Mark Ingram

ED BARKOWITZ Texas' Colt McCoy, despite his showing in the Big 12 title game, is the better of the two quarterbacks and his experience in tight games will be the difference. The Longhorns will gain redemption from being snubbed for a shot at the 2008 title by winning outright. Texas, 24-17. CHUCK BAUSMAN Alabama has survived and thrived in the rugged SEC. Texas just hasn't played the same quality of opponent. You know how Heisman Trophy winners usually bomb in their bowl games?

In listening to Penn State players talk this week about Alabama's running game, they made it clear they were treating running back Trent Richardson with the same respect as 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. That will come in handy for Saturday night's game between the two prestigious programs. Ingram is likely out; coach Nick Saban said Wednesday he was "probably not going to be ready to play" against the 18th-ranked Nittany Lions as he continues to recover from left knee surgery.

THE BEST Mark Ingram, Alabama Size: 5-9 1/4, 215. 40 time: 4.62. Projected round: 1 Mayock: "Ingram's a warrior with just an incredibly aggressive running style, and he will block. He can be a true three-down back if there is such a thing in today's NFL. " THE RISER Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech Size: 5-9 1/2, 212. 40 time: 4.59. Projected round: 2 Mayock: "He's my No. 2-rated running back behind Ingram. His main issue is durability. When healthy, you're talking about a 212-pound back with tremendous lateral cutting ability and explosion, who's big enough and strong enough to lower his pad level and push the pile.

Because someone eventually has to strike that pose. Just don't ask us for a definitive who at this stage. That's what StiffArmTrophy.com tries to do. Each week, it polls 60 actual Heisman voters, from 35 states. What that means exactly, not even Beano Cook knows. But it's a place to start, if nothing else. A week ago, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor had retaken a slight lead on Michigan QB Denard Robinson. Boise QB Kellen Moore was third, followed by Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez.

SCOUTING REPORT Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: He celebrated his second consecutive 1,000-yard season with an arrest in July for misdemeanor assault, his fourth pinch as a pro. Jahvid Best, Detroit: Had five touchdowns in the first two weeks last year and just one the rest of the season. Figures to get plenty of chances as the Lions' best option, and if his turf toe (or any other ailment) comes up, former Eagle Jerome Harrison is backing him up. LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay: Already a decent option as a No. 2 back, Blount's stock will rise if he can handle the third-down duties the Bucs are throwing at him this preseason.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones might miss the rest of the season because of a neck injury. Coach Wade Phillips said yesterday that Jones, who was injured early in the 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh, has a "herniated disk, maybe two" and will definitely miss Sunday's game against the New York Giants. "Our people don't think it's career threatening or anything else that he would have to be operated on or anything like that," Phillips said. "But it is something that might put him out this year.

The Green Bay Packers, who have been seeking to sign free-agent wide receiver Andre Rison, were reported to be close to completing a trade for Rison's former roommate at Michigan State, receiver Mark Ingram. The Milwaukee Journal quoted Packers general manager Ron Wolf as saying Green Bay was working on a trade to get Ingram from the Miami Dolphins. The Journal said it was not known what players or draft choices might be involved in such a trade. "It's close, but you hate to say anything about it until it's completed," Wolf said.

The New York Giants have refused to pay suspended receiver Plaxico Burress a $1 million portion of a signing bonus from a contract signed in September. NFL Players Association union spokesman Carl Francis confirmed last night that the team decided to not make the payment, which was due yesterday. On Tuesday, the union filed a grievance challenging the Giants' decision to suspend and fine Burress last week after the Super Bowl hero accidentally shot himself in a Manhattan nightclub Nov. 29. Cowboys.

There will be no 2005 Heisman Trophy winner now that Reggie Bush has returned the award from that year. The head of the Heisman Trophy Trust said yesterday the award will be vacated. Bush announced Tuesday he would forfeit the trophy he won with Southern California. In June, the NCAA ruled him ineligible for that season for receiving improper benefits. The Heisman Trophy Trust requires players to be in good standing with the NCAA to be eligible for college football's highest honor.

For a placekicker, sometimes there is no explanation for failure. No reason to offer for why a kick went 10 feet to the right or left instead of straight down the middle. Matt Bahr said the only thing different about his two field goal attempts yesterday and the one he tried in the waning seconds of last January's NFC championship game against San Francisco was the result. He made the 42-yarder against the Niners and sent the Giants into the Super Bowl. Yesterday, he missed a 44- and a 32-yarder that turned out to be the numerical difference between victory and a 19-14 defeat to the Eagles.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama's Trent Richardson is eager to show what he can do against No. 1 Louisiana State. Not because Saturday night's showdown is the type of game that serves as a showcase for the Heisman Trophy candidate. The star tailback for the No. 2 Crimson Tide said it's because he was injured and didn't play much against the Tigers in 2010. "This game means a lot to me because I didn't get to play in it last year except for about one quarter," Richardson said. "So I really can't wait to showcase what a healthy Trent can do in this game.

