Handicapping the Heisman (with a Buckeye slant)

It's still early but many football writers are already weighing in on who will win the Heisman.  And if a player isn't already somewhere on their radar they probably have no chance of winning no matter how well they play the last two-thirds of the season.

Although no Buckeye appears high on the list it is a very interesting discussion because there are two candidates who could become repeat winners and threaten Archie Griffin's college football immortality.  Additionally there is an Ohioan that is quickly climbing up everyone's list.

So, let me briefly run through the top contenders, throw in a pretender, and then tell you who you ought to cheer for:
 
Main Contenders:
 
Tim Tebow - The guy is a beast and a class act to boot.  Hard to cheer against him but I'm an Archie fan (who has a No. 45 autographed football and mini helmet to prove it).  Certainly his concussion Saturday night is a concern and may cause Tebow to miss some action.  In addition his rushing stats are really more impressive than his passing numbers.  Still, don't bet against him!  Odds: 3 to 1

Sam Bradford - His early season injury pretty much derailed his hopes of repeating as the Heisman Trophy winner.  Odds: 30 to 1

Jimmy Clausen - The media loves him and he plays for Notre Dame, so he has that going for him!  But I think the Irish will lose at least two more games and that could hurt.  Besides he just seems annoying! Odds: 10 to 1

Tony Pike:  Here is your Ohio boy, from Reading, OH, and the Universtiy of Cincinnati.  He is hitting 70 percent of his passes, has an 11-2 TD to int. ratio and has led him team into the big time.  He is the true Cinderella story...but good luck getting enough media coverage to win.  Odds: 7 to 1

Jahvid Best - The only non QB on my list, he has game but no one seems to notice...and Cal got smoked last week.  Odds: 12 to 1

Case Keenum - The QB from Houston plays in the perfect system to put up huge numbers and boy is he lighting up the scoreboard, averaging nearly 400 yards per game.  He also led the Cougars to a big victory over Oklahoma State.  His schedule is soft and could allow him to post incredible statistics. But some voters may never see him play.  Hard to win if you aren't in one of the big six conferences. Odds: 6 to 1

Colt McCoy - He has an incredible career resume, plays for one of the best teams in the nation, and is the only one of the three preseason favorites to stay healthy thus far. But he hasn't put up great numbers yet, and has been plagued by five interceptions.  Still he has the "big" games coming up with the nation watching and is the favorite in my book. Odds: 2 to 1

The Pretender:

ESPN staff writer Ryan McCrystal and Pete Fiutak of Scout.com have suggested this week that Tate Forcier is climbing up the list and is a legitimate candidate.  Please!  I know his team is 4-0 and he has been great in the clutch.  But who exactly has Michigan played?  Talk to me after they take on Iowa, Penn State and Ohio State.  Until then it's too early to enshrine the skinny kid from California. 

Who to Root for:

Colt McCoy.  I know, I know, he plays for Texas and defeated the Bucks last year with a heartbreaking last second touchdown pass.  But he has the best chance of keeping Tebow from repeating, and that means Archie will still be the only two-time Heisman winner from THE Ohio State University!