With College Football rapidly approaching, KSJ will look at the players, coaches, teams, and issues surrounding college football. Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Sam Bradford will be the three Heisman favorites at the beginning of the year. And deservedly so, they will be on national championship teams and will be favorites among the writers. So instead of looking at the big three, we will take a look at the dark horse candidates that could be headed to New York in December.
Jahvid Best, RB California: Best is the nations leading returning rusher coming into the season. He rushed for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. And he did all that despite not being healthy for the majority of the season. If he stays healthy this season, he could become a media darling. He will have to start the season strong when the team faces Maryland, Minnesota, and USC within the first month and a half of the season. He will have a strong offensive line to run behind, so I expect him to have a big year.
Todd Resing, QB Kansas: With the rest of the Big 12 North rebuilding, Kansas will be the favorite in that division. Kansas will be loaded on offense coming into the season. Jake Sharp returns at running back, and Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe return at receiver. Reesing will make his mark though in the Heisman race when they face Oklahoma at home and Texas on the road toward the end of the year. If Kansas can steal a win against either one of those teams and Reesing has a big game, he could be headed to New York.
Jevan Sneed, QB Ole Miss: After playing at both Florida and Texas and being shut out for the quarterback position by Tebow and McCoy, Sneed started fresh at Ole Miss last season. Last season Sneed lead Ole Miss to wins over Florida, LSU, and Texas Tech. This year the schedule is not near as tough as last years. Sneed must not throw as many interceptions and he must shine when Ole Miss plays in their nationally televised games.
Max Hall, QB BYU: September 5th has been the date Hall has circled on his calendar since last year. On September 5th, BYU travels to New Cowboys Stadium to face off against Oklahoma. Everybody will be watching if Hall and BYU can pull the upset. Hall struggled last year against Utah and Arizona in big games and he will be looking for redemption against the Sooners.
Riley Skinner, QB Wake Forest: Skinner came out of nowhere his freshman season to lead Wake Forest to the ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl. While Wake lost a lot in both Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith on defense, eight offensive players return with Skinner. If Wake Forest goes to another ACC Championship and makes it to a BCS game, Skinner will be looked at by the Heisman voters.
Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma St: While Michael Crabtree came no where near New York, Bryant might be able to break that mold for receivers. Bryant though was far better than Crabtree in the yards-per-catch category. He is actually a bigger threat after he catches the ball. He will be able to distinguish himself from the rest of the pack if he can fight past double teams and have a big year.
I like Kendall Hunter out of OK St.
ReplyDeleteI really like Best, Sneed and Bryant as dark-horses but have to disagree with Resing and Skinner. Kansas won't beat Texas, Oklahoma or Texas Tech and he won't put up the gawdy numbers needed to overcome the lack of marquee wins. Skinner is a fine QB, but Grobe runs a lackluster offense and WF doesn't have the brand recognition Heisman voters have come to love.
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