Daniel draws Heisman attention

~ Missouri's quarterback has led the Tigers to an 8-1 record.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A few years ago, Missouri quarterback Brad Smith showed up on some preseason Heisman Trophy watch lists.

A do-it-all player on a so-so team that peaked with two Independence Bowl berths had zero chance, no matter how many school records Smith set.

Chase Daniel might be a different story. Smith's successor as the Tigers' quarterback has the resume with a supporting cast to match.

"A couple of things have to happen," coach Gary Pinkel said. "You've got to win at a high level and you've got to play consistently at a very, very high level."

Done, and done.

Missouri is 8-1, the school's best start since 1969, ranked No. 7 and rated a best-ever sixth in the BCS. Their junior quarterback is a major reason, leading a high-potency offense that averages 42 points with a pair of victories over ranked teams.

He's in the top 10 in the nation in seven major categories, including total offense in which he ranks fifth at 354 yards per game. Missouri leads the nation in converting on third down (57 percent) and fourth down (100 percent).

Daniel doesn't shy away from Heisman talk. He's a college football fan, too, hurrying home after wins to check out the competition on TV, and reading up on the subject.

"You hear it around and I read Internet stuff, I always have," Daniel said. "I'm not going to change my ways.

"I see it, it's out there and it's great for the program."

Daniel is hot, too. Last week he was the Big 12 offensive player of the week after throwing for a career-best 421 yards and tying his own school record with five touchdown passes in a 55-10 blowout victory at Colorado.

"That's not normal for those 45- to 50-yard balls to be that accurate," Pinkel said. "Certainly he played an outstanding game.

"I think he also would be the first one to tell you his offensive line did an exceptional job."

Last week, Daniel was announced as a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award as the country's top quarterback.

Of course, upcoming games closer to the early December ballot deadline are critical, headed by the Tigers' upcoming game against Kansas for the Big 12 North championship Nov. 24 in Kansas City.

"If he can get those kinds of accolades and people are mentioning him in that light, that would certainly be positive," Pinkel said. "Then we'd have to decide what direction we would go."

Much like Smith in 2004, Daniel was a dark horse Heisman candidate before the season started, coming off a very productive first year with a fairly frustrating finish. Along the way, he broke a bunch of Smith's records.

Missouri finished 8-5 and played in its best bowl in years, losing in the final seconds to Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, but began the year 6-0.

Bodog.com gives Daniel a 20-1 chance to win the Heisman this year, with Arkansas running back and 2006 runner-up Darren McFadden the 3-1 favorite.

This year, the only stumble came in a 10-point loss at then-No. 4 Oklahoma, now No. 2 in the nation. Daniel threw two interceptions and botched a handoff for a third turnover in that game, offsetting 361 yards passing.

Against the Tigers' seven BCS-conference opponents overall, he has thrown 18 touchdown passes with only five interceptions and a 71-percent completion rate.

Daniel likes the bottom line -- Missouri's national profile -- the best.

"I just know my name is being mentioned," Daniel said. "Everyone can get mentioned if they have a couple of good games back to back or a good season on a good team.

"I realize that, and it's nothing to be worried about."