College Football 2011: Andrew Luck and the Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award in all of college football. You win it, and your life will change forever as you enter a group of elite players.

Lately quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning nine of the last 11 years. No freshman has ever won and neither has a player from Oregon. Can LaMichael James change that?

There are a lot of talented college football players, but only a handful have a chance to win the Heisman.

Here are your top five candidates to win the Heisman.

Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

Teammate Mark Ingram won the award in 2009, and many believe junior Trent Richardson is an even better running back than Ingram. The 5'11", 220-pound back has a scary combination of incredible vision, size and speed.

The quarterback position at Alabama isn't exactly settled, so Richardson may get more of a workload this year. Last season he rushed for 700 yards on just 112 carries with 11 total touchdowns. Imagine his numbers when he is given more opportunities.

There is no question Richardson is one of the top backs in the country and will be great at the next level. But behind one of the best offensive lines in football, he could become the second player ever at Alabama to bring home the Heisman Trophy.

LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)

LaMichael James is one of the fastest running backs in the country, so it doesn't hurt being in the offense that Oregon runs. Last season James rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns, which was good for the Doak Walker award and a third-place finish in Heisman voting.

The Oregon Ducks will score a ton of points just like they did last season, and James is the centerpiece behind the whole thing. He should have ridiculous stats again this season to lead the Ducks to the top of a solid Pac-12. 

If James doesn't become the first Duck to win the award it won't be because he wasn't good enough—it will be because one of the next three quarterbacks had a slightly better season.

Kellen Moore, QB (Boise State)

Kellen Moore has been dominating the competition since he stepped on the field at Boise State. Entering his senior season, he was thrown for almost 11,000 yards, 99 touchdowns and has completed 68 percent of his passes. 

Moore has been consistent throughout his career, and with him leading the way, the Broncos are always the best non-AQ school out there. The main thing that will hurt his chances at the Heisman is the same thing that hurts the Broncos as a team every year: the lack of competition they play.

You take two players who both have great stats, but one has played cupcakes all season while the other is playing the cream of the crop every week, which player would you pick?

Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

The junior quarterback could have left last season and been the first overall pick in the NFL draft. Instead he is leading a Standford team that isn't exactly stacked with talent and a new head coach.

It's pretty clear Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in college football and could be the best pro prospect at the position since possibly Peyton Manning.

Luck was the runner-up last season to Cam Newton, but should be the overwhelming favorite heading into the regular season this year. He is a fantastic quarterback and will put up great numbers. The showdown against Oregon on Nov. 12 may be the deciding factor on who wins the award.

Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

Landry Jones may not be as talented as Andrew Luck, but he definitely has more weapons on his team. Jones is throwing to arguably the best receiving corps in college football, including the best wide receiver in Ryan Broyles. 

Jones had off-the-chart numbers last season, including 4,718 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns. If his numbers are anywhere near that this season, it'd be really hard to deny him the Heisman.

Oklahoma is also a legitimate National Championship contender this season, which also doesn't hurt. With all the receivers for Jones to throw to, he could become the sixth Sooner to win the award and second in three years.