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There’s a reason Buddhists describe life as a circle: everything is interconnected, perfectly symmetrical. The rise is the fall is the rise again; success is never far from failure. This elegant symmetry is clearly not lost on us at Champ & Chump of the Week: last Friday, we had former co-offensive coordinators on opposite sides of the Champ/Chump spectrum; this edition, we have representatives from the two sides of a thrilling 29-28 coin. Let’s get on to it.

Champ: Case Keenum

Arguably the University of Houston’s best QB since Andre Ware, Keenum has thrust himself into the Heisman debate thanks to a 430-yard performance in a 29-28 win over Texas Tech. The Cougars have now won two games against Big XII South teams – the other was an early September win at then-#5 Oklahoma – and are in decent position to earn a BCS Bowl bid and top-10 ranking. Despite a 2008 campaign in which he tossed the pigskin for over 5,000 yards and 44 scores (not to mention an additional totaling an additional seven TDs on the ground), the junior remained in relative anonymity until more heralded quarterbacks began dropping like flies. Assuming he stays healthy, Case should be the rare mid-major player invited to the Heisman ceremony at the end of the year.

Courtesy www.heismanpundit.com

Honorable Mention: Tiger Woods, Justin Verlander, Michael Vick

Chump: Mike Leach

My, how times have changed for Leach and his Texas Tech Red Raiders. A season ago, Tech and its “Guns Up” slogan pulled a thrilling upset over #1 Texas at home en route to achieving a #2 ranking – highest in school history. In 2009, though, Tech is already 2-2 after losing in Houston last Saturday. But Leach makes this list for a reason besides his underachieving team: the coach famous for his obsession with pirates recently banned his players from using Twitter after comments on the social networking site from two Red Raiders. Offensive lineman Brandon Carter admitted on his page, “This is not how I saw our season,” while linebacker Marlon Williams questioned his attendance of a team meeting when, “the head coach can’t even be on time.” Not only does Tech’s ship appear to be sinking, but now Leach has a mutiny to deal with, too. Somebody had better notify him that there’s a fine line between endearing eccentric and oddball loser.

Courtesy espn.com

Honorable Mention: Jevan Snead and Jacory Harris Heisman hopes, Penn State and Cal football, Washington Redskins