Tim Tebow should start on top of everybody's Preseason Heisman lists, even though it'll be a lot harder for him to win it last year. Matt Ryan was the midseason favorite before interceptions and some inconsistancy cost BC games against FSU and Maryland. Dennis Dixon would've certainly won if he had been able to keep up what he was doing after the Arizona St. game, but alas he got hurt. Darren McFadden wasn't really putting up specatcular stats throughout the entire season, expect for the two games against LSU and South Carolina. So Tebow won it, and he had great stats and was an excellent choice to win it, too bad I don't think he'll win it this year.
1. Tim Tebow-The defending Heisman Winner will try to become the first player since Archie Griffen to win the Heisman two times. This year Tebow's stats won't be as good as last year, because unlike last year Florida should have a consistant running game led by Emmanual Moody and Chris Rainey. Because of this Tebow will not have anywhere close to the amount of rushing touchdowns and his amount rushing yards. His passing yards should be very similar seeing as he returns many of the weapons he had from last year, led by Percy Harvin. Even if Tebow doesn't win it he should still be in the race based on the fact that his team is a national title contendor and because he will still put up good numbers. The game that could make or breaks Tebow's hopes is most likely the game against Georgia in Jacksonville.
2. Chris Wells-Halfway through the season Chris Wells was having a nice season, he was going to rush for over 1,000 yards and the Buckeyes were winning, but all that changed in the 2nd half of the season. In the 2nd half of the year Chris "Beanie" Wells exploded against Michigan State, Penn State and Michigan. He ended the season with over 1500 yards and thus has put him squarely into the Heisman Race. If Chris Wells wants to win the Heisman he'll have to put up numbers similar to 2nd half of the season, instead of the 1st half of the year. Another important part is the Buckeyes have to be in the National Title race and knowing that they return 20 starters they should be again. The final key for Wells to have a shot for the Heisman is that he must come up big when the Buckeyes need him, and he did through most of last year. He'll have a chance to show off his skills on the national stage when OSU plays USC, Wisconsin, PSU and Illinois.
3. Chase Daniel-Last year Chase Daniel had a record breaking season last year throwing for 33 touchdowns last year and for over 4000 yards. It also helped that Missouri was able to win 12 games, with that Daniel was able to be a Heisman Finalist. This year Missouri returns most of their skilled position players from last year, led by Jeromy Maclin and Chase Coffman. The player missing is 1,000 yard rusher Tony Temple so Daniel probably would be able to throw the ball and therefore put up better stats. This year Missouri doesn't have to play Oklahoma this year, but they do travel to play Texas and they start the year with Illinois at home.
4. Pat White-Last year WVU was the Pat White show as Pat White had a great junior year rushed for 1300 yards and throwing for another 1700. With losing his top receiver Darius Reynaud and his running back Steve Slaton, Pat White will have to carry an even greater load then last year, but we saw that even without Slaton they will have a good running back. Just ask Oklahoma, they'd agree with me after the way Devine tore up their defense. The key games for WVU this year that are important for Pat White's Heisman hopes are the mid season game with Auburn in Morgantown and the road game against Pitt.
5. Knowshon Moreno-Knowshon Moreno had a great freshman year last year, helping to lead UGA to a Sugar Bowl victory and a top 5 finish in the polls. Moreno who rushed for 1200 yards last year, was an afterthought early in the year, but after he had a great performance against Florida everybody knew who he was. Expect Moreno to be in the Heisman discussion mainly because his team will be in the national title hunt. Moreno should put up good stats, but don't expect the stats to take your breath away because this year Moreno will have to share the backfield with highly touted freshman Caleb King. Moreno will have a lot of games that he can be in the spotlight, the big games in Georgia's schedule are Arizona State, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and LSU.
6. Sam Bradford-Last year Sam Bradford had the greatest freshman season for a quarterback ever. He was able to throw for over 3000 yards and throw for 36 touchdowns. He was able to lead Oklahoma to a Big XII championship, and despite that he struggled a bit against WVU he still had a great season. Bradford losses one of his top targets in Malcolm Kelley, but returns Joaquin Iglesias and Jermaine Gresham. The big, important games on Oklahoma's schedule for Bradford are the early season matchup with one of last season's best defenses in Cincinnati, Texas and Texas Tech. If Bradford plays well in those games and plays well this season he could make a run at the Heisman.
7. Michael Crabtree-Last year Michael Crabtree had probably the best freshman season for a reciever. He was able to score 22 touchdowns and have over 1900 yards recieving. The amazing part is that his stats will most likely be better this year with the loss of 2nd leading reciever Danny Amendola. Saying that I expect Michael Crabtree to have over 2000 yards recieving and that will surely put him into the Heisman talks, though his stats are a bit inflated by the system Texas Tech runs. The key games for Crabtree's Heisman hopes are road games against Kansas, and Oklahoma, along with a home game against Texas.
8. PJ Hill-Last year PJ Hill had a somewhat down season running for a bit over 1200 yards. The problem for him last year was that he was never really able to get healthy and in reality he only played in 9 games, so considering that 1200 yards was pretty good. The thing that might keep Hill from competing for the Heisman is that he has to share the backfield with 3 really good running backs, but the only thing is PJ should get the most carries and he should still have a chance to get 1500+ yards. The important games for Hill seem to be the back to back night games for Hill at home against Ohio St and Penn St, two teams known for their stingy defense. The only good thing for Wisconsin and PJ Hill about those games, is that they are 20-1 in their past 21 night games, so don't be suprised if Wisconsin is able to win both of those games.
9. Percy Harvin-It'll be very difficult for Percy Harvin to win the Heisman. Having Tim Tebow on your team will do that for you, but he deserves consideration because he is one of the better players in all of college football. Considering what he did last year: He had over 800 yards receiving and over 750 yards rushing.....that's pretty good in itself. This year expect Harvin's running total to go down by a lot with Emmanual Moody and Chris Rainey getting the bulk of the carries, but expect his receiving totals to go up with the loss of their 2nd leading reciever Andre Caldwell. The only way I can really see Harvin winning the Heisman is if he has an amazing game against Georgia and is able put no doubt in anyone's mind in who's the best player on the field. Harvin=great player, but no likely to win the Heisman.
10. Todd Reesing-Yeah, I know Todd Reesing had a great last year and threw for 33 touchdowns and lead a Kansas team to an Orange Bowl win. I also know Kansas returns 16 starters, I also know that Kansas last year wasn't very good, used the BCS System and played a Virginia Tech squad from the weak ACC that had lose by 41 to LSU at the start of the year. Reesing had a great season last year and was able to put up great stats, but let's see how he does against tougher competition. This year Kansas doesn't play an easy schedule like last year and actually finally have some good teams on the schedule. The teams that Kansas play this year that are important for Reesing's Heisman hopes are USF, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Missouri. Kansas fans enjoy that great year last year, because it's not going to happen very often.
Other Heisman Contendors: Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, Todd Boeckman, Graham Harrell, Noel Devine
