2013 College Football Picks: Heisman Trophy Dark Horses and Sleepers: Before the start of every college football season, there are always a handful of players that make the short list of preseason Heisman favorites. While these players have a natural edge because of the early attention they receive, there have still be plenty of players that have had a Heisman campaign gain steam once the season begins. Last year, it was freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel. He went from nearly being suspended for the entire year because of his involvement in a bar fight to upsetting top-ranked Alabama and lighting up just about every defense in the SEC. For every Heisman favorite, there is another sleeper candidate that is one big play away from stealing spotlight and winning the most-prestigious individual honor in college football. Here is a closer look at a few players that could emerge during the season and ultimately capture the Heisman Trophy in 2013.
The Dark Horses
Coming off a great year that included an upset of Florida in the Sugar Bowl, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has seen his NFL stock skyrocket along with Heisman hopes. He threw for 27 scores and more than 3,700 yards last year while completing more than 68 percent of his passes. Bridgewater also displayed some excellent leadership qualities as he led the Cardinals to a Big East crown and a BCS bowl despite dealing with multiple injuries. With a very manageable schedule, Bridegwater has a chance to lead the Cardinals to an undefeated season and put up some eye-popping numbers in the process. He will probably need some of the Heisman hopefuls at bigger schools to falter, but if they do, Bridegwater will be ready to take advantage.
In his first year as starting quarterback for Oregon, Marcus Mariota threw for more than 2,600 yards, ran for more than 700 and combined for 37 scores. He also completed 68.5 percent of his pass and threw just six interceptions. As the engine that drives the high-powered Oregon offense, Mariota’s statistical figures are likely to gaudy once again. However, the same will likely to be true for De’Anthony Thomas and several other teammates. Mariota is going to have to make a few individual plays in big spots that distinguish him as the most valuable member of the Ducks’ attack if he wants to nab the Heisman Trophy.
He has posted back-to-back monster statistical season, and Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd can be penciled in for around 4,000 passing yards and 40-plus total touchdowns again this year. Of course, the problem for Boyd isn’t the on-paper numbers. The Tigers have had a bad habit of losing games that they just shouldn’t lose and coming up small on big stages. He can throw and run for as many yards and as many scores as he wants, but if Boyd doesn’t also lead Clemson to an ACC title and a couple of statement victories, he will once again be on the outside looking in. On the flip side, he will become a serious threat to bring home the Heisman if the Tigers are in the national championship conversation.
The Sleepers
He actually finished fourth in the Heisman voting last year, and in two years at USC, Marqise Lee has amassed 191 catches, 25 touchdowns and more than 2,800 yards. By the way, he also returns kicks. Lee has blazing speed to torch defenses deep, and he has the open-field moves to turn any catch into a big play. There is no denying his talent and his status as the top prospect at the receiver position, but it is a legitimate question as to whether or not he can replicate his impressive stats without Matt Barkley under center and without Robert Woods deflecting some of the attention on the other side of the field.
His freshman year at Alabama included a national title, 1,108 rushing yards, 12 rushing scores and a one game-winning touchdown catch against rival LSU in Death Valley. Now, T.J. Yeldon gets a chance to be the bell cow of the Crimson Tide backfield with the departure of Eddie Lacy to the NFL. With Nick Saban’s love of the ground-and-pound approach and Alabama’s always-massive offensive line, his numbers will likely be much more impressive this year. The bigger issue for Yeldon will be quarterback A.J. McCarron stealing the spotlight as he tries to guide the Crimson Tide to a third-straight national title.
Odds to win the 2013 Heisman Trophy
3901 Aaron Murray +800
3902 AJ McCarron +1500
3903 Ameer Abdullah +2000
3904 Blake Bell +5000
3905 Braxton Miller +650
3906 Brett Hundley +4000
3907 De’Anthony Thomas +800
3908 Devin Gardner +5000
3909 Duke Johnson +1200
3910 Teddy Bridgewater +800
3912 Jadeveon Clowney +1200
3913 Jeff Driskel +4000
3914 Johnny Manziel +500
3915 Ka’Deem Carey +4000
3916 Marcus Mariota +3000
3917 Marquis Lee +1200
3918 Stefon Diggs +5000
3919 Stephen Morris +2500
3920 Tajh Boyd +1500
3921 TJ Yeldon +800
3922 Taylor Martinez +1500
3923 Lache Seastrunk +2500
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