2007 Spring Questions - The Heisman Race

Who are the top Heisman candidates, who'll be in the hunt at some point this year, and who'll put up the big numbers but won't get in?

- 2006 Spring Questions 14-20 | 7-13 | 4-6 | 1-3
- 2007 Spring Questions No. 20 to No. 16 | No. 15 to No. 11
- No. 10 to No. 6 | No. 5 (surprise teams) and No. 4 (breakthrough players)

3. The call on the Heisman finalists before spring ball starts ...

John David Booty, QB USC
The marquee player on the best team in America. While defense will be the reason USC rocks, and the receiving corps won't be good as last year, Booty might get the honor by default.
He'll win it if ... He's ultra-efficient, plays big in the high profile games (especially early at Nebraska), and leads USC into the national title game.

Chad Henne, QB Michigan
Henne will put up efficient numbers on one of the nation's top offenses. While he won't be near the top of the NCAA passing charts because of Mike Hart and the offensive balance, he'll put up more than his share of big plays.
He'll win it if ... He's seen as the leader who makes the machine go. Coming through big in wins over Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Ohio State and leads Michigan to the national title game will be a must.

Colt McCoy, QB Texas
Before getting hurt against Kansas State, McCoy was starting to be seen as the thinking-man's candidate to go to New York as a finalist. He has all his receiving weapons back and should put up even better numbers than last year.
He'll win it if ... He goes lights-out against Oklahoma and has Texas in the national title hunt. Unlike seniors Booty and Henne, McCoy has to have special numbers to win since many voters will hose him over on the underclassman factor.

Steve Slaton, RB West Virginia
Even though Darren McFadden and Mike Hart will get the early nod for Heisman consideration, Slaton will be the nation's best back if he can stay healthy for a full season.
He'll win it if ... He rips off monster games when the world is watching against Louisville and Rutgers. Flirting with 2,000 yards would be nice, but being at the head of the highlight reels would be even better.

Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii
The flat-out numbers are going to be mind-boggling. All the top receivers return, and unlike last year, the world will be watching and scrutinizing every game and every stat.
He'll win it if ... The numbers are even better. No sweat, all he has to do is improve on the greatest passing season in the history of college football. Unfortunately, if he doesn't improve, everyone will downgrade him because his 2006 campaign will have been better.

Five who'll be mentioned in the race at some point this year

Brian Brohm, QB Louisville
He won't win it because ... The numbers aren't going to be there in the balanced Steve Kragthorpe attack. He might get close if Louisville is in the national title hunt, but he'll have to settle for being the top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Mike Hart, RB Michigan
He won't win it because ... Heisman winners don't seem to care about steady, 100-yard performances choosing the backs who put up the mega-days with flash and dash. The passing game will keep Hart from putting up the stats to get to New York.

Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
He won't win it because ... Two words: marked man. There's no questioning his talent or NFL potential, but he likely won't be in the spotlight quite as much if Arkansas, as expected, isn't the SEC West star it was last year.

P.J. Hill, RB Wisconsin
He won't win it because ... No pizzazz. He'll have to be the nation's rushing leader and Wisconsin must be in the thick of the national title race to get any Heisman consideration. Most voters will assume 2008 will be the year for the Badger thunderback.

Pat White, QB West Virginia
He won't win it because ... Steve Slaton. White might be the Big East's most valuable player when all is said and done, but Heisman types seem to like No. 10 far more.

Five who'll put up ridiculous numbers but won't get a sniff

Damion Fletcher, RB Southern Miss
If he gets any help from the passing game to take the heat off, and if the offensive line produces, he'll be among the nation's rushing leaders.

Chase Holbrook, QB New Mexico State
Colt Brennan will get the Heisman hype, but Holbrook will be in the thick of the race to be atop the nation's passing leaders.

Brian Johnson, QB Utah
The knee is healthy, the offense is in place, and Johnson should be Alex Smith part two.

Ian Johnson, RB Boise State
Mr. Automatic around the goal line will see his numbers slip a bit with too many new starters around him, but he'll have a few jaw-dropping multi-score games.

Curtis Painter, QB Purdue
With the receiving corps he has to work with, he'll be the Big Ten's passing leader by a long shot and should finish among the nation's top five.