"It's kind of nice now to be able to kind of let you guys know how I am a little bit more," he said. "There's so many question marks out there."
This is certain: Manziel is poised to become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. He's the front-runner in the straw polls conducted by Heismanpundit.com and ESPN.
He'll benefit from the fact that there are no serious Heisman candidates playing for Alabama or Georgia in the biggest game of the weekend.
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron saw his Heisman chances vanish with that late interception in a loss to Texas A&M. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray has put up great numbers, but played poorly in the Bulldogs' big games against South Carolina and Florida.
Collin Klein and Kansas State play this Saturday against Texas, trying to sew up a Big 12 title. Klein threw three picks in a loss to Baylor to relinquish Heisman front-runner status to Manziel, but a great game against the Longhorns could tighten the race again. Robert Griffin III sealed up his Heisman last year by lighting up the Longhorns in the season finale.
If you're looking for a player who could make a final statement capable of changing the Heisman race, keep an eye on Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones. He's one of the best players in the country and is capable of having the type of game that forces voters to rethink their ballots the way former Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh did when he wrecked Texas back in 2009.
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QUICK HITS
— It has no BCS implications, but the Sun Belt championship will be decided in Jonesboro, Ark., on Saturday when Middle Tennessee (8-3, 6-1) faces Arkansas State (8-3, 6-1). Both will be heading to bowl games.
— With the hirings and firings at this time of year also comes the squelching of speculation and rumors. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher and Boise State's Chris Petersen spent part of their Mondays batting aside questions about other jobs.
— Yes, if things break a certain way this weekend, the Orange Bowl could be Kent State against Georgia Tech.
— Speaking of the MAC, Kent State plays Northern Illinois in an intriguing conference title game that could also impact the Heisman Trophy race. Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch is third in the nation in total offense at 363 yards per game, 20 less than Manziel. Lynch is more bullish and less elusive than Manziel as a runner, but every bit as effective with 10 straight 100-yard games.
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LAST WORD
"How long does he have?" — Former Colorado coach Jon Embree when asked if the next coach of the Buffaloes can turn the program around.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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