Heisman Trophy Watch 2011: 3 Favorites That Don't Belong in the Race Anymore

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award in all of college football. You win it and your life will change forever, as you enter a group of elite players.

Before entering every season, everybody throws out several players who have a chance at winning the award. Some are favorites; others are dark horses who have an outside shot if they are able to play to their potential. 

The reality is, there are many talented college football players, but only a handful have a chance to win the Heisman.

Here are three candidates for the Heisman who should no longer be in the conversation.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist who covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon

I'm not sure exactly how many people still had Justin Blackmon on the Heisman list, but as of right now, you can officially take him off.

Actually, you can probably take every receiver in the country off your ballot. 

Blackmon had a season for the ages last year, with 111 receptions for 1,782 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. It was incredible, but the reality is he needed to put up similar numbers this season to have a chance, and he hasn't yet. 

In the first five games, Blackmon has yet to have that stand-out game, and if he continues at the pace he is, he will fall way short of the numbers he put up last season.

He isn't having a bad year, and the Cowboys are No. 6 in the country—but Blackmon has no chance of winning the Heisman.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson

I know fans want to hold on to the chances that Denard Robinson wins the Heisman, but every week those chances are getting smaller and smaller.

His numbers simply aren't good enough.

I know he's 10th in the country in rushing with 720 yards, and he's a quarterback. I understand that he has over 1,800 total yards and 18 total touchdowns, and the Wolverines are undefeated and ranked No. 11 in the country.

But at the same time, he has thrown nine interceptions—and that's only one fewer than his 10 touchdown passes.

That's five more than Kellen Moore, seven more than Andrew Luck and eight more than Robert Griffin.

He is extremely fun to watch, but those interceptions will cost him any chance of winning the award.

LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu makes big play after big play for the LSU Tigers, but he plays defense—so there's almost no chance he wins the award.

He has 42 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. He is the best defensive player on one of the top defenses and the No. 1 team in the country, but there is no way he wins the Heisman over the several quarterback candidates.

The only defensive player to win the award was Charles Woodson, but he didn't win solely off of defensive numbers. He also had 231 receiving yards and was a force on special teams.

Mathieu is a great player and a key piece on this LSU defense, but he's not a Heisman winner.