Let the Competition Begin!

Hi, I'm Scott Cooley and I will be tracking the athletes competing for the Heisman Trophy this football season. Everyweek I will tell you who's stock is rising or falling and I will be talking about the impressive and depressing performances of the weekend. Going into each weekend I will also have a top five organized and I will tell you what to expect from these athletes going into their games.

I started this blog a little late as the first weekend and has come and past, but I will still start off with my preseason top five.

1. Tim Tebow (Jr. QB Florida) - Since no one had played a game yet since last year it's hard to argue against putting the guy who won the award last year as this year's number one. Oh, and also those 32 passing and 23 rushing touchdowns. He also had the second highest quarterback rating in the nation at 172.47.

2. Chris "Beanie" Wells (Jr. RB Ohio State) - The best running back in the country. That's all you really need to know about this guy. He has the speed, quickness, power and size to be an absolute force for Ohio State this year. And, if Ohio State can stay undefeated that won't hurt his chances either. He is the second leading rusher returning from last year in the nation. Wells comes up big in big games (146 rushing yards, including a 65 yard touchdown dash, against LSU in the title game last January) and he'll need to be huge against USC in their battle early in the season.

3. Chase Daniel (Sr. QB Missouri) - 33 passing touchdowns and 4306 yards through the air are great numbers. Daniel is my favorite quarterback from the Big 12 to win or at least compete for this award. There are probably going to be more Big 12 quarterbacks to tap into my top five or at least be mentioned in this blog than any other position in any other conference. If Daniel can lead Mizzou to a conference title and a BCS bowl he very well could be the Heisman winner. His greatest asset could become his greatest opponent in this competition, however. Jeremy Maclin, wide receiver for the Tigers, is also hoping to get deeper into the Heisman conversation. He could potentially steal some votes away from his teammate with his incredible speed.

4. Michael Crabtree (So. WR Texas Tech) - Last year Michael Crabtree led the nation in receptions with 134, receiving yards with 1962, and touchdown receptions with 22. He did all of this in his first year in uniform! With Tech's pass happy offense, look for Crabtree to continue to pile up the numbers. This may also be the reason he doesn't win. Tech has always had players put up gaudy numbers and come away without any hardware at the end of the season. This is also a case where a teammate may come in and steal the show. Graham Harrell is Crabtree's quarterback, and he is looking to put up numbers we've never seen before. If he can and if Tech goes to a well respected bowl game look for both of these guys to be in the conversation in December.

5. Sam Bradford (So. QB Oklahoma) - Bradford threw 36 touchdowns to only 8 interceptions, and he did that as a freshman. Now in his second year under center, look for Bradford to at least replicate these numbers. If Bradford can, Oklahoma will win the Big 12 crown and could be playing for the national title come January.

On the Outside Looking In

1. Pat White (Sr. QB West Virginia) - Pat White has a lot of work to do this year if he wants to win the Heisman. He is a feared dual-threat quarterback who has rushed for over 1000 yards and has hit the teens in rushing touchdowns the last two years as well, but he won't win the Heisman unless he can put the ball in the endzone through the air. The Big 12 has too many good quarterbacks throwing the ball all over the field and they will completely over shadow him if he can't improve his pocket presence. No quarterback in this day and age will ever win the Heisman if he only throws 14 touchdown passes.

2. Todd Reesing (Jr. QB Kansas) - Incredible competitor who easily gets overshadowed in the Big 12. Threw for 33 touchdowns and only 7 picks. Kansas needs to pick up where they left off last year.

3. Knowshon Moreno (So. RB Georgia) - An excellent Freshman campaign last season. Over 1300 yards and 14 touchdown on the ground.

4. P.J. Hill (Jr. RB Wisconsin) - Hill had 14 rushing touchdowns last season while missing two full games and part of another due to injury. Hill is a punishing back who doesn't shy away from contact. He is an old-school Big Ten guy.

5. Matt Stafford (Jr. QB Georgia) - He had solid stats with 19 touchdown passes last season, but not good enough numbers for the Heisman. Stafford is being projected as the top quarterback in the 2009 NFL draft if he decides to leave school after this season.

Dark Horses

1. Dan LeFevour (Jr. QB Central Mich.) - I absolutely love this guy! 3600 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. 1100 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. He is the poorman's Tim Tebow! He may be the best player you will never hear of, unless the Chippewas can go undefeated and somehow break into the BCS.

2. Nate Davis (Jr. QB Ball State) - In 2007 Davis threw 30 touchdown passes to only 6 picks. He had 442 yards and 3 touchdowns in a one point loss at Nebraska last year.

3. Todd Boeckman (Sr. QB Ohio State) - Boeckman is a very solid, smart player. If he plays well against USC he can build the confidence the Buckeyes need from their QB to make their run for the national title, and there's nothing the voters like more than the quarterback in the national title game.

Other notables

Ian Johnson (Sr. RB Boise State)

James Davis (Sr. RB Clemson)

James Laurinaitis (Sr. LB Ohio St.)