Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has picked a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, and it's not last year's winner.

Tebow, who could become the first player since Ohio State's Archie Griffin in 1975 to win consecutive Heismans, said yesterday that Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is his top choice right now.

"Being smart and just looking at guys who are having a good year, he obviously is someone to look at and would probably be my top guy I'd vote for right now," Tebow said. "He's playing extremely well and doing a great job leading his team and handles it with a lot of class, too."

As a previous winner, Tebow has a Heisman vote, and he used No. 5 Florida's off week to catch up on some of the hopefuls for college football's most prestigious award.

McCoy stood out.

The fellow junior completed 29 of 32 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two scores in the Longhorns' 56-31 victory against Missouri on Saturday. Texas beat Oklahoma, 45-35, a week earlier and took over the top spot in The Associated Press poll.

Through seven games, McCoy has completed 81 percent of his passes for 1,894 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has just three interceptions and leads the team with 371 yards rushing and six scores.

Tebow threw 32 touchdown passes last season, ran for 23 scores — he was the first player in NCAA history to have at least 20 touchdowns passing and rushing in the same season — and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman.

This season, Tebow has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,235 yards, with 10 touchdowns and one interception. He also has 179 yards rushing and three scores.

ELSEWHERE

Wisconsin: Dustin Sherer will start at quarterback for Wisconsin (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) on Saturday against Illinois. Coach Bret Bielema put Sherer atop the depth chart yesterday for the first time this season, with former starter Allan Evridge listed as co-backup along with Scott Tolzien.

Alabama: Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody will probably miss at least two games. Coach Nick Saban said yesterday Cody sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Kentucky: Kentucky lost running back Derrick Locke for the season when an MRI showed torn knee ligaments yesterday. He was injured on a kickoff Saturday against Arkansas.