Peter Warrick was not a Heisman Trophy finalist for top-ranked Florida State.

That could have an impact when the Seminoles and Hokies battle it out for the national championship on Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl, says Chris Fowler, host of ESPN's coverage of the Heisman ceremony. During his special Heisman chat with ESPN.com users, Fowler said the Heisman snub of Warrick, who had off-the-field problems and missed two games, will motivate the Seminoles.

"Peter was a little hot this week, but he'll get over it," Fowler said. "It will provide extra motivation in the Sugar Bowl, and the Seminole defenders have noticed that Vick got more votes than Warrick. That will only make them more motivated."

An edited transcript of Fowler's Dec. 11th chat follows.

Chuck Schumann: Chris, I am a student at Virginia Tech and love it that Michael Vick was selected instead of Peter Warwick. But, don't you think Thomas Jones was a more worthy replacement? He is a senior and deserves way more recognition than he gets on a below-average Virginia team.

Chris Fowler: Obviously a lot of voters felt Vick was deserving despite being a freshman. Let's face it, he was a pretty rare freshman. I wouldn't presume to tell people what they should and shouldn't consider on their ballot. Thomas Jones had a great career but never captured enough attention outside of the ACC.

Lee: Do you think Ron Dayne will win based on what he did this season or will it be for what he did his college career?

Chris Fowler: I think it will be a combination. He had a record-setting career, it takes something spectacular like a big milestone to win the Heisman as a running back -- 2,000 yards, or the all-time record. All things considered, his senior season was his best.

MMac: What is your prediction for the winner of the Heisman Award?

Chris Fowler: I'd be shocked if Dayne didn't win. To me the only question is the margin, and seeing how they finish two through eight is interesting to me.

Adam Van Deusen: Chris, do you think any of the Heisman candidates have a future in the NFL?

Chris Fowler: It's easy to me to say as a college fan, I think Joe Hamilton should get a try at quarterbacking in the NFL; Chad Pennington is rated the top quarterback prospect for the next draft heading into the postseason games; I think Dayne is definitely a solid NFL player. Brees and Vick are not going into this year's draft. Down the line, Vick could be an all-pro.

Craig Hoffman: Do you forsee any defensive players winning the Heisman in the future, or is the award going to remain on the offensive side of the ball for some time to come?

Chris Fowler: A purely defensive player would have to have a purely spectacular season, his team lead the nation in defense, and be in the national title game, and also be a down year for offensive stars. Woodson was a defensive player, but his all-around talents won him the Heisman.

Jason McPherson: Do you feel that the Heisman is as prestigious as it once was, or has it lost it's luster with the commercialism and hype of today's media?

Chris Fowler: To me it hasn't lost luster. It depends on your feel for the award. If you appreciate the history of the sport, If you can sit in the room when the trophy is presented and the former winners are there, you would say it is as special as ever. But the Heisman is an easy target, and people will always bash it.

Lawrence: Do you think Eric Crouch can win the Heisman in the future?

Chris Fowler: Is it possible for Crouch to win the Heisman? Sure. I don't like to predict that kind of thing for guys. But he is just tapping his potential and Nebraska is always in the title hunt, so sure he's a possibility.

Tyler: What do you think Shaun Alexander's chances would be to be in New York and win the Heisman if he had not missed two games due to injury?

Chris Fowler: Shaun had great momentum, but 'Bama lost to Tennessee, then he missed the Southern Mississippi game, and most folks turned their attention elsewhere. He had two excellent games against the Gators. I think he's a great young man. Alabama fans are off-base when they claim a regional bias. Each Heisman region has the same number of media voters, 145. There are often a number of strong candidates from the south, so it tends to divide the votes. The Downtown Athletic Club and ESPN have nothing to do with who the five finalists are. It's based purely on the accounting firm's vote tally as of last Monday, just as it is every year.

Sean King: Do you think if Arrington stays his senior year he will have a shot at the Heisman?

Chris Fowler: My feeling is he'll come out after playing a great Alamo Bowl game, but if he returns, he's the kind of player with the flash to be a serious contender on defense, if Penn State collectively has one of the nation's top defenses. That's a big if, with the seniors they lose, as well as defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Joe: Is Drew Brees a lock next year to be in New York?

Chris Fowler: No - there are no Heisman locks. Purdue again has a very tough schedule, and Brees has set a high standard for himself. If he plays like he's capable, he should be among the front-runners. Obviously Vick as a sophomore is no lock either. Tech loses a lot of key players, and could have a tough time following up a perfect regular season.

Paul: Why is Chris Weinke not mentioned for the Heisman? He has lost one game in his career and the Noles looked terrible when he didn't play last year. FSU proved they could win without Warrick, I don't think they could win without Chris.

Chris Fowler: Weinke doesn't get enough credit. He's not flashy or terribly athletic, and that causes him to be underrated, but I agree he is the most important player on Florida State's team, by a mile. His performance at the Swamp was superb. What a great contrast in the championship game, a 27 year old and a 19 year old at quarterback.

Trevor: Do you think Major Applewhite should be considered a Heisman candidate going into next season?

Chris Fowler: I respect Major Applewhite's guts and heart, but I think he'll have a battle to win the starting job next year from Chris Simms. Texas has a pretty balanced offense, so it's tough for a quarterback to contend for the Heisman unless his team is in the national title hunt, so Texas needs to make good on a preseason ranking that will be in the top five.

Dilliard: Do you think off-the-field performance is important?

Chris Fowler: I think that's in the mind of each voter. Some consider it very important, others believe it doesn't matter much. The Heisman has no criteria spelled out about off-the-field problems, but no Heisman winner I can think of ever missed a couple of games his Heisman season for suspension. Angelo Bertelli of Notre Dame missed four games at the end of his Heisman season, but he was called to active military duty in World War II. That's a little different.

Curious Nole: Do you think Peter Warrick is a victim of extreme media backlash, considering Randy Moss was invited to the Heisman ceremony two years ago? After all, Moss was kicked out of two schools (including FSU, what irony!) due to off-the-field exploits.

Chris Fowler: First of all, no two cases are the same. Warrick's crime was not a serious one, in my mind, but it occurred during the middle of his Heisman season. It was just a poor decision, not a heinous crime, but it took him off the field for two key games and caused a disruption to his team. In that way, he let down his teammates, and he knows it. Many voters ruled him out for that. Maybe they were being a little harsh. But each voter has to determine his or her own criteria. Peter was a little hot this week, but he'll get over it. It will provide extra motivation in the Sugar Bowl, and the Seminole defenders have noticed that Vick got more votes than Warrick. That will only make them more motivated.

Thanks for logging in, we'll talk to you from New Orleans, hope you have a great Christmas. And we hope you will join us for the Heisman Show, even though there's not much suspense, we think it will be a nice salute to all five finalists.