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Heisman Candidates
Can Ingram Win His 2nd Heisman in 2010?
Preseason Heisman Candidates
For the third consecutive year the Heisman Winner from the previous year will be looking to repeat. Tebow and Bradford both failed to win the Heisman a second time and it could be tough for Mark Ingram to win it this season. While Ingram does play on a team that should be preseason number one, voters could be looking for a new Heisman Winner in 2010.
This year there doesn't appear to be a clear favorite to start the season. Anyone in our top 10 could be the #1 candidate going into week two. As always the winner must have great stats, big wins on national TV, and be on a very good team.
The Favorites
1. Kellen Moore QB Boise State(7,022 yds passing 64 TDs 13 INT in career)
Why is he a candidate?
Moore ranked #2 in the country last year(behind Tebow) in passing efficiency. His Boise State team went undefeated and won another BCS bowl game. This season Moore should once again put up huge numbers and the Broncos should win 10+ games. The media has already expressed their love for Boise State in 2010.
What could prevent Moore from winning?
After September Moore and the Broncos aren't going to be playing in any big national games. Moore could easily fall off the radar when stars from the SEC, PAC 10, Big 10, and Big XII start putting up big numbers in nationally televised games.
Biggest Game
A week one game against Virginia Tech and Bud Foster's defense. Moore will need to win this game to have a shot at the Heisman. If he loses, he and Boise will be forgotten.
2. Mark Ingram RB Alabama(1658 yds rushing 20 total TDs in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Well, he's the defending Heisman Winner, that's why. Ingram not only led the SEC in rushing last season, but he also put up big numbers in big names. Against a good Virginia Tech defense he ran for 150, 172 against Ole Miss, 246 against South Carolina, 144 against LSU, 113 against Florida, and 116 against Texas. In games against FIU, North Texas, and Chattanooga he only averaged 10 carries a game. If he had played more in those games he could've come close to 1800 yards rushing.
What could prevent Ingram from winning?
The media is going to be looking to crown a new winner. Ingram must put up better numbers in 2010 than he did in 2009 and that could be hard while sharing time with Trent Richardson. It could also be tough for Ingram's numbers to improve because Bama's passing game should be better in 2010, taking the pressure off Ingram to do more.
Biggest Game
On October 2nd the Tide will play host to the Florida Gators. This could be the highest rated college football game of the regular season. A big performance in this game will certainly help Ingram's chances
3. Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas(3,627 yds passing 30 TDs 7 INT in 2009)
Why is he a Candidate?
Mallett is the best QB in the best conference. He'll be a NFL first round draft pick and he's playing in an offense that helps QBs put up big numbers. Mallett will also return all his top receivers from a year ago, and should have a better running game that could help with an agressive defensive pass rush.
What could prevent Mallett from winning?
Despite the big numbers in 2009, Mallett didn't perform well against Florida, Alabama, LSU, or in the Liberty Bowl. Arkansas should be better in 2010, but can the Hogs win enough games this year to help Mallett's Heisman chances. An 8 win season in 2007 hurt Darren McFadden, who put up some amazing numbers.
Biggest Game
Alabama comes to Fayetteville this year and Mallett could be on the top of all Heisman lists with a big performance against a Saban defense(and many draft boards too). Last year Mallett was only 12-35 for 160 yds against the Tide.
4. Dion Lewis RB Pitt(1799 yds Rushing and 17 TDs in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Lewis is the nation's leading returning rusher from a year ago. Last season he finished ahead of Mark Ingram by 141 yards. The Panthers also appear to be the most talented team in the Big East this year and could be a top 10 team.
What could prevent Lewis from winning?
The last Big East player to win the Heisman was Gino Torretta at Miami in 1992. Will Lewis be able to get enough national attention to win over voters as a sophomore?
Biggest Game
The Panthers play an impressive OOC schedule this year, but the biggest game will be against Notre Dame. Last year Lewis ran for 152 against Notre Dame. This year the game is in South Bend and will be on national TV on NBC. Against a vulnerable Irish Defense, Lewis could put up huge numbers
5. Case Keenum QB Houston(5671 yds passing 44 TD 15 INT)
Why is he a candidate?
Keenum has an amazing 10,691 yards passing and 88 touchdown passes in the last 2 seasons! With Skip Holtz no longer in CUSA, Houston appears to be the favorite in conference this season.
What could prevent Keenum from winning?
