Joey Johnston

Two months ago, I didn’t think it was possible. And now? It might be inevitable.

Somewhere, Archie Griffin is hearing footsteps.

Yes, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow deserves to win another Heisman Trophy. A victory against top-ranked Alabama in the SEC championship game, complete with a Tebow-like statistical assault should be enough to validate the case.

How tough is it to repeat?

In college football’s national-championship race, it’s highly improbable.

In college football’s Heisman Trophy race, it’s downright impossible.

For one thing, the Heisman winner is either a senior or an underclassman dashing off to the NFL. Tebow increased his odds by becoming the award’s first sophomore recipient. But really, did you think this repeat could happen?

Conventional thinking: Tebow’s 2007 outrageous statistics (32 touchdown passes, just six interceptions and a mind-bending 23 rushing touchdowns) would not be duplicated.

True.

Conventional thinking: The 2008 Heisman field would be especially crowded.

True.

Big 12 quarterbacks saw to that. With Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, Texas’ Colt McCoy and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell — who could’ve imagined Missouri’s Chase Daniel NOT on that list? — there hasn’t been a lightweight in the bunch.

The Heisman, of course, is mostly about statistics (that’s why offensive skill-position players generally win the award).

But it’s also about moments.

For Tebow, there was one moment in particular.

It was Sept. 27 in Gainesville — Ole Miss 31, Florida 30. Nobody saw that one coming, particularly the manner of defeat. The Rebels blocked an extra-point attempt. With the game on the line, Tebow was stopped on fourth-and-short.

Afterward, his eyes still red with tears, Tebow began an emotional postgame address. He apologized to Gator fans for failing to deliver one of his goals, the school’s first unbeaten season.

Then the words came spilling out.

“I promise you one thing. A lot of good will come out of this. You have never seen any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season. And you will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season. And you will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season.’’

Special feature Boomer Sooner Check out Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman winner Sam Bradford in action. NBCSports.com

Everybody talks in sports these days.

Many statements are contrived, made with the camera in mind.

These were words from the heart. Tebow has lived up to them — every single day.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a better leader,’’ said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, after absorbing a 45-15 home spanking from the Gators on Saturday.

What has Tebow done?

He has 2,515 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, two interceptions — along with 564 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

Believe it or not, Tebow is a much better quarterback, even after taking a small step backward statistically. Last season, Tebow was the offense. If he didn’t get it done, it wasn’t going to happen. But even he couldn’t prevent a four-loss season.

Special feature Texas gunslinger Check out quarterback Colt McCoy in action. NBCSports.com

Now Tebow is utilizing all his weapons — particularly the likes of Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, who resemble three-quarters of an Olympic relay team — and his impact is far greater.

The money stat: The Gators outscored seven Football Bowl Subdivision opponents down the stretch, 375-98.

You will never see a team play harder.

Look, this is a formidable Heisman class, even if you don’t go past the Big 12 quarterbacks.

Bradford has 4,464 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, six interceptions — along with the spectacular head-over-heels effort, trying to reach the end zone against Oklahoma State.

McCoy has 3,445 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, seven interceptions — along with a team-leading 576 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Harrell has 4,747 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, seven interceptions — and he led a victory against Baylor despite two broken fingers on his non-throwing hand.

But Tebow’s season has resonated, especially after the Gators morphed from bitter disappointment to focused destruction.

It has been a year to remember. The turning point will be remembered as the moment when Tebow put his team on his shoulders.

It was a Heisman moment.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record CFT: Iowa’s Stanzi could return for bowl game CFT: Meyer says Florida ‘lacking the big hits’ Tribe stops school from dropping nickname   Vote: Which is the best conference? CFT: Mystery over for No. 5 Cincinnati — Pike will sit Iowa-Ohio St. in-depth video preview, analysis College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: