Teddy Bridgewater is CBSSports.com's Big East Offensive Player of the Year

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was the Big East's best in 2012. (US Presswire)

If the 2012 season were to fit into a perfect narrative, the appraisal of Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would require a bilateral examination. One would weigh Bridgewater's production prior to a midseason game with Cincinnati -- the one where Bearcats now-backup quarterback Munchie Legaux famously proclaimed himself better than Bridgewater -- and his performances thereafter.

There was a change, you see, once the giant within Bridgewater was awakened by the chatty, plucky Cincinnati quarterback.

That's the Disney script, at least.

In reality, the unflappable sophomore was sensational throughout the season -- dominant, at times -- leading the Big East in efficiency and touchdowns, and becoming the CBSSports.com Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Six times did Bridgewater exceed 300 yards, and he never had a game where he completed fewer than half his passes.

But Bridgewater saved his best for last. With important body parts sprained and broken, Bridgewater threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns at Rutgers -- the league's best defense -- with a BCS berth on the line. It was his most impressive performance in a season filled with highlights for Bridgewater, who was named Big East offensive player of the week for his efforts.

(ESPN video)

Bridgewater rightfully received accolades and praise for his efforts in the finale, but his season-long production is nothing to dismiss. Second in the league in yards per game and tops in touchdowns with 25, Bridgewater was also the Big East's most efficient quarterback. He improved his ball security -- just seven picks -- as well, something that dogged him somewhat as a freshman when he threw 12 interceptions.

Speaking of which, Bridgewater is only a sophomore. It's hard to imagine him improving significantly, but if he does there could be Heisman talk surrounding the quarterback in his third year.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.