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Seven Players with a Real Chance at the Heisman Stuck
Posted on August 25, 2012 at 12:52 AM.


When the Downtown Athletic Club presented their inaugural award (known as the DAC trophy) it was an exclusive piece of hardware given to the best player east of the Mississippi River.

The name of the immortalized stiff-arm structure has since changed to the Heisman trophy and all FBS college football players are eligible regardless of geography -- but an exclusive element still exists.

At the core, the Heisman trophy stands as the ultimate symbol of excellence and outstanding performance. In reality, however, its voters have struggled to assign the award to anyone not lined up in the offensive backfield. And as humans hungry for a good story, these same members have become enraptured by the novelty of new faces and uplifting back-stories. Playing for a national championship contender never hurts either.

We all have our favorites to win and feel we know the correct criteria by which to evaluate but ultimately don't have much of a say. Despite how things unfold the season must go on and the awards will still be engraved. We have to accept the flaws of the Heisman system like anything in life and move on.

But just so we're all prepared, here are the top seven players with a realistic shot at the Heisman in 2012.

7. E.J. Manuel, QB Florida State

The Seminoles are becoming a big favorite of many to earn a birth into the national championship game. The ACC hasn't built a reputation for exceptional depth and a lack of serious competition could elevate the 'Noles to an undefeated regular season. If you're in a BCS conference and you pull off an undefeated regular season, book your spot for an appearance at the Heisman trophy presentation.

6. Geno Smith, QB West Virginia

The Sooners are the opening favorites in the Big-12, but this Mountaineers squad is built to impact the conference from day one. In many ways, the best ACC teams are alike that of the Big-12 in regard to potent offense and inconsistent defense. Head coach Dana Holgerson brings experience from his previous stint at Oklahoma State and an upset win or two by the Mountaineers is a serious possibility. Smith already has national notoriety among college football pundits so he won't have to do much besides win to get his name in the Heisman conversation.

5. Marcus Lattimore, HB South Carolina
Other great running backs are hoping for a shot at the Heisman this year but few can boast a national conscience that seems to be hoping for a redemptive season by Lattimore. The Gamecocks halfback had a great start in 2011 before an injury derailed him. Had he stayed healthy it's hard to say how the season would have finished for the other USC. South Carolina is a dark-horse (even as a top-ten preseason squad) in the SEC and an undefeated or one-loss year would guarantee a spot on the final Heisman list for the team's best offensive talent.

4. Denard Robinson, QB Michigan

The Wolverines have made great strides each of the last two years, and the improvement of Robinson has correlated in kind. The Big-10 has lost some of its defensive luster and is in a year of uncertainty as many top teams regroup with new quarterbacks and halfbacks. Michigan should finally have a top-tier defense -- enough to give them a shot at a Big-10 title -- which means a lot of wins and the spotlight on the conference's most explosive playmaker.

3. Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma
Throwing for over 4,300 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2011 should have been enough to get national attention. Unfortunately for Landry Jones, the amazing RG3/Baylor story and unbelievable run by Oklahoma State overshadowed a great season by the returning Sooners' quarterback. As simple as it sounds, wins are all that Jones needs to put his name in the Heisman mix. There's a very good chance that OU could be undefeated with three games to go. If Landry can lead his team through the brutal finale to the regular season he could be hoisting the bronze sculpture in December.

2. Aaron Murray, QB Georgia

In reality, this slot could be renamed "Quarterback of the SEC Champions." Murray is highly regarded as the best signal-caller in the conference and the Bulldogs have the talent and experience to finally dethrone the likes of Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and Florida. If Georgia makes it to the SEC title game it will be due largely to the performance of Murray. In such a devastating league combined with the novelty of a successful year by Georgia -- there's no reason to think the award won't be his if all conditions are met.

1. Matt Barkley, QB USC
This trophy is Matt Barkley's to lose. He has the story -- a lifelong USC fan who even went so far as to proclaim as a child he would one day be the starting quarterback of the Trojans. He has the hearts of the nation -- returning, unselfishly, for his senior year in an attempt to fulfill his dream and help his college when he could have chased the money and turned pro. And he's on the nation's top rated team to start the season. As if that's not enough, he plays for the USC Trojans. If you're a halfback or quarterback for USC and can manage an undefeated or one-loss season -- you're an automatic Heisman finalist.


