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So starts my look at the upcoming college football season.  Now's the time to see if I've really got some college football knowledge.  But, to start off my look at the season we'll go over my Heisman watchlist.  Anyways not only is my list going to include some guys who are guys you really need to look out for, in my opinion, and some guys, who once again in my opinion, are some dark horses for the award.  So here we go...

1. Tim Tebow- He won the Heisman a year ago.  I think that in order for Tebow to repeat he needs to improve on his numbers from a year ago.  Tebow put up such an impressive overall year that I think he's kinda put himself in a corner as far as overall improvment from a year ago.  The one area where he really can make himself a lot better is passing.  I don't see Tebow repeating this year for the previously mentioned fact that he has to improve on his numbers.  But, he's number one overall on my list because he's the defending Heisman winner.

2. Chris "Beanie" Wells- This is one of the names that people really like to win the award and I am starting to agree with that.  He's been impressive in his time at Ohio State.  He's one of those guys that always that has that special ability as a running back. He fits so well within Ohio State's offense.  He does pretty much everything that's asked of him so well.  Wells is such a workhorse back that I think if he's able to stay healthy he could easily win this award.

3. Knowson Moreno- Last year as a freshman at Georgia this kid put up fantastic numbers.  Everybody that he played with a year ago is going to be a year older.  Moreno just needs that steady progression.  The fact that he had such a great freshman year season could hurt or help him.  It's all going to depend.  If he takes the challenge of being looked at as one of the best players in the country head on that he could very easily win the award.  Playing in such a tough conference is going to both help and hurt him.  If Georgia can come out on top of the SEC than he's got a great chance of winning the Heisman trophy.

4. Chase Daniel- Chase Daniel is a guy that people fell in love with a year ago.  He's a guy whose been through some not so good times at Missouri.  I don't know if he's got much of a chance to win the Heisman.  I think that the fact that one of his teammates is also being looked at as a potential candidate is going to hurt him.  I like Chase as a player just not as a Heisman candidate.

5. Jeremy Maclin-  He's the teammate of Chase Daniel's that I was talking about.  A young playmaker.  It really helps both himself and Chase Daniel that they're in the weak Big 12 North.  Once again he's not a realistic candidate because he'll lose votes due to his teammate

6. Michael Crabtree- Once again he's not a realistic choice.  Playing at Texas Tech is most likely going to hurt him.  Texas Tech has to win the Big 12 for Crabtree to even have a chance, which I don't see happening.  He's in a spread offense so that is going to help to pad his numbers...but once again being in the brutal Big 12 South is going to make winning the Heisman next to impossible for Crabtree this year.

7. Pat White- Ok, Pat White is my last on the radar candidate.  If West Virginia has success this year than Pat White is going to get most of that credit.  If they fail than Pat White is going to get most of that blame.  And because I can't say with much confidence that they can dominate a much improved Big East I'm putting him at the bottom.

Now for some under the radar guys who could surprise some people and possibly be in contention for the award

Joe McKnight- RB USC-  In the Rose Bowl Joe McKnight really had his coming out party.  He had his big game that really introduced himself to the world of college football.  If he's able to carry that momentum into this season he could easily be in New York for the award ceremony.

Juice Williams- QB Illinois-  For Juice a lot is riding on how Illinois performs this year.  Losing Rashard Mendenhall a lot of pressure is on Juice and if the Illini can compete and maybe get back into contention for a New Years day Bowl Game than Juice could maybe be in the hunt for the Heisman

Noel Devine- RB- West Virginia- He'll be the primary ball carrier right behind Pat White for West Virginia this year.  Having Pat White in the Heisman race is going to hurt Devine so I don't see him winning the Heisman this year.  He'll definitely be at the top of the watchlist next year though.

Dan LeFevour- QB- Central Michigan- LeFevour is Tim Tebow without the high profile.  LeFevour could be near the top of the award's watchlist with a huge game against Georgia.  I'm going to watch LeFevour closely that game and if he has success watchout of the name of Dan LeFevour during the Heisman talk

Sam Bradford- QB- Oklahoma- To some people he had a bit of a surprising year last season.  He was definitely a positive surprise for the Sooners.  I think that if Bradford is able to keep progressing from last season he could be right in the race.

These are my players to watch during the Heisman discussion at the end of the year.  What are your thoughts? 

June 30, 2008  04:41 PM ET

I agree with your picks

June 30, 2008  04:43 PM ET

nice blog, i think that if I had to pick a sleeper to win it I'd say Willie Tuitama if Zona win's at least 9 games. He will put up huge numbers, so just throwing him out their

June 30, 2008  05:40 PM ET

Willie Tuitama is a good choice scarlet...it'll be interesting to see if they can at least put themselves in a position to be headed to a bowl game. Thank you GeoriganFan

June 30, 2008  07:44 PM ET

Look I have a VERY short attention span, so I refuse to read your Heisman list until they have pictures beside there name

June 30, 2008  07:57 PM ET

PERCY HARVIN!!!

July 2, 2008  01:43 PM ET

Prsonally, I think that Chase Daniels and Moreno will be invited to NY barring injuries. Overall I love the predictions.

July 2, 2008  03:17 PM ET

Thanks Tuck and I definitely agree with you both Moreno and Chase Daniels will be in NYC for the ceremony

July 3, 2008  01:32 AM ET

This is a great list of Heisman candidates. There are just a couple of names that I think may be missing. First would be Clemson???s Cullen Harper. If he continues to perform at the levels he did last year he could definitely be a contender. Also, if any defensive player could be considered a candidate (which I highly doubt) it would be Ohio State's James Laurinaitis.

While I would love to see Beanie Wells win the Heisman on his way to the National Championship, anyone from your list would be a worthy recipient of the award.

July 7, 2008  05:51 PM ET

Thanks WhoDey...I like Cullen Harper a lot...he could be a guy who easily wins the Heisman...as for Laurinaitis..he would be a the top of my defensive players who are in the hunt to win the Heisman.

July 8, 2008  10:17 PM ET

Too many offensive guns in the running this year for a defensive guy to slip in... at least 1 of the offensive guys will have a killer year. Expect the trophy to go to a QB or RB.

Don't forget a bright side to Wells - if he wins, he definitely goes to the pros a year early. If he doesn't, maybe he leaves and maybe he stays...

July 10, 2008  03:19 PM ET

Juice Williams has a career losing record, a terrible completion percentage, and his team lost its only good player. I know the losers in Champaign would like to think otherwise, but this kid is not that special of a football player.

 
July 12, 2008  09:57 AM ET

I think you would have to put the top rated passer from a year a go in the top seven. As long as Bradford has a great year, I don't see how you can not look at him closely. To put him at the bottom of possibilities.....He deserves better.

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