Trophy Watching

Heisman Candidates

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide, Junior

2010 stats: 112 carries, 700 yards, 6 TD

And a runningback shall lead them.  Crimson Tide RB Trent Richardson looks poised to follow in former backfield mate Mark Ingram’s shoes as a Heisman winner.  A complete package of strength and speed, Richardson will be the horse the pulls the Bama buggy right into the championship game.  With Ingram off to the NFL, Richardson is the lone horse in the stable now and should put up the stats in the toughest conference to be a finalist and eventual winner.

EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State, Junior

2010 stats: 69.9%, 861 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT

Florida State will challenge for a BCS bowl and possibly a national championship, which will give Manuel the stage to put on a Heisman performance.  A skew towards quarterbacks could even push favour his way if the Seminoles are as a good as they can be.  Manuel got a bit of experience last year and looked pretty good, but with an off-season as the leader of this team he’s poised to breakout.

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma, Junior

2010 stats: 65.6%, 4,718 yards, 38 TD, 12 INT

Jones is one of the nation’s most productive passers on one of the nation’s most consistent teams.  Just saying “Sooner’s starting QB” carries Heisman implications.  Maybe next year.  I’m on record believing that Texas A&M will go to Oklahoma and win in Norman, which will basically kill Jones’ trophy chances.  He’ll be in the discussion and could still be a finalist.

Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina, Sophomore

2010 stats: 249 carries, 1,197 yards, 17 TD

Lattimore is a monster who burst onto the scene last year as SC`s freshman rushing record fell by more than 300 yards.  The Gamecocks are handing the team over to fellow sophomore Connor Shaw at QB which could give Lattimore the bulk of the offensive responsibility.  If he`s up to it and South Carolina goes to the SEC championship, Lattimore could pull off the win.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

2010 stats: 71.3%, 3,845 yards, 35 TD, 6 INT

A winner, Moore is 38-2 in three years as BSU’s starter.  He’s put up fantastic numbers and won bowl games.  He was 4^th in voting last year.  That’s about where he’ll be again this year.  A win in Atlanta against Georgia to open the year could make him an early leader in the race but the trophy will go to someone in national title contention.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2010 stats: 70.7%, 3,332 yards, 32 TD, 8 INT

Will either need to put up sick numbers or lead the Cardinal to the national title game.  He is hands down the best QB in the nation but his team just won’t do enough to get him that trophy. 

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

2010 stats: 294 carries, 1,731 yards, 21 TD

Much like Luck, James is a victim of his own success as he’ll be expected to match or improve his numbers from 2010.  1,700 yards and 21 TDs will be tough to duplicate.  Oregon will be in the title hunt but if they don`t get their James` chances will be hurt.