Keenum was 5th nationally last year in interceptions. This number must go down in order for Keenum to have a chance. There is also the idea that Keenum is just a system QB. Every QB since Andre Ware has had this problem at Houston, despite playing under different head coaches.
Biggest Game
The Coogs toughest game this year is at UCLA. A win over a good PAC 10 team would get some notice from voters
6. Terrell Pryor QB Ohio State(2,094 yds passing and 18 TDs in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Being the quarterback for an Ohio State team that is thought by many to be in the national championship game this year put Pryor high on this list. Few positions in college football get as much media coverage as the OSU QB position. Despite having a mediocre regular season, Pryor had a great Rose Bowl throwing for 266 yds and running for 72 in a 26-17 win over Oregon.
What could prevent Pryor from winning?
His numbers are the worst of any QB on this list and if he wasn't playing for Ohio State he wouldn't be mentioned. He only had an efficiency rating of 128.91 last year and tossed 11 INTs. Sure he's got tons of talent, but so does Robert Griffin at Baylor.
Biggest Game
The toughest defense that the Buckeyes will play this year will be against Iowa. This November game could decide the Big 10 title and Pryor's Heisman chances.
7. Jacquizz Rodgers RB Oregon State(2693 yds rushing and 32 touchdowns in career)
Why is he a candidate?
This 5-7 Running Back that the Beavers stole from the State of Texas provides tons of excitement everytime he touches the ball. In total, Rodgers had 22 touchdowns in 2009.
What could prevent Rodgers from winning?
The Beavers only won 8 games last season. Sure Bo Jackson and George Rogers won the Heisman with 8 win teams, but in 2010 the Beavers will need to win more
Biggest Game
Rodgers has played two very good games in his career against Southern Cal. This season he will need another big game against one of the best defensive minds(Monte Kiffin) in all of football when the Trojans visit Corvallis on 11/20/10.
8. Andy Dalton QB Texas Christian(2756 yds passing 23 TDs and 8 INTs in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Davey O'Brien, Sammy Baugh, and now Andy Dalton. The Horned Frogs have been known for their defense under Gary Patterson, but now the Frogs have a playmaker at QB. Dalton ranked 9th last season in passing efficiency and led the Frogs to their first ever BCS bowl game.
What could prevent Dalton from winning?
TCU's offense is going to allow Dalton to put up huge passing numbers like Keenum and Moore. Dalton is also hurt by the fact that most of TCU's games are shown on VS and the Mountain Network and not stations like ESPN, ABC, or CBS.
Biggest Game
Jerry Jones has invited Oregon State and TCU to play each other at the new Cowboys Stadium in week 1. This game will be the largest TV audience Dalton will play infront of all year.
9. Ryan Williams RB Virginia Tech(1655 yds rushing and 21 TDs in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Williams ranked 3rd nationally with 21 TDs in 2009. The Hokies went 10-3 last year(5 straight wins to close the year) and are the preseason favorites to win the ACC in 2010.
What could prevent Williams from winning?
Darren Evans was the starting RB for the Hokies prior to an injury. His return in 2010 could hurt Williams chances on matching his 2009 rushing stats.
Biggest Game
On 11/13 the Hokies travel to Chapel Hill to play UNC. The Heels will have one of the nation's top defenses in 2010 as they are loaded with NFL talent. Last year Williams ran for 96 yards on 23 carries in a 20-17 loss to North Carolina. This game could determine the ACC Championship
10. Jake Locker QB Washington (2800 yds passing 23 TDs and 14 INTS in 2009)
Why is he a candidate?
Many believe Locker will be the #1 QB taken in next year's NFL draft. This will get him plenty of media attention in 2009 that most QBs coming off a 5-7 season wouldn't typically get.
What could prevent Locker from winning?
Washington did improve last season, but they still are a couple years away from competing for a PAC 10 Championship. Locker has 26 career interceptions, not good when you consider he's only played two full seasons
Biggest Game
Nebraska comes to town on September 18. If Locker is going to be a serious Heisman Candidate he needs to win and put up good numbers against a very good Bo Pelini defense.
10 others to consider
Matt Barkley QB Southern Cal
John Clay RB Wisconsin
Adrian Clayborn DT Iowa
Noel Devine RB West Virginia
Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
AJ Green WR Georgia
Jacory Harris QB Miami
Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Kyle Padron QB SMU
Christian Ponder QB Florida State
