The TCU Heisman campaign for halfback LaDainian “LT” Tomlinson and his Heisman Run might be an indicator of how many yards the star running back will gain this season (remember, he ran for 1,850 last season).

Or it could simply mean that the 2000 season is the year of the Frogs. For the second year in a row, TCU has been named the favorite in the Western Athletic Conference football media poll.

Coach Fran and company earned 206 points and 16 first-place votes from media members, nearly three times the number of first-place votes garnered by second-place pick Fresno State. Hawaii was picked third, Rice fourth, followed by SMU, UTEP, Nevada, Tulsa and San Jose State.

The media also voted LaDainian Tomlinson as the offensive player of the year and Frog defensive end Aaron Schobel as the defensive player of the year. Tomlinson also earned first-team All-America status from Athlon, Playboy, Football News, The Sporting News, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Blue Ribbon, Street and Smith and Preview Sports:

“He’s as hard to catch as his name is to spell. He’s the best-kept secret in college football.” — Ron Franklin, ESPN

“It is nice to know that Heisman Candidate LaDainian Tomlinson can run for 400 yards in a game if he wants to; it’s even nicer to know that he doesn’t have to for the Horned Frogs to win.” — Lindy’s Magazine

“If TCU’s tailback can advance one more rung, he will be mentioned in the same breath as All-Stars, All-Pros and — just maybe — Heisman winners.” — Dave Campbell, Texas Football