I don't think ESPN hates McCoy...that is over the top. All 5 candidates were worthy and it was good to see such a close race. I thought it was likely going to be one of the RB's. My take:
Tebow - knew he would be fifth, already had won it and once he lost SEC Championship game did not see him winning again. Did he win any other major awards?
Suh - darkhorse because of the whole "defensive player" thing. He cleaned up on the defensive awards so if defensive player was going to get it, this was going to be the guy. I think ultimately our 4 losses hurt him (and also hurt Gerhart as his team had 4 losses).
McCoy - I didn't think he deserved it but thought he could get it as sort of a 4 year culmination of everything he accomplished at Texas...glad this did not happen because it really should be about the most outstanding for each year and not a lifetime achievement award.
Gerhart - probably deserved it...his team's 4 losses hurt him.
Ingram - not against him getting it...a close winner which seemed reasonable...I don't think he gets it if Alabama was not undefeated this year and #1. That gave him the edge needed to win this year.
Obviously the "what have you done for me lately" factor played huge. Ingram played horribly against Auburn while McCoy played his best game against Texas A&M. Those games were forgotten the next week when Ingram played huge to upset Florida (defending champs ranked #1) while we made McCoy look pedestrian (voters wondering why couldn't McCoy do anything against a 4 loss NU ranked #22)...plus he needed refs to bail him out of what would have been a devastating play to end 4 years on.
Robert Smith on ESPN News did not think Ingram deserved it. One thing he did say which made me go "wow, I would have never thunk it"....Gerhart in the Pac-10 played against 5 teams ranked in top 40 for rush defense while Ingram in the SEC only played against one (Florida). Thought that was a shocking stat

and puts Gerhart above Ingram for me.
Good race this year!