Joey Johnston

Tim Tebow ... Heisman Trophy long shot? Who knew? But if you just saw the score alone — Florida 56, Hawaii 10 — we already know what you might’ve been thinking: “Wow, how many touchdowns did Tim Tebow get this time?’’

Just one.

And none on the ground, in his customary mauling of a would-be tackler.

Somebody told Tebow, the Florida Gators quarterback, that he had already fallen behind in the race to get another Heisman Trophy.

“Oh, shucks,’’ Tebow said in good humor.

For the Gators, this is actually a good thing.

Tebow understands the game within a game as the Gators prepare to face the Miami Hurricanes in a prime-time clash on Saturday night. For all the good that Tebow did last season — accounting for 51 total touchdowns, establishing a 20-20 mark (20 rushing, 20 passing) and becoming the first sophomore to claim the Heisman — his efforts didn’t allow Florida to properly defend its national title.

The Gators, in fact, lost four games, including the Capital One Bowl to Michigan.

Will Tebow become the first repeat Heisman winner since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin? It’s very, very doubtful. Heisman voters already have demonstrated their reluctance to support a repeat candidate. (Jason White and Matt Leinart never really had a chance.)

The Gators already show signs of being much more balanced offensively. Truth is, they have to be balanced if they expect to become Georgia’s challenger in the SEC East.

Last season, Tebow WAS the running game. The best play was him tucking it in his gut and running over somebody. It worked — for a while.

But Tebow got worn down. The Gators had no other viable options. Against the big boys — LSU, Auburn and Georgia — they paid dearly.

Now it’s a new ball game. The Gators can go from zero to end zone in nothing flat, with the likes of Chris Rainey, freshman sprinter Jeffrey Demps and Percy Harvin (who didn’t even play against Hawaii due to a heel injury, but could get Heisman notice of his own when healthy). There’s also potential workhorse Emmanuel Moody, the USC transfer.

Let’s say Florida goes 12-0, toppling LSU and Georgia along the way, and Tebow puts up very capable numbers. Of course, he will be on the Heisman short list. Anything south of that, though, and the race opens widely.

Tebow isn’t going to go 20-20 again. But it’s possible the Gators will be better — and he’ll be healthier — with a lightened workload.

Ohio State sees a scenario where running back Chris “Beanie’’ Wells (if completely healthy) could leap to the Heisman forefront. Missouri likes Chase Daniel, and West Virginia favors Pat White. All of them were on the radar last season before Tebow’s unique numbers wore everyone down.

Don’t look for a Tebow repeat with the Heisman.

For Florida fans, the silver lining is obvious. That translates into a more balanced offense, a quarterback with sufficiently working body parts and a team that very well could be headed to the BCS Championship Game in Miami.

Even Tebow would trade another bronze statue for a crystal football.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

BCS should reconsider 'plus-one' — fast Oklahoma jumps Texas into No. 2 in BCS Updated Bowl Championship Series standings Walters: OU-Texas just beginning of BCS controversies Bradford tears ligaments in non-throwing hand Extra Points: You've got to get past Missouri first Projections for all 34 college bowl games Miami coach upset over lack of blacks in ranks Volunteers to introduce Kiffin on Monday Heisman Hopefuls: Bradford, Tebow on top   College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: