Heisman Trophy Hopefuls

OK, by now we all know that Alabama RB Mark Ingram won the 2010 Heisman Trophy, but here is how it should have played out.

Heisman TrophyThe Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the best player in college football, but we all know it's a popularity contest. If you are from a small school and/or play a non glamorous position you have little chance of winning, so here are the real rankings.

And the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner is…
By Raúl Colón
rcolonfrias@yahoo.com

Every year experts around the nation began profiling their Heisman candidates as early as August. Most of their analysis usually starts with ‘this is an open field’, which in many cases was true, but not this year.

Coming into the 2010 college football season, a player has risen above the field in terms of popularity and recognition. Add to the mix the fact that he is the leader of arguable the best team in the nation, and all the ingredients are there for a successful Heisman campaign.

There are other worthy candidates however. In fact, at least seven players have a legitimate shot at the trophy this fall, but Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor is the heavy favorite coming in.

Here’s the look at the entire 2010 Heisman Trophy candidate field.

  1. QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Although most have compared the athletic 6-foot-6 Pryor to former Texas Longhorn signal caller Vince Young, the most accurate comparison would with the Buckeyes’ own Troy Smith.

Like Smith, Pryor came to Columbus as a highly recruited prep star and like the 2006 Heisman winner, he struggled somewhat to meet the high expectations during his first two years at the helm of the Ohio State offense. But unlike Smith, who blossomed in his final year, Pryor has a chance to redeem himself during his junior season.

The Buckeyes figure to be the class of a diluted Big Ten which means that a Rose Bowl berth is probable and if they manage to defeat a talented but inconsistent Miami, Fla. team on September 11, there’s a better-than-average chance the team will finish undefeated and on top of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings, which usually translates into a ton of Heisman votes

Pros: Possibility of an undefeated season with a championship run.
Cons: The talent is there, but so far he hasn’t taken over, with the exception of the 2010 Rose Bowl, as the team undisputable leader.

  1. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Could another Sooner sophomore quarterback win the Heisman? The answer is yes. Jones demonstrated last fall that he is almost as talented as former Oklahoma great, Sam Bradford. Jones showed flashes of greatness when he outplayed the more highly touted Andrew Luck (Stanford) during the 2009 Sun Bowl.

Oklahoma’s offensive line should be one of the best in the conference and the running game could be the best the school has fielded this decade. But the biggest asset Jones has is wide out Ryan Broyles. The 5-foot-11 All American candidate is arguable the most explosive outside player in the nation.

Pros: Pass-happy offense and a realistic shot at an undefeated campaign.
Cons: The Big 12 tends to dilute good passers. Needs to be great all the time in order to shed the ‘system-label’.

  1. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

This could be a season of first for the Broncos. They are in a perfect position to become the first non-BCS team to play for the national championship since BYU did it 26 years ago. If that’s happens it will be mostly because of Moore’s ability and leadership.

If he was playing in a BCS conference, like the SEC or Big 12, he would have probably won the trophy already. He is that good.

Unlike the other two candidates, Moore’s fortunes rest mostly on one game. If he has a super outing against Virginia Tech, and the Broncos come out on top, his candidacy will take off dramatically.

Pros: His team is poised to make a serious run at the title. Something no WAC team has done since the 1984 BYU Cougars. The press love Boise State, so reviews will be mostly favorite.
Cons: Need his team to run the table for any realistic shot at the trophy.

  1. RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

Any player that rushes for 1,655 yards on a team with a talented running QB (Tyrod Taylor) and another superstar runner (Darren Evens) is worth considering for the award. No Hokie star had carried the Heisman home back to Blacksburg, not even Michael Vick. But Williams, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, is a special player.

He will get the tough inside yards as easily as he would explode for the big run outside. The Hokies are a running team and will certainly feature Williams all season long, meaning that another 1,500 year campaign is almost assured.

But for him to gather Heisman votes, two things need to happen. First, Virginia Tech must remain in championship contention all year long, a very distinct possibility, and secondly, he needs at least two big (230+) national televised games.

If he pulls out those two, Williams could be hoisting the Heisman come December.

Pros: A tremendous talent on a national-championship contender.
Cons: Virginia Tech hasn’t always lived up to potential.

  1. QB Christian Ponder, Florida State

NFL scouts love this pocket passer and with good reason. He has all the tools to succeed at the next level. Can he translate that ability into a season for the ages in Tallahassee?

He certainly is capable of it and more. Florida State figures to be among the best teams in the always intriguing ACC. He was the best offensive line in the conference and his receivers are capable playmakers. If he remains health, last year he was lost after nine games due to injury, Ponder will put Heisman-type numbers.

Add to the mix, the sentimental votes he should received from traditional Heisman voters who would throw their support behind the man they view as responsible from getting the Seminoles back on top, and a trip to New York is all but guarantee.

Pros: Florida State could surprise and be among the top five teams in the nation by November thus ensuring Ponder of some sentimental Heisman votes.
Cons: Health issues. Can he stay up right for the entire year?

Contenders

  1. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

Last year’s Heisman winner need a better statistical season than 2009 in order just to be in the middle of the conversation. Is tough to repeat, plain and simple. Alabama figures to be in the national title hunt all year, so exposure shouldn’t be a problem.

His best chance could be to have two or three monster games and then hope for one of the top contenders to falter.

Pros: already won the award. Is playing for a title contender.
Cons: Tim Tebow did not do it for a reason. It's tough to repeat.

  1. QB Andy Dalton, TCU

Probably the Dark Horse of the field. Dalton is a gem of a passer who is in full control of the Horned Frogs high-octane offense. Last year he posted a 23-8 TD-Interception ratio, a repeat performance, coupled with the real possibility of a TCU championship run, makes him an attractive candidate.

Pros: Cinderella story on a very good team.
Cons: Kellen Moore and the ‘one loss and you are out’ problem.

  1. RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

For the past two years, Rodgers had teased us with his speed and game-changing ability, but if he keeps it up in 2010 and with the Beavers having a legitimate opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl, a trip to the Downtown Athletic Club could be in the offers.

  1. QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

He is one of the top rated passers in college football and a sure fire first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He also leads one of the most explosives offenses in the nation. The main problem with his candidacy is that Arkansas should be a middle-of-road SEC team, not a powerhouse. But if the Razorbacks are able to pull one or two upsets, he could be right in the mix.

  1. QB Jacory Harris, Miami, Fla.

One of the most elegant deep throwers in the game, Harris could vault more than a few spots in this list with monster game against Ohio State.

Bear watching:

  1. RB Evan Royster, Penn State

Royster is just 480 yards short of eclipsing the venerable Curt Warner as Penn State’s top all time rusher. If he pulls a 1,500+ yards campaign and the Nittany Lions managed to with the Big 10, anything is possible.

  1. QB Case Keenum, Houston

Statisticaly, no one would touch the Cougar signal caller. The problem is that aside the team’s finale against Texas Tech, he will post those numbers against mostly non-BCS programs.

  1. QB Matt Barkley, USC

An interesting candidate for the Heisman Trophy because he is playing for a banned postseason team. His only shot will come if USC turns the tables and finishs undefeated and is the clear top team in the nation by November. Both big ifs.

  1. RB Noel Devine, West Virginia

Never underestimate a talented back on a team that should exceed expectations.

  1. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

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Looking for more Heisman Trophy coverage? Have you heard about the Curse of the Heisman Trophy?