truth. How he handled situations. He either drew people in or made people not like the Gators and The Swamp. I kind of like that. Don't ride on the fence.''
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