Top Five Heisman Candidates in 2012 - jmik58's Blog

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Top Five Heisman Candidates in 2012 Stuck

Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:16 AM.

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Understanding the Heisman trophy isn't as easy as choosing the best player in the nation.

College football's highest individual honor has followed an unwritten set of rules that go beyond performance on the field. Instead of being driven by stats, the Heisman has been dished out in a process that reveals a deep-rooted desire to turn the award into a package deal that represents all that is great about the sport.

Team, class, geography, style, and story; the unenumerated template to win the Heisman. Fill each slot and you've got a real chance. Falter in one area and you're just another pile of pretty numbers.

Fans of college football love the hope, innocence and raw pride that come with the youth of its participants. We cling to favorites and revel in the recruiting wars based out of geographical and conference-affiliated pride. The variety of playing styles and the range of abilities make the upsets even sweeter. And the ability to relate to the stories of young men -- as we remember how we once dreamed of similar achievements while coming from difficult times -- feeds our love for the story as we watch on as spectators.

The Heisman Trophy is much more than a performance-based award. It takes into account all of those factors and plays with the psyche of fans and voters. It jumbles them all up and spits them out on a cold New York, December night.

Here are the top five Heisman candidates for 2012, and how they fit the mold as potential winners.

5. E.J. Manuel, QB Florida State

At 6'4" 245 lbs, Manuel definitely fits the physical profile of a past Heisman quarterback winner. The potential for E.J. to hoist the Heisman, however, depends heavily on the success of his team. Several talented teams and players grace the southeastern portion of America which can easily divide up crucial votes come December. As a junior with dual-threat capability, Manuel needs to ride the success of Florida State if he wants any chance at a Heisman. The rebirth of the Seminoles into a national title contender would be all the story he needs to captivate the nation. If the 'Noles falter, so do his Heisman dreams in 2012.

4. Montee Ball, HB Wisconsin

Ball enters the season as the highest returning finisher from last year's Heisman voting (4th). Wisconsin is expected to contend for the Big 10 title, but I don't see them pulling it out. Montee will likely stand out as the biggest star at his position in the midwest region, but fans outside of the Big 10 will find it hard to tune into the Badgers' style of play on a weekly basis just to see Ball grind out yards on the ground. Ball's biggest story would be for him to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark -- something he came very close to doing in '11. However, if the Badgers fall short in the standings, Montee's Heisman hopes will fade as well.

3. Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

One of the most immediate differences in 2012 that will help Jones' case is the return to "normal" in the Big 12. Teams like Baylor and Oklahoma State had once-in-a-generation years, while Oklahoma battled injuries to stay afloat near the top of the conference. The Sooners defense didn't help matters much either, giving up big points in upset losses to the likes of Texas Tech. Landry, a senior, is definitely a big-numbers guy playing for an explosive offense. If he dominates as expected, he has the entire midwest and south-central part of America at his disposal for votes. The biggest question for Jones is the success of the Sooners. History has proven that if Oklahoma can stay in national championship contention, so to is it likely their quarterback can win the Heisman.

2. Aaron Murray, QB Georgia

Be the best player, on the best team, in the best conference in America. It's hard to find a better formula for guaranteed accolades in college football. The redshirt junior quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs is poised to be just that guy. Murray's biggest personal hurdle may be his conventional style of play. He no doubt could put up amazing numbers with his arm, but is that enough to satisfy fans and voters who come to expect electrifying plays from quarterbacks beyond a drop-back pass? Murray also must compete in a geographic hot-bed of Heisman talent. There are sure to be other eligible candidates who could steal votes from Murray when the time comes to cast the final ballot. The biggest hurdle, however, appears to be the SEC. If Georgia can somehow find a way to run the table and finish as SEC champions, Murray should be a favorite to earn the Heisman.

1. Matt Barkley, QB USC

On the surface, everything screams Barkley for Heisman in 2012. As the top-rated player out of high school, the Golden Boy from the Land of Troy has been groomed as the top selection in next year's NFL draft. USC, by many publications, is considered to be the clear-cut favorite to run away with the PAC 12 this year. An undefeated season would also likely mean a guaranteed appearance in the national championship game. A sixth place finisher in the 2011 Heisman standings, Barkley elected to come back for his senior year to lead the Trojans one last time.

His success and accomplishments, however, do little to guarantee a Heisman award -- just ask Andrew Luck. But what Barkley has that Luck didn't -- a story -- should all but guarantee that USC brings home the Heisman once again. The fallout and sanctions that held USC out of postseason competition until this year have left Trojan fans and players salivating for 2012. A seemingly selfless act (considering he could have transferred or left early for the NFL) Barkley has positioned himself as a team-first player.

He has the respect on the field of an Andrew Luck and the potential to bring back a struggling program similar to Robert Griffin III. And while not as outspoken about his faith like Tim Tebow, Barkley has done significant charitable works in his community and presents himself as a man of great character.

If Barkley and the Trojans pull through in '12, the west coast and all of America will be his.

Sound Off: Who are your Heisman favorites for 2012?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.

Comments

# 1 charter04 @ Jun 27

I would have to include Tyier Wilson in the top 5. QB Arkansas. I think he has a slightly better chance than Manuel. Of coarse I'm trying not to be biased. Lol

# 2 jmik58 @ Jun 27

@charter04 Tyler Wilson is a very good candidate as well. I think he is on par with Murray, but the biggest obstacle for Wilson will be the rest of the SEC. Murray and Wilson may put up similar numbers, but I think Georgia has the better team and potential for a better record. If the Heisman truly was about "the best player" -- no doubt Wilson makes the top five.

# 3 scottyo60 @ Jun 27

Tyler Wilson has Cobi Hamilton returning as well as Knile Davis back. He should be solid candidate. It pains me, but Geno Smith needs to be over Landry Jones.

My top 5 go
5. Geno Smith
4. Tyler Wilson
3. Montee Ball
2. Denard Robinson
1. Matt Barkley

Denard is my wildcard... Sammy Watkins deserves some love too.

# 4 Army801st @ Jun 27

Hands down!! Maybe not!! Who saw the last two heismen winners!! Just beyond the ovious is logan thomas VTech or maybe another fast unknown!!

# 5 JoSiiF @ Jun 27

what about the honey badger? anyone?

# 6 PackerBacker123 @ Jun 27

All I know is Ill be pulling for Ball...

# 7 zmcman1 @ Jun 27

To be a Heisman candidate, you need to be good. E.J. Manuel is not good.

# 8 Elgin2311 @ Jun 27

1.Matt Barkley
2. Deanthony Thomas
3. Monte Ball
4.Denard Robinson
5. Jadavion Clowney

# 9 Elgin2311 @ Jun 27

Logan Thomas lost alot of weapons to the draft, and to be honest I would take EJ over him

# 10 DGMikeBarker @ Jun 27

I expect West Virginia and Clemson to put up huge numbers offensively, so Geno Smith and Tajh Boyd will get a lot of love. But unless USC doesn't win the Pac 12, Matt Barkley will win the trophy.

# 11 reginald_rush @ Jun 28

I think Barkley has a huge advantage, if they go undefeated. There is always a dark horse that makes the race interesting and I think it will be Knile Davis! Roll Tide!

# 12 padsfan92 @ Jun 28

My list would have Logan Thomas in and Manuel out. I also like Marcus Lattimore to bounce back from his leg injury and make some noise, let's face it when he is on the football field he is a beast