2014 Heisman Watch (Preview)

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Brett Hundley QB UCLA

Why he could win:  This will be Hundley's third year as the starter and has improved each year.  The Bruins will be one of the favorites to win the Pac 12 South Division.  With Hundley's ability to run should only add to his stat total that some voters look at.

Why he won't win:  With all the talent Hundley has, he really doesn't have any big weapons around him.  His best receiver Shaq Evans graduated and the second best offensive player might be LB/RB Myles Jack.  Hundley has the skills to do it, but may have to carry too much of the load and that could wear him down.

Marcus Mariota QB Oregon

Why he could win:  Mariota has so much going for him he should be the favorite going into the season. He'll be starting his third year, the Ducks will be National Title contenders, and he's the favorite to be the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.  Add in he'll give you highlight plays each week and there is a lot to love.

Why he won't win:  The one thing that has hurt Oregon the past few years is they haven't' won the big game.  Stanford has been the thorn in the Ducks side and until the Ducks get past them that really hurts Mariota's stock.  Mariota also needs to stay healthy which he didn't do last year.

Nick Marshall QB Auburn

Why he could win:  As we saw last year, Marshall can flat out play football.  He's a perfect fit in Gus Malzahn's unique power rushing attack where he uses his elite speed to burn defenses.  The voters love SEC players and he'll get plenty of attention in several high profile games. Add in the Tigers should be the favorite to win the SEC and contend to make the new four team playoff.  

Why he won't win:  It's the quarterback position that really makes this offense go, but the Tigers and Marshall are really going to miss the impact that LT Greg Robinson and FB Jay Prosch had.  Those two players were instrumental in opening holes.  Add in that Tre Mason also leaves and that's three key pieces that aren't easy to replace.

Bryce Petty QB Baylor

Why he could win: If Art Briles is the architect of this Baylor offense then you could call Petty the contractor because he puts it all together.  Now Petty doesn't have the physical tools that former Baylor QB RG3 had, but he is very cerebral and has one heck of an arm.  He's able to get the ball to his weapons and put points on the board.  But let's not sleep on his running ability.  Petty had 14 rushing touchdowns last year.

Why he won't win:  Some voters will look at Petty and say he is just a product of a system that no matter who the quarterback is will put up good numbers and that he has an embarrassment of riches around him.  Petty will have to prove those doubters wrong and help Baylor get into the four team playoff to be a finalist.  

Jameis Winston QB Florida State

Why he could win:  He's won it once, why not again?  We should already know about Winston.  He's got a strong arm, good running ability and he has the "IT" factor.  The Seminoles are still loaded around him so he'll be playing in big games with a lot to wow voters. 

Why he won't win:  Winning a second Heisman seems almost impossible to do.  Only Archie Griffin has done it and the few players that have had a second shot haven't even really come close.  Winston would need an absolutely dominant season with Florida State winning another National Title to do so.  But when you throw in all the off the field drama that has happened with Winston and you wonder if voters will shy away.  

Contenders

Connor Cook QB Michigan State

It was Cook's play down the stretch that helped the Spartans not only win the Big 10 Championship Game, but the Rose Bowl.  If he continues his development he could lead the Spartans into the inaugural four team playoff. But Cook will need to have the Spartans in the four team playoff if he wants to make it to New York.

Mike Davis RB South Carolina

For all the "Fun and Gun" that Steve Spurrier had at Florida, his teams at South Carolina have been built on good running backs.  For some reason Mike Davis hasn't gotten the hype he deserves.  Last year he rushed for 1,183 yards and 14 touchdowns.  But with him being the offense this year those numbers should only go up.  But he'll need some help.  Having South Carolina contend for the SEC Title is a must.

Todd Gurley RB Georgia

Quarterbacks get all the love, but Gurley might be the best player in college football.  He was in the running last year for the award but injuries ruined his chances.  If healthy Gurley has a shot to be the first RB to win the award since Mark Ingram.  However Georgia also boosts another talented back in Keith Marshall who will take some carries away from Georgia.

Braxton Miller QB Ohio State

Miller could easily be listed in the favorites tier because of his elite physical tools and the Buckeye's ability to win the Big 10.  However Miller's big knock is his ability to stay healthy.  He missed two games last year and his player style leads to him taking some big hits.  If he can stay healthy he should be a finalist.  

TJ Yeldon RB Alabama

With AJ McCarron now gone from Alabama and Jacob Cocker now in it will be interesting if they rely on the running game even more.  He rushed for over 1,200 yards last season to go along with 14 touchdowns.  He should stand to improve on that, but Nick Saban loves to play multiple backs which could limit him from really wowing voters.

Dark Horses

Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska

After Taylor Martinez went down with an injury it was Abdullah that really carried the load and kept the Huskers in the hunt for the Legends Division.  Abdullah is back and with a young quarterback they'll look for Ameer to carry the load.  He'll get his carries, but he really needs Nebraska to have a special season to even contend.  

DE's Randy Gregory (Nebraska) & Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State)

I'm lumping Calhoun and Gregory in together.  A straight up defensive player hasn't won the award ever, however we are beginning to see defenders get a chance lately.  Calhoun and Gregory are the two best defenders going into this season and both have the ability to take over games.  If they take the next step and have a Ndamukong Suh type of season then we could see our first defensive player to win the award.

Chuckie Keeton QB Utah State

If a defensive player winning the award is tough, then having a non power five conference player winning it could be just as tough.  However Keaton and Utah State are setting themselves up to have quite the season.  They should be the favorites to win the conference and their schedule sets itself up to make a 

Trevor Knight QB Oklahoma
If Knight can build off his 348 yard  4 TD games vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl then he is a serious contender for the Heisman. The Sooners have the team to go far and the weapons to give Knight the stats. However Knight was also very pedestrian is his other games, so it could be a roller coaster year.