College Football 2011: 10 Week 1 Heisman Candidates Who Won't Be Invited to NYC

No one wins the Heisman Trophy in the first week of the season.

However, it is possible to fall off the Heisman radar with a loss or poor performance.

It takes a complete, high-performance season to win the Heisman—just look at what happened with Michigan's Denard Robinson.

He was everyone's top choice for about six weeks, and then he didn't even get invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

So, let's look at these 10 players who are Heisman candidates entering Week 1 (and many may still be after the first week) but won't get invites to New York in December.

Geno Smith, QB (West Virginia)

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers warms up during the Champs Sports Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

West Virginia's Geno Smith will remain an outside candidate all season, especially if he puts up some gaudy numbers in Dana Holgorsen's system.

There hasn't been a Mountaineer invited to the Heisman ceremony since Major Harris in 1989, though.

Smith has a better chance of going to NYC in 2012.

Ryan Broyles, WR (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs after a catch 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 Pet

Ryan Broyles is a good bet to win the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the best receiver.

Some voters will gravitate toward his huge receiving numbers, but in the end, he'll be competing with teammate Landry Jones, who is likely to get invited to New York.

Broyles is a special talent, but he won't be striking a Heisman pose any time this year.

Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)

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WACO, TX - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on October 4, 2008 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Robert Griffin of Baylor is probably a fringe Heisman candidate, but so was Cam Newton at the start of last season.

Playing for a smaller Big 12 program will hurt him, and he won't be able to match the staggering numbers that his peers—Andrew Luck and Landry Jones—put up in 2011.

Griffin is still one of the more athletic quarterbacks in the country and should have a solid senior season.

Marcus Lattimore, RB (South Carolina)

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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Jerico Nelson #31 of the Arkansas Razorbacks tries to stop Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter L

Marcus Lattimore is a special talent.

He showed off his impressive skills as a true freshman, and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier grew more and more comfortable feeding him the ball.

Lattimore is going to have an even better season, but unless the Gamecocks win the SEC, there's almost no way to see how he will be a Heisman finalist.

Aaron Murray, QB (Georgia)

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after tossing a touchdown pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If this were 2013, Aaron Murray would not be on this list.

By then, he'll be one of the top three players in the nation, as well as a Heisman finalist.

Right now, his inclusion on Heisman candidate lists is all about potential.

He's going to lead Georgia to a big season, but that's because he's a great leader.

The awards will come later.

Knile Davis, RB (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 Chris Graythen/Getty

It's disappointing to put Arkansas' Knile Davis on this list.

He doesn't garner as much publicity as other SEC running backs, but conference coaches would probably pick him as one of the toughest runners.

It seems like quarterbacks get more invites these days, and Davis will get serious competition for the running back vote from Oregon's LaMichael James.

Davis won't be in New York, but he'd love to lead the Razorbacks past Alabama for the SEC West title.

Denard Robinson, QB (Michigan)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines passes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Denard Robinson was last season's Heisman leader through six weeks.

He was piling up crazy running and passing stats, and he had at least three SportsCenter-quality highlights with each game.

Then, he started to get banged up and wasn't on the field as much. Also, Michigan started losing.

He's still that talented player, but he won't be in Rich Rodriguez' offense any longer, and the Wolverines are still going to be just an average team.

Robinson may not be a serious contender for the Heisman all season.

Michael Dyer, RB (Auburn)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers looks on against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Auburn's Michael Dyer didn't generate the same hype as other freshman running backs, but a lot of that had to do with Cam Newton.

Dyer's workload is going to increase this year, but Auburn could finish as low as fourth in the SEC West.

That won't get you invited to New York.

Darron Thomas, QB (Oregon)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles 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 Ronald Martinez/G

Oregon's Darron Thomas benefits greatly from Chip Kelly's explosive offense.

Thomas is going to have another big year, but he'll never be able to move ahead of teammate LaMichael James.

Thomas will also be hurt by not even being the best quarterback in the Pac-12. He may be third or fourth, depending on your assessment of USC's Matt Barkley.

Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This is the toughest one.

Alabama has a great chance of going undefeated and winning the SEC. Trent Richardson is going to be a big reason why.

In the end, though, the Crimson Tide defense will get most of the credit.

Also, Richardson is a team player, and, in the end, his numbers just won't stack up against the other competition.

This is not meant to slight Richardson. It's just a reality.