Heisman Watch 2012

Last year was supposed to be Andrew Lucks year, but RGIII stole the show and took the prize. This year doesn't have that same "his to lose feeling". It could go to a number of guys including Montee Ball or Tyrann Mathieu who got an invite to New York last year. There will be a couple of QB's though that are sure to surge up that list though in 2012, but who will it be? Here is my Heisman 2012 predictions.

1. Matt Barkley: Last year Barkley was 308 for 446 which is hitting  69.1% of his passes. He had 39 TD and only 7 picks leading the Trojans to a 10-2 season. I have Barkley number one on my list right now because I think his numbers will stay up playing PAC-12 D's, and USC has been known to produce a few Heisman winners.



2. Montee Ball: Last season Ball had an amazing 33TD's tying Barry Sanders for the most in a season, and that was with Russell Wilson at QB. Now that Wilson is gone Wisconsin will need Ball to step up even more. So the question is can he get over 2000 yards (1923 yrds in 2011) and can he break the 33 TD record? If so watch out.

3. Tyler Wilson: How will Bobby Petrino leaving and all the arrest in Razorback country affect Wilson? Them are questions that will remain to be seen, but with little brother Petrino still around calling the plays and Davis back to make D's play up a little and not just drop back will actually bring up Wilson's number which would put him at Heisman level. Last season he was 277 for 438 for 3638yrds that 63.2% CMP with 24 TD's and only 6 INT's.

  4. Marcus Lattimore: If he can stay healthy and that's a BIG if, then Lattimore at 6'1" 232lbs has the ability to be a guy that gets invited to New York. Last year he ran for only 818 yrds, but he was averaging 5.0 yards pre carry. I just feel that it's his time to have one long solid year.

5. Tyrann Mathieu: I'm not sure a DB can get back to New York in back to back years, but his ability to change the game as a return man his ability to cause turnovers and turn them in to defense scores will keep in the top five for now. What will hurt the Honey Badger is that teams will now start to kick away from him. Also with Claiborne gone teams will start to avoid passing in his direction.

6. Denard Robinson: He can make his case in game one when he will face off against the defending National Champions Alabama in Dallas. If he was to have a big showing in that game on national television then his campaign will take off. Robinson isn't a great passer and that's what he will have to improve on in order to crack the top 5. Last season he was 142 out of 258 55% for 2173 yrds with 20 TD's and 15 INT's. His X factor is his legs rushing for 1176 yrds and adding 16 more TD's.

7. Landry Jones: I think he might be the most NFL ready QB in college football, but what will be holding him down this season is lack of  WR's. Jones was 355 out of 562 ATT 63.2% for 4463 yrds with 29 TD's and 15 INT's. If the Sooners can stay healthy and stay in the title race then Jones could be looking at a trip to NY.

8. Geno Smith: Watching him in last years embaresing Orange bowl Smith looked all world, but Smith and co will be moving to the Big 12 this year which is not known for it's defense, but it will be tougher than the Big East. Last year Smith was 346 out of 526 that's 65.8% for 4385 yards with 31 TD's and 7 INT's. In his last outing vs Clemson he was 32 of 43 for 407 yards with 6 TD's and no picks! Numbers like that could push Smith way up the list.

9. De'Anthony Thomas: He's a small RB at 5'9" and 160lbs, but with James and Darron Thomas gone De'Anthony will be the Ducks feature play maker meaning he will rack up the stats, and with the Ducks in the national picture year and year out now look for his name to be mentioned in the Heisman talks.

10. Collin Klein: This guy took an un-ranked team to a 10 win season in 2011 and carried them on his back though out. Klein and the Wildcats won't sneak up on anyone this year, but Klein very well could be in route to a 2000 yard passing 1000 yard rushing season. If the Cats become a 10 win team and Klein plays to the same level he did last season and say they win some big games like Baylor did last season then Klein stock could shoot way up.

The Dark horses

• Aaron Murray
• Knile Davis
• A.J. McCarron
• Eddie Lacy
• Sammy Watkins
  
• Robert Woods
• Tajh Boyd



-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13