College Football Props: Heisman Trophy

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Since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the best player in college football each season. This is the biggest award one can receive in college football, which leads to a lot of discussion about it before, during and after the season. Robert Griffin III came out of nowhere to take down the prestigious award in 2011 while posting monster numbers at Baylor.

The odds have been set for the 2012 Heisman Trophy candidates. I’m going to go through and list some of my favorites while factoring in the odds with my decision-process. Here is a look at the ten guys you should keep an eye on in 2012.

My Top-10 Candidates

1. Matt Barkley, USC (3/1) – Barkley decided to come back for his senior season despite likely being a Top-3 pick in last year’s draft had he come out. He knows his team is loaded, and he’ll have an excellent chance to win a National Championship this year because of it. USC has opened as the No. 1 team in the preseason AP Poll, so he’s clearly the favorite to win the Heisman.

2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma (8/1) – Jones has thrown for a combined 9,181 yards and 67 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The senior will be leading a Sooners team that is clearly a national title contender this season. He’s primed for his best season yet.

3. EJ Manuel, Florida State (30/1) – I have Florida State winning the National Championship this season, so clearly I’m high on EJ Manuel for this award. The Seminoles have a schedule that sets them up for a good shot at a 12-0 season. He is the most accurate QB in FSU history, and when he missed two games last year due to injury, the Seminoles lost both.

4. Montee Ball, Wisconsin (6/1) – The 2011 Heisman Finalist led the nation in rushing (1,923 yards, 6.3/carry) and tied Barry Sanders’ single season record with 39 touchdowns. He’ll be the Badgers’ go-to guy on offense once again in 2012.

5. Denard Robinson, Michigan (15/2) – Robinson has a skillset that is unmatched by any other player in the country. He has thrown for at least 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards in two straight seasons. I have Michigan winning the Big Ten, and if that happens, his chances of winning the Heisman improve greatly.

6. Geno Smith, West Virginia (8/1) – Smith thrived in Dana Holgorsen’s offense last year, capping off a huge season with 401 yards and six touchdowns in the Mountaineers’ Orange Bowl victory over Clemson. He has one of the best receiving corps in the country to work with in 2012.

7. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina (18/1) – Lattimore rushed for 818 yards in just seven starts last year before being lost for the season with an injury. He’s arguably the best RB in the country, and if he can stay healthy for a full season, Lattimore will post monster numbers.

8. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (33/1) – Despite shaky offensive line play last year, Wilson threw for 3,638 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions. With better protection, a pass-happy offense, and several great targets, Wilson is in line for a big senior year.

9. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech (75/1) – Thomas improved as the season wore on last year in his first as a starter. He can pass (3,019 yards, 19 TD) and run (469 yards, 11 TD), making him one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the land. The Hokies are going to ask even more from him in 2012 as he leads an inexperienced offense.

10. Sammy Watkins, Clemson (35/1) – As only a freshman, Watkins earned first-team All-American honors last season with 82 receptions for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns despite making just 10 starts. His ability as a returner (838 yards) and a rusher (231 yards) will greatly help his cause in 2012.

Complete List of Odds

Matt Barkley (QB USC) 3/1

Montee Ball (RB Wisconsin) 6/1

Denard Robinson (QB Michigan) 15/2

Geno Smith (QB West Virginia) 8/1

Landry Jones (QB Oklahoma) 8/1

Aaron Murray (QB Georgia) 15/1

Marcus Lattimore (RB South Carolina) 18/1

De’Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon) 20/1

A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama) 23/1

E.J. Manuel (QB Florida State) 30/1

Tyler Wilson (QB Arkansas) 33/1

Rex Burkhead (RB Nebraska) 35/1

Sammy Watkins (WR Clemson) 35/1

Keith Price (QB Washington) 45/1

Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson) 45/1

Robert Woods (WR USC) 55/1

Joseph Randle (RB Oklahoma State) 65/1

Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State) 67/1

Marqise Lee (WR USC) 70/1

Marquess Wilson (WR Washington State) 70/1

Collin Klein (QB Kansas State) 75/1

Knile Davis (RB Arkansas) 75/1

Logan Thomas (QB Virginia Tech) 75/1

Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska) 80/1

Dayne Christ (QB Kansas) 85/1

Eddie Lacy (RB Alabama) 85/1

Giovani Bernard (RB North Carolina) 85/1

Henry Josey (RB Missouri) 85/1

James Franklin (QB Missouri) 85/1

Malcolm Brown (RB Texas) 85/1

Kenny Stills (WR Oklahoma) 90/1

Keenen Allen (WR California) 95/1

Le’Veon Bell (RB Michigan State) 120/1

Casey Pachall (QB TCU) 125/1

Tyler Bray (QB Tennessee) 130/1

Fitzgerald Toussaint (RB Miichigan) 140/1

Ray Graham (RB Pittsburgh) 150/1

Tavon Austin (WR West Virginia) 150/1

Teddy Bridgewater (QB Louisville) 150/1

Christine Michael (RB Texas A&M) 175/1

Jeff Tuel (QB Washington State) 175/1

Robbie Rouse (RB Fresno State) 175/1

Bryn Renner (QB North Carolina) 200/1

John White IV (RB Utah) 200/1

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