At the set of ESPN College GameDay Saturday in Norman, fans presented signs proclaiming “Sam Bradford for Heisman!”

After throwing for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-point obliteration of No. 2 Texas Tech, might that prophecy come true?

Chris Huston makes a living answering that question. Huston — also known as the Heisman Pundit — has been actively predicting the Heisman Trophy winner for five years now, and he has predicted correctly every season.

Huston said this year’s race could be one of the most hotly contested in recent memory, coming down to OU’s Sam Bradford, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

“It’s going to be pretty close,” Huston said. “It’s going to be McCoy, Bradford and Tebow as the top three, but the order isn’t set yet.”

Before OU’s win over Tech, Huston ranked Red Raider quarterback Graham Harrell No. 1 with Bradford coming in at No. 4. After such a convincing victory, Bradford’s stock rose while Harrell’s plumetted. However, Bradford’s stock did not rise as much as some might think.

“If you look at that game, the story of the first half was OU’s offensive line and running game,” Huston said. “It was such a blowout at halftime that most people probably changed channels and didn’t even see Bradford put up big numbers in the second half.”

Huston added that he generally doesn’t pick one favorite. Instead, he picks his top five candidates and gradually eliminates the ones he finds unworthy.

“I prefer to work backward,” he said. “If you get rid of the players that shouldn’t win it, you’re usually only left with one or maybe two that can even be considered.”

Huston now has McCoy ranked highest with Bradford No. 2.

“The Heisman is generally given to the player who captures the attitude of the season,” Huston said. “This year has been all about the Big 12, especially the quarterbacks in the South.”

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Football: OU vs. Texas Tech

Football: OU vs. Texas Tech

Huston noted that McCoy and Bradford have both put up outstanding statistics, but that McCoy gets a boost because he is a junior.

“Many of the things about McCoy and Bradford are even,” Huston said. “And when all things are even, it will almost always go to the upperclassman. Tebow was a sophomore last year when he won it, and I don’t think they’ll give it to [a sophomore] two years in a row.”

Huston said the sports information departments at OU and Texas could also make a major difference. Huston was the assistant athletic director at USC for six years and successfully led the Heisman campaigns of Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

Huston also said that a past OU Heisman winner might hurt Bradford’s chances.

“I think a little unfairly, Jason White has been pegged,” Huston said. “White didn’t finish the season well when he won the Heisman, and I think some voters had some buyer’s remorse ... Fairly or unfairly, there might be some lingering issues voters have with Oklahoma quarterbacks.”

While Huston said he thinks this year’s trophy is McCoy’s to lose, he didn’t eliminate Bradford from contention.

Huston said that if McCoy struggles on Thanksgiving Day against Texas A&M and Bradford has another strong showing against Oklahoma State, Bradford could become the frontrunner.

Either way, Huston said Bradford will be at the top of the conversation at the beginning of next season, particularly if the Sooners are able to move on to a national championship and win against a strong SEC opponent.

“If he can have a coming out party on a national stage and become a household name, he will most definitely be the frontrunner for next year’s Heisman,” Huston said.

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