With college football season kicking off in two weeks, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will begin his defense of the Heisman Trophy and try to become only the second player in NCAA history to win the prestigious award more than once in his career. 

Ohio State's Archie Griffin has been the only player to accomplish this feat, doing so in the 1974 and 1975 seasons.  Tebow will once again be a contender this year for the Heisman, but by no means is he a favorite to repeat. 

Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells, Florida's Percy Harvin and Georgia's offensive dynamic duo of quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno complete the field along with Tebow as the early favorites to win the 2008 Heisman Trophy.  Here is a breakdown of the candidates to put Tebow's repeat campaign to a halt.

 

Georgia QB Matthew Stafford

Stafford enters his junior season knowing his role on the team and when to step up and lead the team and when to manage the game.  Stafford was vastly improved as a sophomore, throwing 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions compared to his freshman campaign, where he threw 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. 

With the emergence of teammate Knowshon Moreno as a game breaker in the backfield, Stafford's numbers should see even more improvement with defenses putting more guys in the box to stop the run and not allow Moreno to run wild.

A big year from Stafford could make him become an early entrant into the 2009 NFL Draft next spring and could lead his team to the national championship and have himself hoisting the Heisman in December. 

 

Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno

The red-shirt sophomore Moreno's biggest problem in this race could come from teammate Matthew Stafford if he leads Georgia to the title game this winter.  Moreno is coming off of a stellar 2007 campaign where he had a breakout year and emerged as a guy that give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.  

Moreno is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the pigskin, and he will be touching it more in 2008, so beware.  Knowshon has begun fielding punt and kick returns in practice, and coach Mark Richt is expecting to use Moreno as a kick returner this season as well.

 

Florida WR Percy Harvin

Harvin's biggest problem, like Knowshon Moreno, could be the success of his do-everything quarterback Tim Tebow.  If Tebow has another 20 run, 20 pass touchdown year again in 2008 it will be hard for him to muster up attention and steal the spotlight from Tebow down in Gainesville. 

Harvin is an all-around athlete who sometimes lines up as a tailback in Urban Meyer's offense.  He has worked very hard this off-season and added 13 pounds to his 5-foot-11 frame.

 

Ohio State RB Chris Wells

Wells is the brightest star in an Ohio State offense that has many.  OSU runs a balanced attack that features highly skilled wide receivers as well.  Ohio State's biggest test this season comes in the form of USC on Sept. 13.

If Wells has a big game and Ohio State leaves Los Angeles victorious, then Wells and the Buckeyes could be bringing some serious hardware back to Columbus with them. 

 

In a very competitive race to the Heisman Trophy finish line this year, expect to see one of the Bulldogs' offensive stars, Matthew Stafford or Knowshon Moreno, take home the trophy this year.  Georgia has arguably the best offense in the nation this year, with 8 returning starters from last year. 

With big tests coming in the form of Tennessee, Florida, LSU and Arizona State, Stafford and Moreno will have a national stage to show their skills and lead their team to the promise land with millions of people watching and earn some personal accolades on the way as well.