2011 College Football Predictions: The Five Front Runners for the Heisman Trophy

The 2011 Heisman Trophy race is unofficially underway.

Not a down has been played, but already many experts are considering this race a showdown between just two people: LaMichael James and Andrew Luck.

However, there is still plenty of talent across the nation that could sneak in and take some of the spotlight once the 2011 season starts.

Here are five of the front runners in this year's Heisman Trophy race.

Honorable Mention

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 4: Running back Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball during the 2010 SEC Championship against the Auburn Tigers at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty I

Typically, I don't make honorable mention slides.

However, since this list is consolidated to just five players, I feel it is necessary to throw out some recognition to other top players in the country who could pose a threat in the race.

6. HB Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina)

7. HB Trent Richardson (Alabama)

8. WR Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)

9. QB Denard Robinson (Michigan)

10. QB Darron Thomas (Oregon)

5. QB Landry Jones (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws the ball 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 Peters

I initially felt bad for Landry Jones. Filling the shoes of a quarterback like Sam Bradford is no small task.

However, since taking over his freshman year, Jones has 7,916 yards and 64 touchdowns.

His 4,718-yard performance last season placed him as the second leading passer in the nation.

He was awarded with the Sammy Baugh Trophy, which is given to the nation's best quarterback, for his accomplishments.

Oklahoma is considered a top contender for the National Championship this season. If they reach those expectations, Landry will be considered for the Heisman due to the team's success.

4. HB Knile Davis (Arkansas)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Im

Knile Davis burst onto the scene late last season for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The sophomore started the season slow. In the first six games, he failed to reach 100 yards once and only had one touchdown.

Out of the final seven games, Davis managed 100 yards on six occasions. He also had 12 rushing touchdowns in that span.

Rumors are that his junior year will be Davis' only shot at the Heisman. Many experts expect him to enter the NFL draft following the season.

3. QB Kellen Moore (Boise State)

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks for a receiver against the Oregon State Beaversat Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Sporting News reports the nation's Top 25 players annually.

This year, they awarded the No.1 rating to Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.

Moore is often ignored due to the talent level of the competition Boise State faces, but that doesn't mean his accomplishments should be overlooked.

He is 38-2 as a starter. He has 10,867 career passing yards along with 99 touchdown passes.

He will likely finish this season with the NCAA record for career wins, passing efficiency and touchdown passes.

2. QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

A few months ago, you would have been considered crazy if you thought Andrew Luck would be returning to Stanford for his junior season.

He was almost guaranteed to be the top pick in the NFL draft, but Luck elected to return to college for one final season.

It's a season that should prove to be memorable for one of the best quarterbacks the nation has seen in recent years.

Luck threw for 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.

What's more impressive is that he did it running a pro-style offense in a world where the spread seems to generate higher stat values.

1. HB LaMichael James (Oregon)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during their game against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

I know that I'm a part of the minority, but LaMichael James is still at the top of my list for the 2011 Heisman Trophy race.

I think it has much to do with the overall domination thus far in his career.

He is the primary threat in the most potent offense in questionably the history college football.

As a freshman, James ran for 1,546 yards. Last season, as a sophomore, he led the nation with 1,731 yards. This puts James on pace for 6,554 yards in his career. That would break the current NCAA record of 6,397 yards held by Ron Dayne.

He also has 35 rushing touchdowns over two seasons, putting him on pace to reach 70 in his career. The NCAA record for that rushing touchdowns in a career is only 73.