College Football 2011 Heisman Watch: Ranking the Top 10 Preseason Candidates

The 2011 college football season is just a week away, and already there are many fans and analysts who have dug in their heels and attempted to make their case for their Heisman favorite.

There hasn’t even been one kickoff yet, however, many are trying their best to forecast which special chosen few will be sitting in the front row of the Best Buy Theater come December.

Last year, we watched Cam Newton, who nobody pegged as a Heisman candidate before the season started, bust out and put together a magical season and run away with the award.

So, will we see another under-the-radar player rise up, or will one of the established stars like Andrew Luck or LaMichael James repeat their success from a season ago and claim the trophy?

It should be a fun ride to watch, regardless of the outcome.

Here’s a look at my top 10 preseason candidates for the 2011 Heisman Trophy.

10. RB Edwin Baker, Michigan State

Edwin Baker has already stated that his goal for this season is to break the 2,000-yard rushing mark (last accomplished by Donald Brown in 2008), and while it may sound a bit ambitious, Baker might just be good enough to back up his big preseason aspirations.

The powerful 5’9’’, 210-pound junior rumbled his way to over 1,200 yards and 13 TDs last season, and he played a major part in Michigan State’s 11-win campaign last year.

Baker, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2010, will have to defer some carries to Larry Caper and Le’Veon Bell this year, but he should still get enough touches to do some major damage.

If Michigan State makes it to the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, the Spartans will likely have Baker to thank.

9. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

We know that Trent Richardson already has the suit to wear to the Heisman ceremony (thanks, Mr. Albetar), now we just have to see if he can perform well enough to get an invite.

Richardson, who has topped over 700 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, will now have the chance to step out of 2009 Heisman-winner Mark Ingram’s shadow and be the main man of the Alabama backfield.

The 5’11’’, 220-pound junior is one of the strongest backs in the country and there are some who have even suggested that he’s been the best back in Tuscaloosa all along.

This year, we get to find out if that’s really the case.

8. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

You couldn’t build a more perfect back for Oregon’s spread offense than LaMichael James.

James has the speed, shiftiness and elusiveness to take it to the house any time he gets the ball in his hands, and he’s demonstrated that over the last two seasons, rushing for over 3,200 yards and 35 TDs.

Last year’s third-place Heisman finisher will have his work cut out for him as he’ll be forced to concede carries to Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas this season. But if James keeps making explosive plays look routine, he’s sure to keep catching the attention of the voters, even if his rushing totals take a bit of a dip.

7. WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

The Big 12 is loaded with great receivers this season and one of the true standouts of the bunch is Oklahoma star Ryan Broyles.

Broyles led the country with 131 catches in 2010, and he showed the college football world that he has what it takes to be a true offensive game-breaker.

While the 5’11’’, 185-pound senior isn’t going to scare off any defensive backs with his size, it certainly hasn’t stopped him from torching opposing secondaries throughout his career.

With QB Landry Jones back behind center, Broyles should continue to put up huge numbers in 2011.

6. QB Chris Relf, Mississippi State

Everyone gets to have a Heisman dark-horse pick, right?

Well mine has got to be Mississippi State QB Chris Relf.

Yes, I’m going all-in on the Bulldogs this year. I expect them to contend for an SEC West division title and Relf is a major reason why.

The senior signal-caller is a perfect catalyst for Dan Mullen’s spread-zone read attack, and if he improves and makes strides as a passer this year, the Mississippi State offense has a chance to be lethal.

It’s too early to say he’s this year’s Cam Newton, but Relf definitely has the chance to work his way up the Heisman ranks with a few big performances against notable opponents.

5. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

As we’ve seen in the past, if you happen to hold the distinction of being the quarterback on the No. 1-ranked team in America, it certainly helps to boost your Heisman credentials.

Oklahoma’s Landry Jones can put that on his resume, at least for now.

After throwing for over 4,700 yards and 38 TDs last season, Jones is back to lead one of the most high-powered offenses in the country.

The junior QB has a lot of pressure and expectations weighing on his shoulders, but he’s also got plenty of opportunities to prove his worth, with games against the likes of Florida State, Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma State.

If Jones performs well on the big stage and leads Oklahoma to the title game, the Heisman will be his.

4. RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

The Adrian Peterson comparisons may have been a bit premature, but how could you possibly blame fans for getting so excited about last year’s freshman phenom, Marcus Lattimore?

Lattimore arrived in South Carolina with a ton of high school hype and he ended up making an emphatic first impression on the SEC.

The former five-star recruit hit the ground running, rushing for over 1,200 yards and 17 TDs in his first season.

South Carolina has hopes of getting back to the SEC championship game, and the Gamecocks are definitely going to need Lattimore to once again be a major factor this season.

3. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Over the last two decades, there’s only been one wide receiver (Desmond Howard in 1991) who has been able to sway the Heisman voters in his favor, but to be honest, we haven’t seen many receivers in that time frame that can compare to Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon.

In just one breakout season, Blackmon was able to establish himself as the premier receiver in college football as he rose from relative obscurity to lead the country with 20 TD catches.

The 6’1’’, 205-pound junior is one of the most naturally gifted playmakers we’ve seen at the position in quite some time, and he’ll have a great chance to replicate his monster 2010 season with QB Brandon Weeden back at the helm.

2. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

Stanford’s Andrew Luck has officially been anointed as college football’s golden boy for the 2011 season, and that’s perfectly fine, because Luck certainly possesses the talent to back up his tremendous hype.

Last year’s Heisman runner-up has already been hailed as the consensus odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and he just may be the best quarterback prospect we’ve seen emerge from the college ranks since Peyton Manning came out of Tennessee.

Luck is the total package and if he can take down Oregon and lead the Cardinal to the Pac-12 title game, there’s no reason to believe he won’t have a seat in New York City in December.

1. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

These days, the phrase "Well, he’s just a winner" gets thrown around a little too lightly in regards to high-profile quarterbacks. But if ever there was a quarterback who was truly deserving of that saying, it’s Boise State’s Kellen Moore.

Moore is 38-2 as a starter and no matter how many critics try to disparage him, it’s not going to stop him from breaking college football’s all-time wins record this season.

It’s true, Moore doesn’t face the best competition week in and week out, but it’s what he does consistently each game, regardless of the opponent, that makes him so special.

Whether it’s an opponent like Virginia Tech or Oregon, or a less respected team like San Jose State or Idaho State, it doesn’t matter, Moore still finds a way to come out on top.

This season, Moore will miss his favorite receiving targets, Austin Pettis and Titus Young, but he happens to have two quality replacements to throw to in Geraldo Boldewijn and Tyler Shoemaker.

This Boise State team has the type of talent it needs to finally take the next step and legitimately challenge for a BCS national championship game bid.

If the Broncos can manage to somehow accomplish that feat and run the table to a title, Moore could break the trend and steal college football’s most prestigious award away from the power conference elite.

Some Other Players to Watch out for

QB Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

RB Doug Martin, Boise State

LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

RB Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State

QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State