GAINESVILLE, FLA. ? As Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon crumbled to the turf with a left knee injury Thursday night, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s Heisman Trophy chances rose a little bit more.

“I’m really, really close to calling the race for Tebow now,” said Chris Huston, publisher of the Web site heismanpundit.com.

It seemed Dixon and Tebow, a sophomore who has accounted for 42 touchdowns in 10 games, were the two favorites for the trophy entering Thursday night. But Dixon’s injury in the first quarter has ended his season and left Tebow as the top guy.

The biggest strikes against Tebow seem to be his age – no freshman or sophomore has won the Heisman – and his team’s three losses. But his statistics, and the lack of another outstanding candidate, might leave voters no other choice.

“He’s probably having the best sophomore season of all time,” said Huston, a Bishop Moore grad.

In a telephone interview Friday, Huston rattled off 16 Heisman hopefuls who faltered during the year with injuries, poor performances or a lack of team success.

Huston said three players still could steal the Heisman from Tebow. West Virginia quarterback Pat White would jump into the fray if the Mountaineers win the Big East and rise in the Bowl Championship Series. Arkansas’ Darren McFadden could regain favorite status with a big rushing day and a Razorbacks victory at No. 1 LSU on Friday.

But the new No. 2 in the Heisman race is Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel. The Tigers finish with No. 4 Kansas next Saturday, and a win there would send them to the Dec. 1 Big 12 title game. Two victories likely would send the Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game and give Daniel enough attention and TD passes to challenge Tebow.

“People will be looking for a reason not to vote for Tebow,” Huston said. “If (Missouri) beats Kansas and Oklahoma and goes to the national-championship game, then they have their guy.”