Young should strike the pose.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)

The decision is fairly simple once the parameters are clearly defined. The problem is, there are no guidelines. The annual Heisman Trophy ballot states: "I hereby designate (insert name, college) as my first choice to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy awarded to the outstanding college football player for 2005."

It doesn't say anything about being the guy who is the most valuable, the guy with the best numbers, the guy whose team is ranked the highest, the guy who had clutch performances in big games or the guy from the toughest conference.

The fine folks at the Downtown Athletic Club leave all that bickering and bellyaching to each individual voter. Which, when you think about it, is why the Heisman is the most coveted individual award in sports.

That said, I'm going with Texas quarterback Vince Young. In four short months, I've gone from someone who didn't think Young could throw consistently to save his life to someone who looks more foolish with each of Young's perfectly thrown deep balls.

There isn't a more dangerous player in college football than Young when he breaks containment or when he runs the read option. But to take the next step in his maturation and for Texas to reach its national championship potential, Young had to become a prolific passer.

And that's what the Heisman is all about: a player developing into an elite performer while carrying his team on a memorable championship ride. For all that Mack Brown has accomplished in Austin--all those wins, all those star players, all those high NFL draft picks--he is on the verge of winning his first conference championship in 22 years as a head coach and winning Texas' first national title since 1970. And all because of one player.

Sure, Texas has budding young stars in tailback Jamaal Charles and wide receivers Billy Pittman and Limas Sweed, and its tough defense is molded by Gene Chizik, the game's best coordinator. But without Young--without his dynamic running ability and refined passing skills--the Longhorns would be 9-2 and playing in a Big 12 championship game that no one outside the league would care about.