Early Heisman Odds From Vegas

Even though college football is months away, it’s never too early to discuss the Heisman Trophy. Vegas NCAA football odds makers have released a list of 26 candidates for college football’s top honor, and Alabama running back Mark Ingram, last year’s winner, is the favorite.
You can find the full list here. And here are my thoughts:
Tyrelle Pryor at number two seems way high on the list. Yes, he finally seemed to hit all of his potential in the Rose Bowl, and maybe Jim Tressel has finally figured out a way to utilize Pryor’s amazing potential.
But consider that Pryor was ranked 62nd in the country’s quarterback rating last season, and 85th in completion percentage. Or the fact that he had as many games (four) with under 100 yards passing as he did games with over 200.
Yes, he is a threat to run, but so is Washington’s Jake Locker, and Locker put up better numbers despite playing on a worse team in a better conference. The Huskies quarterback is ranked 3rd.
My dark-horse pick? Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, currently ranked 11th. He had the second-best quarterback rating in the NCAA last year behind the departed Tim Tebow and a staggering 39-3 touchdown to interception ratio.
Of course, the other half of the Heisman equation is hype, and usually, Boise would fall short in that category. But the Broncos are likely to open the season in or near the top five, and open the season on ESPN against Virginia Tech in what’s essentially a road game.
If Moore can put up good numbers and lead Boise to a win, then navigate the Broncos past Oregon State on the blue turf of Boise, (the Beavers can ask their pals in Eugene how much fun that is) well, you’ve got your hype right there–not to mention a likely 12-0 season.
Every candidate listed by the odds makers is either a quarterback or running back. In the last 40 years, only three non-quarterbacks or running backs have won the Heisman, the last being Michigan cornerback/kick returner/wide receiver Charles Woodson.
Related Stories:
At ESPN: Ponder Heisman Campaign on the Way
At Wikipedia: Heisman Trophy
At EduInReview: Athletic Scholarships