Locker’s odds of winning the Heisman Trophy? About 15-1
Published 12:05 am Friday, September 3, 2010
Handicapping the preseason Heisman Trophy field:
n Terrelle Pryor, Jr. QB, Ohio State (odds: 5-1): He seems to be everyone’s favorite. Makes a lot of highlight reels, might need to get Buckeyes into national-title game.
n Mark Ingram, Jr. RB, Alabama (7-1): Won last year, but he might have to put up even better numbers than a year ago. Crimson Tide’s offense should be team’s strength this time. Will miss the season opener with a banged up knee.
n Kellen Moore, Jr. QB, Boise State (10-1): Nobody has won from a non-BCS school in two decades. But if Broncos can run the table, he figures to get tons of good pub.
n Ryan Mallett, Jr. QB, Arkansas (12-1): He should get the stats, but probably has to avoid too many losses on a tough schedule.
n Jake Locker, Sr. QB, Washington (15-1): Might be first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, but he must lead the Huskies to at least nine wins to have a realistic shot. That’s just the way this thing usually shakes out.
n Case Keenum, Sr. QB, Houston (18-1): Like Mallett, he’ll have the stats. But Cougars need to win a bunch, particularly when they play outside of Conference USA.
n Andy Dalton, Sr. QB, Texas Christian (20-1): Like Moore, his chances become more viable the longer the Horned Frogs remain unbeaten.
n Dion Lewis, So. RB, Pittsburgh (25-1): Panthers are favored in Big East, and second-year guys have struck the Heisman pose each of the past three Decembers.
n Noel Devine, Sr. RB, West Virginia (30-1): He’s as explosive as they get, but it it would obviously help if Mountaineers can crack the Top 10.
n LeMichael James, So. RB, Oregon (35-1): Ducks figure to score early and often. If they can work their way into national-title contention, he could work his way into the finalist conversation.
Five others worth pondering: Julio Jones, Jr. WR, Alabama; Matt Barkley, So. QB, Southern California; Andrew Luck, So. QB, Stanford; DeMarco Murray, Sr. RB, Oklahoma; Jacory Harris, Jr. QB, Miami.
