College Football Predictions 2011: Top 5 Players Already In The Heisman Race

As we all know, QB Cameron Newton won the Heisman Trophy last year in a landslide.

Who will be that player next year? 

A lot of the players in the Heisman race last year are returning this season. Don't expect their names to fall off of that list.

Before the season even starts, these five players will be the favorites to win the Heisman.

5. QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Brandon Weeden #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an open receiver against the Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Image

The Oklahoma State Cowboys just came off of a record season on offense with a total of 6,763 total yards and 573 points scored. QB Brandon Weeden was a huge part of this success. 

Weeden threw for over 4000 yards and added 34 touchdowns in his breakout season with the Cowboys. 

The Cowboys won a school-record 11 games last season and they look to be even better in the 2011 season.

Look for Brandon Weeden's name to be in the Heisman race next season. 

4. QB Andrew Luck, Standford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

Andrew Luck was one of the finalists in last year's Heisman race and he finished second behind Auburn's Cameron Newton. 

Although he was the best quarterback in college last year it will be hard to repeat his performance in 2011.

With 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, Luck will most likely start the season off at the top of the Heisman List. 

With this said, a lot of the offense from last year's Stanford team will not be returning and Luck will need to find some new targets. 

Luck will have a great season, but it may not be good enough to take home the Heisman Trophy. 

3. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 and Bo Thran #69 of the Oregon Ducks react to a play againt the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (P

LaMichael James is the only running back on this list due to the great amount of quality quarterbacks playing next season. This does not take away anything from James though.

He is the best running back in all of college football and he will out run anyone who gets in his way. 

In back to back seasons, James rushed for more than 1,500 yards and tacked on 35 rushing touchdowns in those seasons. 

Once again, James will be on a very high-scoring offensive team that will contend for the National Championship. 

2. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Gett

Landry Jones was a beast last season for the Oklahoma Sooners. He threw for 38 touchdown passes and 4,718 yards. Not to mention, he led his team to a 12-2 record. 

With the Sooners being the favorite in most people's preseason polls, they may also consider Jones being the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. 

Jones is going to have an even better season next year, with most of the offense returning. Most likely, the Sooners will be undefeated most of the season, which will help Landry's chances in winning the Heisman. 

1. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos throws for yardage against the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Eth

So far in Kellen Moore's career, he has managed to throw for over 10,000 yards and 99 touchdown passes. Kellen Moore simply makes it rain out on the football field. 

Although Boise State is not in a BCS conference, it is time for a non-BCS player to win the Heisman Trophy. No one is more deserving than Kellen Moore.

Moore is going to have an even better season than last year and not only is he going to be a Heisman Trophy finalist, but the Boise State Broncos are going to make a BCS Bowl.