Heisman Trophy: 5 Legitimate Candidates

The stiff arm trophy is one of the most coveted awards in all of sports and though it may not always translate into next-level success, it will always remain as history that will never be forgotten.

Unless we are talking about Reggie Bush, which would be history that never happened per NCAA.

A few early season candidates have gotten a head start over the rest of the competition. These five are head and shoulders above the rest of the nation.

Marcus Lattimore: South Carolina

Lattimore has been the biggest, baddest beast on the planet this season, toting the rock 107 times for 611 yards and 8 TDs. He also has 12 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown as well.

Big 21 is the best downhill north-south runner, but he is also arguably the best pass catcher in the country for a running back. 

His stock will continue to rise with huge games at home against Auburn, Florida and Clemson down the road.

If he goes off against Auburn this weekend for 200 total yards and three touchdowns, we may be looking at not only a lock to get invited to New York, but possibly a lock to win the stiff arm trophy if his team reaches the SEC Championship with an 11-1 record. 

Kellen Moore: Boise State

Is completing 79 percent of your passes a good thing? Hello! Mr. Moore has been sensational this season and has been taken out after three quarters in two games this season already.

12 touchdowns and two interceptions puts Moore on pace to have his best season yet, despite losing the top two pass catchers in Broncos history. Titus Young and Austin Pettis were gods in Smurf land, but last time I checked, No. 11 was threading the needle, not the other way around.

Not only is Kellen Moore is the best collegiate college signal caller, he has been among the best players in the country the past three seasons. He is going to break Colt McCoy's all-time record for most wins in collegiate football, giving him yet another record to hold.

The only thing most would like to see from him would be a chance to hoist the stiff arm trophy as well as a chance to play for the big crystal ball. 

Robert Griffin III: Baylor

More touchdowns than incomplete passes is a stat I have not seen since my Tecmo Bowl days. Are you kidding me RG The Third? 

Griffin has combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense, while tossing 13 TDs and just 12 incomplete passes. That is a remarkable stat, but Griffin's Baylor Bears are undefeated and have a critical game on the road in Manhattan against Kansas State.

Can Baylor continue to win, and how many wins will it take for Griffin to even get invited for the Heisman? I would think Baylor must win nine games for the Waco stud to have a legitimate chance. A loss against Kansas State would certainly derail his chances. 

LaMichael James: Oregon

Talk about going bonkers against Arizona: James ran for an absurd 288 yards on just 23 carries (12.5 YPC) with two touchdowns.

For the season, he has run for 613 yards and 7 TDs and as the most explosive runner in all the land, most count on his Ducks to continue to win ball games.

If Oregon were to run the table, win the Pac-12 Championship and reach the Rose Bowl, not only would James get invited, but it would make the voters' lives miserable on who to vote for.

James will only go as far as his team does, like any candidate. Oregon blew their chance against LSU in the opener but that will be long forgotten if they light up the opposition for 40 points a weekend.

Andrew Luck: Stanford

I could throw a few players on this list, like Brandon Weeden or Denard Robinson, but Luck is still the best player in college from a next-level standpoint.

There is no doubting that along with Kellen Moore, he has it all. 

Tremendous vision, pocket presence/mobility, arm strength, accuracy and the ability to carry a team on his back are what make Luck the best prospect in the world. 

His team may not be a seven-win team without him, but I wonder how far this can go. Can Stanford win 10 games and will they knock off USC, Oregon and Notre Dame?

They will have to win at least two of those games for Luck to have a legitimate chance to win the Heisman and I am not positive this team defensively is as good as last season with the loss of All-American Shayne Skov.

Luck will have a few moments to shine, but we will see if he can rise to the top like last season.