In 2012 we saw a guy named Johnny Football take over the scene of college football. He came out of nowhere and threw for 3700 yards and rushing for 1400 more on his way to being the first freshman ever to win the Heisman trophy. So will someone who was a front runner and well known all season win the Heisman or will somebody again come out of nowhere and take the nation by storm. Remember how a team does plays a big part in the relevance of a candidate no matter how good of a season he is having individually. Here are my predictions on who will win the Heisman.
Front Runners:
Johnny Manziel: (QB, Texas A&M)
I know a lot of people are unsure and don't really like Manziel anymore, evident by SEC coaches selecting Aaron Murray ahead of him on the preseason all-SEC team. His public image will definitely sway some voters minds, but if he has a season similar to last years and can lead A&M to a BCS bowl game he has a shot to win it back to back years.
Marcus Mariota: (QB, Oregon)
Mariota wont miss a beat with the departure of Chip Kelly. Oregon will still run it's high-flying offense with Mariota as the centerpiece. In 2012 he completed 69% of his passes for 2700 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to only 6 interceptions. He also ran the ball for another 750 yards and 5 touchdowns. Him running the spread option with De'Anthony Thomas is one of the scariest sights for a defense in college football. There one slip-up in 2012 was a 17-14 loss to Stanford in OT and Stanford's tying touchdown being very controversial with under 2 min left in regulation. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass and got overturned, probably costing Oregon a chance in the National championship. If Mariota can replicate his stats and Oregon wins at Stanford he could be the front runner.
Teddy Bridgewater: (QB, Louisville)
We all know Louisville doesn't have that tough of a schedule and Bridgewater has the same receivers from last year which includes DeVante Parker who caught 10 TD's last season. Well many think that Louisville will be able to run the table and possibly clinch a berth in the National Championship, this has to happen along with Bridgewater throwing for over 3700 yards and 35 TD's. Remember Louisville had their trouble last season with teams they should handle fairly easy. They lost to Syracuse, UCONN, and beat a 0-12 Southern Miss team by 4 points.
Tajh Boyd: (QB, Clemson)
Clemson's offense is fire with Boyd at the helm. This team will score points in bunches and can hang 50 in any game. In '12 Boyd threw for 3900 yards and 36 TD's to go along with rushing for 500 yards and 10 more TD's. The stats are there and enough to get him some votes. To go along with key games vs Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State in which if Clemson wins can skyrocket Boyd to the top of the Heisman charts. Factor in he also has one of the best receivers in the nation, in Sammy Watkins.
Next Up:
Braxton Miller: (QB, Ohio State)
Similar to Bridgewater in the fact that they don't have the toughest schedule. But, if Miller can lead OSU to a win at Michigan and even another undefeated season you can expect to see his name at the top of the list. He is another guy who has the stats, as he threw for over 2000 yards and rushed for 1300 more and a combined 28 TD's.
Aaron Murray: (QB, Georgia)
The guy can wing the ball evident by him throwing for nearly 4000 yards and 36 TD's in '12. Unlike, the players already mentioned he really isn't the centerpiece of the offense, I believe it is Todd Gurley who rushed for over 1300 yards last season. So another guy who has the stats and also a tough schedule that includes Clemson, South Carolina, LSU, and Florida. If he can lead Georgia to a BCS bowl his name will be thrown around.
AJ McCarron: (QB, Alabama)
McCarron doesn't put up the flashy stats like everyone else but he does more than just getting the job done. While throwing for 2900 yards in '12 you think that's alright, but put it with a TD:INT ratio of 30-3 and it opens up some eyes. If he can lead Bama an undefeated season, which is very possible if they can win at College Station, he might get a lot of votes.
Dark Horses:
Lache Seastrunk: (RB, Baylor)
Part of a high flying Baylor offense; ran for over 1000 yards last season, including nearly 500 yards in the last 3 games; also guaranteed himself he was going to win it this year.
De'Anthony Thomas: (RB, Oregon)
Another guy who will get a lot of touches in a high-flying offense and is the lead back with Kenjon Barner gone; 1600 all purpose yards and the fastest player in CFB
Marqise Lee: (WR, USC)
It doesn't matter who is throwing him the ball, he cant be covered. Expect the same or even more compared to his 118 catch, 1700 yard, 14 TD season from a year ago.
Todd Gurley: (RB, Georgia)
Rushed for over 1300 yards as a freshman; shares carries with Keith Marshall but with big performances against tough opponents could really help him
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