NCAAF Preseason: A look at the 2012 Heisman Candidates and Hopefuls

The Favorites:

 

#1. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley is entering his Senior year as quarterback at USC and he has all of the tools to win another Heisman for the Trojans. With two dangerous wide recievers, a talented backfield and a stout offensive line, Barkley looks like a favorite to win the trophy and he can only blame himslef if he doesn't. Even if he doesn't win the trophy, he'll still be the top QB of the 2013 NFL Draft

 

#2. Montee Ball, Wisconsin: Now that the nation knows who Montee ball is, Heisman Voters will be on the look out. This guy is special and will be a top tier NFL running back, but the college system of ranking the best player always leans towards the QB. Without a star QB on Wisconsin, Ball should get many touches and that means more TDs. I don't think he'll get 39 TDs again, but he'll put up Heisman-worthy yards.

#3. Geno Smith, West Virginia: No one will benefit more from West Virginia's move to the Big 12 than Geno Smith. Putting up monster numbers in the Big East is cool, but it's hard to attract Heisman talk unless you are a title contender. The Mountaineers move to the Big 12 does make them a title contender, which will put Smith in the spotlight. If he can perform against top-tier football teams every week like he did against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Smith will be a dangerous Heisman contender.

#4. De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon: The one thing I can't stand about the Heisman is that it tries to give NFL prospects a ton of publicity before the NFL draft. The voters always seem to forget that this award is for the best college football player, not the best NFL prospect. De'Anthony Thomas is a player who has potential to break all college football rushing records, but it is very possible that the Heisman voters will not crown him the title of "best college football player" just because he won't succeed in the NFL.

 #5. Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State: Michigan State looks to be a very good and physical team in the Big 10. This means that they will shut down opposing defenses and hand the ball off to Le'veon Bell 30-40 times a game. He is huge for an all-down running back at 6'2", 244 lbs and figures to be one of the top running backs selected in either the 2013 or 2014 NFL draft. If Michigan State can muster some respect around the nation as a football power and maybe even recieve a Rose Bowl berth, Bell will be the greatest benefactor.

The Darkhorse:                                           Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville: Every year, there is a darkhorse contender in the Heisman race. Last year, it was RG3, who actually took home the hardware. For this year, I bet the darkhorse will be another dual-threat QB, this time from Louisville. If Louisville absolutely dominates the Big East and goes to a BCS bowl game, it's all because of their QB, Teddy Bridgewater. He is accurate and fast, but would benefit by bulking up a bit.

Watch out! Barkley is staying one more year

Just when you thought the Pac 12 South was a wide open division, Matt Barkley decides to return for his Senior year. The USC Trojans won the division this year, but couldn't play in the Pac 12 title game or a bowl game due to NCAA sanctions. However, next year will see a loaded USC team that features many young stars including their QB and standout receiver, Robert Woods. I think next year's preseason poll will have the Trojans in the top 5 and ahead of the Ducks, but maybe (just maybe) the Cats can put up a show against them next year in Tucson on Oct. 13

USC upsets Oregon, 38-35

USC Junior QB, Matt Barkley, passed for 323 yards and 4 TDs as the Bowl-ineligible Trojans upset the 4th ranked Oregon Ducks in Eugene's Autzen Stadium on Black-out night. USC gave Oregon more than a black eye as the Ducks were eliminated from the National Championship picture. The Ducks couldn't get a handle of anything as they fumbled multiple times. They had a chance to tie, but they missed a would be game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. The Ducks can still clinch a spot in the PAC 12 Championship game with a win in the Civil War against Oregon State.

Cats go down with a fight, lose to USC 48-41

The Wildcats lost for the fourth time in a row after they were edged by USC in a track meet at the LA Coliseum, 48-41. After trailing 17-0 after the first quarter, the Cats got things going against the Trojans and drew within a TD in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the game. In the end, the Cats couldn't stop the Trojan offense as Matt Barkley passed for 468 yards and Robert Woods caught 14 catches for 255 yards. Arizona never forced a punt the entire game as their defensive woes continued this season. The offense on the other hand, played well after being shut down in the first quarter. Foles passed for 425 and 4 TDs after throwing two INTs early in the game, his first of the season. Ka'Deem Carey contributed by scoring 3 TDs. Offensively, the Cats should not be discouraged, but the defense was nonexistent. If they can score 41 points against the rest of the teams on their schedule, regardless of their defense, they should be able to squeak away with at least 5 wins.