2012 Heisman Trophy Odds have Matt Barkley listed as a +385 moneyline favorite to win the Ed Smith modeled prize this year. College football’s most prestigious award, the Heisman Trophy, will be handed out for the 78th time this December. Familiar names from the past few seasons, like Andrew Luck and LaMichael James, will no longer be vying for the coveted honor; however, players like USC’s Matt Barkley, Wisconsin’s Montee Ball, and Michigan’s Denard Robinson should be well recognized by both fans and voters alike.
Matt Barkley Heisman Trophy Odds (QB – USC) +385: Barkley’s junior season at USC proved to be his best as the Newport, California native completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns (all career highs). Barkley also posted career lows in interceptions and sacks at seven and eight respectively. Working in Barkely’s favor is the return of his top target, wide receiver Robert Woods. Woods, himself a Heisman candidate, caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as a sophomore.
Montee Ball Heisman Trophy Odds (RB – Wisconsin) +500: Ball, a senior tailback out of Wentzville, Missouri, earned Heisman finalist honors last year after rushing for 1,923 yards on 307 attempts (6.3 yards per carry). Ball, who tallied 33 rushing touchdowns, also made his presence felt in the passing game, reeling in 24 receptions for 306 yards and six scores. Some turnover on the Badgers offensive line may affect his numbers some this season; more specifically his yards per carry average, but rest assured Head Coach Bret Bielema will give Ball the ball early and often.
Landry Jones Heisman Trophy Odds (QB – Oklahoma) +650: Jones, another surprise returnee, saw his numbers drop from his sophomore year to his junior campaign, but most pundits expect the New Mexico product to bounce back in his final season as a Sooner. Besides, it was not as though he was chump change last year, totaling 4,463 yards and 29 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.
Denard Robinson Heisman Trophy Odds (QB – Michigan) +650: The dual threat Robinson led Michigan (11-2) to its best record in five seasons after throwing for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns (15 picks) and rushing for 1,176 yards (5.3 ypc) and 16 scores. The guy is already special, but another off-season of development under second year Head Coach Brady Hoke could ensure him a finalist spot come December.
Note: Looking for a Heisman winner? Stick to quarterbacks. Yes, there have been a number of running backs win the award, including the only two time Heisman winner Archie Griffin, but quarterbacks have been the choice of late with field generals claiming 10 of the last 12 trophies.
The best of the rest:
Aaron Murray (QB – Georgia) +1200
A.J. McCarron (QB- Alabama) +2000
Collin Klien (QB –Kansas State) +5000
Dayne Crist (QB – Kansas) +2000
DeAnthony Thomas +2000
E.J. Manuel (QB – Florida State) +3000
Geno Smith (QB –West Virginia) +800
James Vandenberg (QB – Iowa) +5000
Keith Price (QB – Washington) +2800
Marcus Lattimore (RB – South Carolina) +1500
Rex Burkhead (RB – Nebraska) +2000
Robert Woods (WR – USC) +4000
Sammy Watkins (WR- Clemson) +2000
Tajh Boyd (QB – Clemson) +3000
Taylor Martinez (QB – Nebraska) +3000
Tyler Wilson (QB – Arkansas) +2000
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