Published: August 22, 2009 05:14 pm      

McNeish's blog: 2009 Heisman hopefuls blog contest

Let's talk 2009 Heisman Trophy candidates. What are the hot names? Who are the safe bets? Who are the dark horses?

This season marks the second time college football's top three Heisman finishers returned to school. Two of them already have a Heisman, which means one could join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only player to capture the honor twice.

Below I've listed my top five Heisman hopefuls for the 2009 season. Let me know why you agree or disagree. Take out those crystal balls and take a stab at it.

Who do you think will take home this year's Heisman?

5. JEVAN SNEAD, QB, OLE MISS

Snead is a long shot, but he has generated Heisman buzz after his team earned a No. 8 preseason ranking. He could follow in the footsteps of Eli Manning, who finished third in Heisman voting for the Rebels in 2003 and went No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

Last season, Snead led Ole Miss to a 9-4 record, including wins over national champion Florida, 2007 defending champ LSU and Big 12 South contender Texas Tech.

Ole Miss needs to win the SEC for Snead to become a Heisman frontrunner.

The Rebels have a favorable schedule and face their tougher opponents in Oxford. Playing for an up-and-coming SEC program will also give Snead enough national television exposure.

4. JAHVID BEST, RB, CAL

In any other year, Best would probably rank higher on this list. Best's Heisman chances boil down to one question:

Can a flashy running back outshine a trio of darling quarterbacks?

Cal's speedster has the best chance. Pundits call him the most exciting player returning to college football. He rushed for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, and if he can stay healthy, a 2,000-yard season seems possible.

A memorable game Oct. 3 against USC would give Best a chance to leapfrog any of the top QBs in the Heisman race. Last season, Best managed just 30 yards on 13 carries against the Trojans.

If he puts on a show against USC, and another the week before at No. 16-ranked Oregon, Best could crack the top three.

3. SAM BRADFORD, QB, OKLAHOMA

Bradford became the second straight sophomore to win the Heisman after leading the best offense in the modern era. He threw for 4,270 yards, 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions while helping the Sooners score 51.1 points per game.

However, it's hard to imagine him duplicating those numbers. Especially with a revamped offensive line.

While posting monster stats last year, Bradford operated behind an experienced offensive line that allowed only 14 sacks. This year's O-line, though, has four new starters.

If school history means anything, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White won the 2003 Heisman and returned the next season. But he placed third in 2004 voting, which crowned USC quarterback Matt Leinart over Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.

2. COLT McCOY, QB, TEXAS

McCoy has history on his side. Since only one player has claimed the Heisman twice, percentages say Bradford and Tebow won't win it this year.

That leaves McCoy, the electrifying Longhorn QB who set an NCAA record last season with a 76.7 completion percentage. He passed for 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns, plus rushed for a team-best 561 yards.

McCoy, the Heisman runner-up last year, must lead Texas past Oklahoma on Oct. 17. A loss in that one gives Bradford an edge.

Four Heisman runners-up have won the award the following year: Michigan's Tom Harmon in 1940, Army's Davis in '46, USC's O.J. Simpson in '68 and Georgia's Herschel Walker in '82.

1. TIM TEBOW, QB, FLORIDA

Tebow will undoubtedly attempt to show scouts he has the skills to play quarterback in the NFL. And when one of the best college football players ever enters his last season trying to prove a point, watch out.

Tebow became the first-ever sophomore to win the Heisman in 2007, and last season he led Florida to its second national title in three years.

"We'll see what happens this year, but if Florida wins a third national championship and Tebow wins a second Heisman, we could very easily say that Tim Tebow was the greatest competitor in college football history," ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer told the Arizona Republic.

Tebow is the leading candidate because he's already a celebrity.

He's the leading candidate because of his illustrious college career, arguably the best ever.

Finally, he's the leading candidate because Tim Tebow is a sports role model our society needs, a pleasant distraction from the arrests and scandals, and that should at least make him a favorite to win a bronze statute.

OTHERS TO WATCH — Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State; Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State; Johnathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech; Terrell Pryor, QB, Ohio State.

Who will win the 2009 Heisman Trophy?

We want your opinion. Send your answer and an explanation to smcneish@clintonherald.com. The Herald will post the top-five responses Thursday in this blog. Type "Heisman answer" in the subject line and include your name (or a nickname) and where you live. Responses will be edited only for grammar. Replies with profanity or otherwise inappropriate language will not be considered.

Thank you to all readers who participated in the "To Vick or not to Vick" blog contest. Keep up the good work.