Sound Off: Set aside who you want to win for a minute -- who do you think will actually win the Heisman in 2012?




Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper
Comments
# 1 almightyx @ Aug 25
How you left off Montee Ball, I have no idea. If Matt Barkley has a disappointing season and Ball has something close to what he did last year, he has a very strong chance of winning. Ball and Lattimore are definitely the best RBs in the country. If you're looking for a darkhorse RB, take either Thomas from Oregon or Lacey from Bama.

My darkhorse candidate: QB Collin Klein from K-State. If the Wildcats win the B12 with 1 loss, expect Klein to be in the mix for the Heisman.
 
# 2 barimanlhs @ Aug 25
Its a disgrace that Monte Ball has been left off of the list....
 
# 3 THE YAMA @ Aug 25
Obviously the whole Montee Ball name missing. But I could see Denard Robinson winning it this year finally. I expect Michigan to put together a nice season, and Robinson putting up RG3 type numbers.
 
# 4 PackerBacker123 @ Aug 25
monte ball 2012 hHeisman winner
 
# 5 jmik58 @ Aug 25
Ball is not on this list because there's more to the Heisman that just being a great player. I do not think Wisconsin is a good enough team to go undefeated. In fact, I think they are a realistic two-loss team at best. Ball isn't a new name and he doesn't have the potential to bring success to a struggling program like RG3 (the only way to win the Heisman on a non-title-contending team).

Ball's exclusion from this list has nothing to do with him as a player. This is a realistic list of who can win based on the trends of past contenders, highlighting the things voters pay attention to.

If you think it's a shame that Ball is not on the list, then realize that the problem is with the Heisman -- not with this list.
 
# 6 Bmore Irish @ Aug 25
yea, gotta be on a contender. i cant see any way barkley doesnt win it anyway, unless he gets injured. then again, we've seen that before when a top player comes back for their senior year.
 
# 7 Joobieo @ Aug 25
As Dast just said, Andrew Luck is a prime example of coming back and not winning the Heisman. Barkley has a lot of presser on him to win it this year and I think players will be gunning for him even harder knowing hes the favorite to win it all.
 
# 8 PackerBacker123 @ Aug 25
Wisconsin is the best team in the big ten, you should know hawkeye fan!
 
# 9 fudgie @ Aug 25
I like to believe the Heisman may one day turn away from strictly QB/RB as has come passe lately. So I'd say Robert Woods could be a potential "dark horse" candidate (kind of hard to say that since he's on SC and is Barkley's top target).
 
# 10 jmik58 @ Aug 25
@PackerBacker123 Haha! Easy on my Hawkeyes Wisconsin is very good, but not the best in the conference. Check my Big-10 preview, I don't even have them as the best in their division -- even though they'll play in the B1G title game.
 
# 11 PackerBacker123 @ Aug 25
OK, slow down there, how does Michigan have a Heisman candidate then.I am not trying to criticize you, just trying to pick a fellow college f ball fan's mind.
 
# 12 jmik58 @ Aug 25
@PackerBacker123 Fair question. Michigan is a very good team but they play a brutal schedule. They can go undefeated or play a one-loss season, I just don't think they will personally. I don't think Wisconsin's team is good enough to threaten a one-loss year or better. I think Michigan is that good, but I don't see it happening. My B1G preview is more about how I see the season playing out, not a list of the best teams from top to bottom. Also, if Denard leads Michigan to a Big-10 championship he will have the "story" of being the guy that brought the program back to national prominence. Think of it this way, if all the stars align just right, Robinson can win the Heisman. I don't think there is even the potential for the stars to align for Wisconsin and Ball.
 
# 13 fsufan4423 @ Aug 26
I would say Barkley probably has the best chance with those receivers. I just hope EJ Manuel can stay heathy and just win the ACC, nevermind a Heisman.
 
# 14 Dingor @ Aug 27
DeAnthony Thomas will most certainly be in the race considering Oregon's schedule and Thomas will be getting more touches with LaMichael leaving last season to get even more then the 18 TD's Thomas got last season.
 
# 15 bigdoc85 @ Aug 28
Jeremy Deering of Rutgers could potentially get in the mix as a sentimental pick if no one dominates this year. Deering is slated to play offense, defense and special teams.
 
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