Pre-Season College Football – Heisman Trophy Prediction
We are still several months away from the start of the 2012 college football schedule, but here at Caperspicks.com, we never stop looking at some of the best NCAA football odds on the internet.
Last season was one of the better races in recent memory. It was a race between a pair of exceptional quarterbacks — Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck out of Baylor and Stanford respectively.
While Baylor’s signal caller took the award home, it is the latter that will likely be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
I feel that it is safe to say that this year’s crop will have some big shoes to fill, so let’s take a looks at five of the top candidates for the 2012 Heisman Trophy award.
1. Matt Barkley, USC, QB-7/2
This guy should have been invited a year ago, and he will likely be the favorite entering this season. The USC quarterback put up gaudy numbers a year ago, and is expected to do the same again this season with most of his skill players back in the fold. He passed up on the chance to be a top ten pick in the draft to try and do what Andrew Luck could not.
That is to win a Heisman, and a championship. But keep in mind, as we found out last year, the man that is the bona fide favorite isn’t always the one that ends up winning the award.
2. Denard Robinson, Michigan, QB-5/1
Robinson is now a senior, bit it doesn’t feel like that long ago when he came out of nowhere to captivate all audiences with his running ability. Robinson has over 2,000 passing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons calling the shots in Ann Arbor. Now has to prove that he can throw the ball even more if he wants to lead Michigan back to glory.
He will get his chance to shine early as the Wolverines take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in week one.
3. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, QB-16/1
Bobby Petrino has churns out some brilliant quarterbacks in his college coaching days. Brian Brohm, Ryan Mallett, and now it looks like Tyler Wilson is going to take their place. In his first year starting he had an outstanding season. He led the Razorbacks to a top 5 ranking in the final polls, and had every chance to beat the two teams that were in the national title game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Now with Knile Davis back in the fold, expectations have never been higher in Arkansas.
4. De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon-20/1
I didn’t list a position for this guy because he truly does it all. As a true freshman a year ago he scored 18 total touchdowns for this potent Oregon attack. He ran them in, he caught a few, and he even had two returns for scores. If he is able to even somewhat replicate those numbers he will definitely be in contention.
To the odds makers, Thomas is the wild card, but could pay big dividends for the serious bettor.
5. Landry Jones, Oklahoma, QB-7/1
Finally, yet another quarterback makes our list. Although Jones was on the Heisman short list at the start of last season, a couple of bad losses ultimately knocked him out of contention.
Oklahoma looks to be an outstanding team again this season, and if they are able to live up to expectations, he will no doubt be a player in the running for this prestigious award.
If there are any ncaa football gambling experts out there who pay attention to the Heisman process, they’ll probably agree with me and know that at this time of year it’s pretty darn hard to pick the winner…most years…right?
