College Football 2011: Andrew Luck and Other Early Heisman Favorites

With the 2011 college football season rapidly approaching, it's time to take a look at Andrew Luck and the preseason favorites to take home college football's most prestigious award.

This year's Heisman race should be one of the better ones in recent memory with a deep list of possible players who have a legitimate shot to earn the award. 

Last year, Cam Newton came out of left field and was all but a lock to win the award by Week 8. This year though, it seems more than likely that one of these six players will join college football's most elite society of past winners.  

6. Denard Robinson, QB (Michigan)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes 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 ran onto the Heisman Trophy scene early with his hot start to the 2010 season.

In Robinson's first five games, he threw for more than 1,000 yards, while rushing for another 900 yards and accounting for 15 touchdowns.

Robinson fell off once the competition stiffened, which resulted in the Wolverines losing their next three.

If Denard can maintain his high level of play not just against the weaker non-conference teams, but also against the top Big Ten teams, he will have a great shot at the Heisman in 2011.

5. Kellen Moore, QB (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

Kellen Moore has had nothing short of an extraordinary career for the Boise State Broncos. 

Moore has thrown for nearly 11,000 yards while connecting on 99 touchdown passes. More impressively, he has only thrown 19 interceptions, which means he has more than a 5-1 touchdown to interception ratio.

This year will be by far Moore's biggest test though.

He will be without his top two targets—Titus Young and Austin Pettis, who combined for 142 receptions, 2,166 yards and 19 touchdowns. Moore will have to find new receiving targets while going against new competition, as the Broncos are now part of the Mountain West. 

There is no doubt in my mind Moore will finish the year with stellar numbers yet again, but the question remains, is the competition good enough?

The Broncos play the Georgia Bulldogs opening week. If Moore can put up big numbers in that game, he will be a finalist whether people agree with it or not.

Boise State's schedule sets up nicely for an undefeated season, so let the debate begin. 

4. Marcus Lattimore, RB (South Carolina)

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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

The true freshman from Duncan, S.C. was the focal point of the Gamecocks' offense in 2010; South Carolina went as far as Lattimore could take them. 

In all of the Gamecocks' five losses, Lattimore failed to receive 20 carries. When given the ball, he produced in a great way, as South Carolina was 5-0 when Lattimore received more than 20 touches.

Lattimore should have a big sophomore year for the Gamecocks, who will rely even more on the sophomore because of the questions surrounding the quarterback spot.

3. Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws a 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 Stree

Andrew Luck would have easily been the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft had he chosen to forgo his senior year with Stanford. Instead, Luck will be fighting to win a PAC-12 championship and possibly more.

Luck had quite the year in 2010 with Stanford; 3,338 yards passing, 32 touchdowns and a completion percentage of more than 70 percent.

If Luck can lead Stanford to another BCS bowl, he will have a solid shot to win the Heisman. 

The real key will come down to the November 12 showdown against the Oregon Ducks. If Luck can outshine and beat LaMichael James and the Ducks, this could be his year.

2. Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw 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 Ronald M

It's not too often you can lose your star quarterback to the NFL Draft and seemingly not be able to tell he's missing, but that's exactly the case for the Oklahoma Sooners. 

Landry Jones has filled in flawlessly for past Heisman winner Sam Bradford, and the Sooners could have yet another Heisman winner in Jones.

Jones threw for more than 4,700 yards in 2010 while tossing 38 touchdown passes. 

The Sooners look like a preseason favorite to win it all next year, and we know how much Heisman voters love undefeated quarterbacks. 

1. LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks scores a touchdown on a two-yard touchdown reception in front of Craig Stevens #46 of the Auburn Tigers in the fourth quarter during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Ga

LaMichael James was the most exciting player in college football last year not named Cam Newton. 

James led the nation in rushing in 2010 with 1,731 yards and 21 scores. Could a 2,000-yard season be in the making? 

Either way, James will have another huge year for the Oregon Ducks, and if he can gain early momentum with a big outing on opening week against LSU, he will be the favorite to win the Heisman.

As a finalist last year, I think this is the year the Heisman Trophy finds its way out of the SEC.