Heisman Watch 2012: Evaluating Odds for Top Contenders

Through six weeks of the college football season, there have been five players that have stepped up with amazing performances that have resulted in a huge stat line. 

These five players have separated themselves from the rest of the pack by having outstanding games and leading their teams to huge victories. These five men have been the cream that has risen to the top. 

One player in particular has raised the bar so high that he may have already won the trophy in October. 

However, these other players may be worth a wager from you, as they could upset our top guy on the list as I predict what their odds would be after six weeks of football.

RB Stefphon Jefferson Nevada: 25-1

2012 Stat Line: 185 Carries, 955 Yards, 11 Touchdowns

Jefferson is the wild card in this group of five. He's basically an unknown since he has two factors going against him: 1) He plays for Nevada and 2) His lone signature win was against California.

However, Jefferson leads the nation in rushing attempts, yards, and is second in touchdowns. He has had three games of 150-or-more rushing yards and one of those games saw Jefferson gaining 247 yards. 

Looking at Jefferson's remaining schedule and his chances at having a signature game is slim. However, he does have one big game, vs. Boise State on Dec. 1, that can punch his ticket to New York City for the Heisman trophy ceremony. 

QB Collin Klein Kansas State: 15-1

2012 Stat Line: 63/94, 887 Yards, Seven Touchdowns, Two Interceptions, 73 Carries, 405 Yards, Seven Touchdowns

Klein will not lead the Wildcats to a victory with his arm. His passing skills come second, as Klien's first option is to run the ball. That ability has led Kansas State to a perfect 5-0 record and three victories of 50 points or more. 

If Klein can continue to lead the Wildcats offense to huge point totals and victories, then he will end up as a finalist for the Heisman trophy. 

To do so he will have to have huge games against these remaining Big 12 opponents: at West Virginia, vs. Oklahoma State, at TCU and vs. Texas. 

QB Matt Barkley USC: 13-1

2012 Stat Line: 111/173, 1,308 Yards, 15 Touchdowns, Five Interceptions

Coming into the 2012 season, Barkley was a preseason favorite to win the Heisman. Through five games he has fallen down the Heisman leader board, but he hasn't fallen off completely.

He has proven that he can lead the Trojans to a victory when the defense struggles; like when he had six touchdowns against Syracuse. However, at times, Barkley cannot mask the shortcomings of his team, like his zero touchdown, two interceptions loss against Stanford. 

Barkley has three big games left on his schedule to make his case for the Heisman: vs. Oregon, at UCLA and vs. Notre Dame. 

WR Stedman Bailey WVU: 8-1

2012 Stat Line: 49 Receptions, 710 Yards, 13 Touchdowns

Really, you could swap Bailey for his teammate Tavon Austin and you'd have a legit Heisman candidate. However, Bailey has the step above Austin for the Heisman because he has more yards, touchdowns and average yards per catch. 

Plus, Bailey had his "Heisman Moment" two weeks ago against Baylor when he went off for 13 receptions, 303 yards and five touchdowns. 

He followed up that game with another big performance on the road against Texas with eight receptions, 75 yards and three touchdowns. 

Bailey can continue to challenge our top candidate with big games against Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma. 

QB Geno Smith: 2-1

2012 Stat Line: 166/204, 1,996 Yards, 24 Touchdowns, Zero Interception

Through six weeks of the season, the Heisman trophy is Smith's to lose. He's already put up four or more touchdowns in every game, while having an insane completion percentage of 81.4 percent. 

He's gone off for two games of 411 yards (against James Madison) and 656 yards (against Baylor). 

If Smith continues to play like an average quarterback, then he may still win the trophy. That's because he's set himself so far above everyone that if he doesn't win the trophy it will be one of the biggest Heisman collapses that we have ever seen. 

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