NEW YORK (AP) — Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper were just two guys talking football and posing for pictures with a big bronze trophy.

The day before the Heisman Trophy presentation, Gordon, the Wisconsin running back, and Cooper, the Alabama receiver, answered questions about their sensational seasons, their coaches, their chances to upset Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and win college football’s most famous individual award and who might win the national championship.

Cooper wisely passed on making a prediction about how the top-ranked Crimson Tide will do in the College Football Playoff against Ohio State.

Gordon, however, said Friday he’s leaning toward ‘Bama. So much for Big Ten solidarity.

That was about as close to a scandal as you will find at this year’s Heisman ceremony, a welcome departure from recent years for many fans and voters.