The Heisman Trophy may not guarantee its winner a long and successful pro football career, but there isn't a single college player who wouldn't love to display the bronze statue on his mantle.
Heck, they can even be used later in life as collateral for paying off civil penalties after you get off on a murder rap. Right O.J.?
For most college football standouts, their chances of being awarded the Heisman are practically nil unless they playing quarterback or running back for a BCS contender. That's just the way the American media hype machine works.
The two quarterbacks with the best shot at attaining Heisman glory this year are Louisville's Brian Brohm and USC's John David Booty. Both QBs lead teams that have BCS Bowl aspirations this 2007 season and the one that actually leads his team there should have the edge in the Heisman race.
Brohm and the Cardinals are in for a tough fight in the Big East this year from West Virginia and Rutgers. The Cardinals' QB has a live arm and he really showed what he is capable of in last year's Orange Bowl when he roasted Wake Forest for 311 yards. Brohm missed two games last season, which cut into his final numbers. If Brohm can't stay healthy for the entire season this year, his Heisman window will close.
Playing quarterback at USC these days almost makes you a Heisman contender by default. When it comes to Booty though, he's the real deal. Like Brohm, Booty flashed his immense skill in a bowl game last season when he picked apart Michigan for 391 yards and four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl.
Booty has far fewer offensive weapons around him heading into this season, but if he can continue to put up big numbers without the mass of talent around him, it could garner him even more Heisman votes. If Booty leads USC back the BSC Bowl game, he could become the fourth player from USC to claim the Heisman in the last six years.
If a QB doesn't end up with the Heisman, it almost always ends up in the hands of a running back. This year's biggest standouts in the backfield are Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Steve Slaton of West Virginia.
McFadden finished as the runner-up to Troy Smith last year, which makes him a Heisman contender by default. However, to have a chance at actually winning this year, McFadden will have to live up to, or more likely exceed his performance from last season.
If anyone can do that, it's McFadden. The Razorback back is a solid combination of size, speed and power who's hard to tackle and can break off a huge run when he reaches open field.
Slaton may very well be the best running back in college football team right now. Blessed with blazing speed and a never-quit attitude, Slaton fights hard for every yard. That determination to stretch out every carry just that much further paid off for Slaton last season, as he rushed for an amazing seven yards per carry.
If Slaton can match that and find the end zone with regularity, he could take West Virginia to the top of the Big East and earn himself plenty of Heisman consideration. One thing that could trip Slaton up on his way to Heisman gold is his teammate QB Pat White. White, with his own excellent rushing ability and rocket arm is also a Heisman hopeful and could end up splitting votes with Slaton keeping both of them from winning the award.
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