Saints 40, Texans 33 NEW ORLEANS - Drew Brees passed for 370 yards and three touchdowns and twice led New Orleans back from fourth-quarter deficits. Mark Ingram's first career touchdown on a 13-yard run gave the Saints (2-1) the lead for good with less than three minutes left. Houston fell to 2-1 despite 373 yards passing and three TDs by Matt Schaub. Houston 10 6 3 14 – 33 New Orleans 0 10 7 23 – 40 First quarter   Hou–Daniels 14 pass from Schaub (Rackers kick)

SEASON-OPENING blowout of an overmatched opponent with the wide margin of victory possibly disguising some blemishes? Check. A quarterback shuffle involving a pair of closely matched passers? Check. Unsettled offensive line? Check, again. To hear Alabama coach Nick Saban tell it, the only difference between his second-ranked Crimson Tide and Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions is the color of the jerseys and helmets. Saban believes the strengths of the two teams, which vie Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium, are similar, as are their perceived weaknesses.

SCOUTING REPORT Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: He celebrated his second consecutive 1,000-yard season with an arrest in July for misdemeanor assault, his fourth pinch as a pro. Jahvid Best, Detroit: Had five touchdowns in the first two weeks last year and just one the rest of the season. Figures to get plenty of chances as the Lions' best option, and if his turf toe (or any other ailment) comes up, former Eagle Jerome Harrison is backing him up. LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay: Already a decent option as a No. 2 back, Blount's stock will rise if he can handle the third-down duties the Bucs are throwing at him this preseason.

The Colts have re-signed quarterback Peyton Manning to a long-term deal that could keep him in Indianapolis for the rest of his career. Colts owner Jim Irsay said Saturday he was "thrilled" to sign the only four-time MVP in league history. Details of the contract were not disclosed, but ESPN described it as a five-year, $90 million deal, which at $18 million per year matches New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's contract as the highest in the NFL. "Signing Peyton was a top priority for this organization and we are thrilled that the deal is complete," Irsay said in a statement.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Beaver Stadium can be an intimidating place for opponents. But Barrett Jones is looking forward to jogging into the Nittany Lions' lair when Alabama plays there on Sept. 10, eager to hear the roar of more than 100,000 Penn State football fans. Not much rattles the massive Alabama lineman, and the trip to Happy Valley hardly qualifies as a venture into hostile territory for Jones, who has spent his last two spring breaks tending to earthquake victims in Haiti.

THE BEST Mark Ingram, Alabama Size: 5-9 1/4, 215. 40 time: 4.62. Projected round: 1 Mayock: "Ingram's a warrior with just an incredibly aggressive running style, and he will block. He can be a true three-down back if there is such a thing in today's NFL. " THE RISER Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech Size: 5-9 1/2, 212. 40 time: 4.59. Projected round: 2 Mayock: "He's my No. 2-rated running back behind Ingram. His main issue is durability. When healthy, you're talking about a 212-pound back with tremendous lateral cutting ability and explosion, who's big enough and strong enough to lower his pad level and push the pile.

QUARTERBACKS THE BEST Blaine Gabbert, Missouri Size: 6-4 1/2, 234. 40 time: 4.61. Projected round: 1 Mayock: "He's a big, strong kid who throws the hell out of the football and has exceptional athletic ability. He's not as clean as Sam Bradford or Matt Ryan. He comes from a spread offense and is going to have to work on both his footwork and his pocket awareness. He's one of those real good athletes who leaves the pocket too quickly. I don't want to kill him for it because he makes plays with his feet, but it's something he's going to have to develop.

Paul Domowitch rates the top draft prospects in this year's NFL draft: RATINGS KEY   60-58: Get Canton on the phone 57-51: Perennial Pro Bowler 50-45: Should start as a rookie 44-36: Should start by Year 2 35-26: Special teams, here I come; 25-21: Welcome to the practice squad, rook 20-16: Undrafted free agents are people too; 15-0: Damn, I knew I should've gone to class more. QUARTERBACKS 1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, 6-4, 234, speed 4.61, rating 50, projected round: 1 2. Cam Newton, Auburn, 6-5, 248, speed 4.59, rating 48, projected round: 1 3. Jake Locker, Washington, 6-2, 231, speed 4.59, rating 44, projected round: 1 4. Andy Dalton, Texas Christian, 6-2, 215, speed 4.87, rating 39, projected round: 1-2 5. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, 6-6, 253, speed 5.37, rating 38, projected round: 2 6. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, 6-4, 233, speed 4.53, rating 37, projected round: 2 7. Christian Ponder, Florida St., 6-2, 229, speed 4.65, rating 36, projected round: 2 8. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa, 6-4, 223, speed 4.93, rating 33, projected round: 2-3 9. Pat Devlin, Delaware, 6-3, 225, speed 4.86, rating 27, projected round: 4-5 10. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 216, speed 4.51, rating 25, projected round: 5 RUNNING BACKS 1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 5-9, 215, speed 4.62, rating 48, projected round: 1 2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, 5-9, 212, speed 4.61,...

Because someone eventually has to strike that pose. Just don't ask us for a definitive who at this stage. That's what StiffArmTrophy.com tries to do. Each week, it polls 60 actual Heisman voters, from 35 states. What that means exactly, not even Beano Cook knows. But it's a place to start, if nothing else. A week ago, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor had retaken a slight lead on Michigan QB Denard Robinson. Boise QB Kellen Moore was third, followed by Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez.