Heisman Power Rankings For 2012: Barkley Clear Favorite If He Stays.
College Football December 13th. 2011, 7:15pm
Robert Griffin III’s Heisman has yet to collect dust, making it far too early to make cogent predictions for next year’s race. But just for shits and giggles, here is our preliminary Heisman power rankings.
Matt Barkley [USC] Assuming Barkley stays he will get the Andrew Luck treatment all summer. He will quarterback a traditional football power starting the season in the top five. He will post sick numbers throwing to Robert Woods and Marqise Lee in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Barkley’s in a beauty contest and, fortunately for him, he looks like a Ken doll.
Marcus Lattimore [South Carolina] The sophomore was a favorite heading into 2011, but had his season cut short. Truthfully, he was not the same player after 96 total touches his first three weeks. He should return with fresh legs next year and if the OBC can balance the offense and manage his carries better, roll through the SEC.
Denard Robinson [Michigan] Robinson was digesting a system change while playing through both an elbow abscess and a staph infection. Despite that, he put up 2,000 yards through the air and more than 1,000 on the ground for the second-straight season. Denard makes plays. He wins games. He has name recognition. If he can cut down his interception total with a year’s worth of experience and footwork training and stay healthy, he has a definite chance.
Tyler Wilson [Arkansas] In his first year as a starter, Wilson completed 63 percent of his passes, threw for 3,400 yards and had 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Subtle improvements could lead to a monster season as a senior, which will be blasted through a megaphone as it happened at SEC speed.
Geno Smith [West Virginia] Smith is consistent. He is accurate. He should explode and put up big time numbers as a senior in his second year in Dana Holgorsen’s system next season whether it’s in the Big 12 or the Big LOL. With a number of high-end quarterbacks leaving, he looks like one of the most probable to step forward.
No Honey Badger: Tyrann Mathieu is the only Heisman finalist known to be returning next year. He’s not in our top five. He’s a great player. He may not give a sh*t, but we don’t think defense alone will get him to the top and we suspect teams will avoid punting to him.
[Photo via Getty]

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54 Responses to “Heisman Power Rankings For 2012: Barkley Clear Favorite If He Stays.”
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December 13th, 2011 at 7:18 PM
the fuck is shasteriskt?
December 13th, 2011 at 7:19 PM
As a quarterback who can’t throw the ball in the ocean standing on the shore.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Aaron Murray. Marcus Lattimore is overrated.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:38 PM
He may not give a sh*t
What is the point in censoring that? We all know the word is, “shit.” You aren’t the only one. Just a pet peeve of mine.
He should return with fresh legs next year and if the OBC can balance the offense and manage his carries better, roll through the SEC.
OBC Sanduskyied this guy. He should just go pro and get a paycheck before he is ruined.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:42 PM
In other words, as usual, offensive skill positions automatically get consider.tion above all else
December 13th, 2011 at 7:43 PM
Braxton wins a Heisman before Velcro does.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:43 PM
I think all top 5 Heisman candidates are eligible to play next year. Has anyone declared?
December 13th, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Dunn reaffirms commitment to OSU.
It’s a shame he’ll never ever rush for a 1000 yards in a season like he would’ve under Jabba The Hoke.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Tahj Boyd needs to be on that list
December 13th, 2011 at 8:16 PM
I think all top 5 Heisman candidates are eligible to play next year. Has anyone declared?
Is Luck a 5-year senior? Barkley, Honey Badger and RG3 can all go back next year, but I thought Luck and Richardson were certain to go pro next year.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Shocked..just SHOCKED…that duffy put Denard on the list.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Denard’s heisman hopes end when he faces Bama
December 13th, 2011 at 8:35 PM
For some sites that make an effort to censor stuff on the regular, I’m not bothered by it, but when it’s this site (and in the intro it even has “But just for shits and giggles, here is our preliminary Heisman power rankings.”), I’m not sure the of the point.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:35 PM
B1G championships are a nice consolation though.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:49 PM
For some sites that make an effort to censor stuff on the regular, I’m not bothered by it, but when it’s this site (and in the intro it even has “But just for shits and giggles, here is our preliminary Heisman power rankings.”), I’m not sure the of the point. Chief
I understand censoring a naughty word in the post’s title, because if the title is the post’s url, it might trip a blockage by certain workplaces. And will deny a pageview. At this site, I agree with you, I’m not sure the point for the reason you listed.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:58 PM
I rarely do this, but LOL.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Craig James Senate campaign > Denard Robinson Heisman campaign
December 13th, 2011 at 9:06 PM
Yes, Luck is a RS Junior and would be a RS Senior next year. However he already said this would be his last year and already has the degree in the bag.
I don’t think Richardson has formally announced but the guy is primed to be the 1st RB off the board and RB is not a position anybody should gamble with. See Marcus Lattimore or Knile Davis for proof. Get the money while you can young man.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:07 PM
I rarely do this, but +1, Vlad.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:15 PM
Proclaiming Matt Barkely as the favorite automatically means he won’t win.
It will be Lattimore or Dyer. SEC! SEC! SEC!
December 13th, 2011 at 9:17 PM
You should have kept the +1. You overestimate Heisman voters and It’s not that ridiculous. I don’t care about Michigan and don’t particularly like Denard as a player however…..
1. If Barkley leaves there is no clear cut favorite
2. Eric Crouch once won a Heisman
If Michigan wins the Big Whatever and Denard puts up 2-2.5k passing with 20 TDs and another 1-1.5k rushing with 20 TDs he’ll get invited.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Robinson was digesting a system change while playing through both an elbow abscess and a staph infection
Whether one likes the guy or not, kudos to him for playing through both.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:30 PM
If Michigan wins in the Sugar Bowl the drumbeat about how they’re back will be louder than it has been yet. Even assuming they lose to Alabama, if they and he have roughly the same season as this year I agree he’ll be invited.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Michigan’s losing at least 4 games next year.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Michael Dyer is in the process of getting kicked off the team.
And he’ll have a new OC if he does return, as Gus Malzahn is inclined to take the head coaching job at Arkansas St.
December 13th, 2011 at 10:10 PM
I NEVER agree with Ballz (especially when he does his SC clueless imitation) but…..
+1^10 Vlad
December 13th, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Just read YYSA’s morning roundup commentary….
Vortex of Negativity > Vince Carter Vortex of Suck
December 13th, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State?
I hope Ritty Rich is ok.
December 13th, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State?
I hope Ritty Rich is ok.
He’ll be ok. This is the guy KU fans wanted late. As in right before Weis was hired.
$850K at Ark St.? A pay cut? Something is fishy.
December 13th, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Yes and no. On one hand, he wasn’t get the offers he had hoped. This is in part due to a bad season, and in part because his wife is nuts. Kansas turned him away and Houston didn’t really even sniff in his direction.
This is in his home state, it’s still a lot of money, and it is a stepping stone, as it was for Mr. Freeze.
On the other, it is difficult dealing with certain people in the athletic department at Auburn, and there was certain tensions, in part because Chizik may not be very good at being hands off, with a major issue being that the young defense needed an offense a lot less no huddle than what Malzahn wanted.
December 13th, 2011 at 11:57 PM
it is a stepping stone, as it was for Mr. Freeze.
Entirely necessary whenever the name “Mr. Freeze” written
December 13th, 2011 at 11:58 PM
December 13th, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State?
I hope Ritty Rich is ok.
Are you speculating or is this actually happening? If this is happening then that is a bizarre move. Ark state is a good fcs program but malzahn should be looking at open fbs positions.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Yes and no. On one hand, he wasn’t get the offers he had hoped. This is in part due to a bad season, and in part because his wife is nuts. Kansas turned him away and Houston didn’t really even sniff in his direction.
Is this due, I wonder, to his wife, the performance of auburn relative to last year, or that he has no head coaching experience? Or some combination of all of those.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:10 AM
Ark state is a good fcs program but malzahn should be looking at open fbs positions.
Ahem. From wikipedia: From 1982 to 1991, the Indians competed at the Division I-AA level, before again being promoted to I-A, which is now known as Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
December 14th, 2011 at 12:12 AM
@TBL
Way off topic and beating a dead horse, but the whole lack of a mobile site is a killer. I can’t spend two minutes waiting for each post to load.
1. Yahoo – mobile site
2. ESPN – mobile site
3. Fox Sports – mobile site
4. NFL – mobile site
5. CBS – mobile site
6. TBL – no mobile site
Seriously, get with the program. I can’t imagine the lost revenue from not having a mobile ready site outweighs the investment.
/ end of PSA/rant
December 14th, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Ahem. From wikipedia: From 1982 to 1991, the Indians competed at the Division I-AA level, before again being promoted to I-A, which is now known as Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
No shit? Well then. They must be a sun belt team.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Don’t worry rockstar, the mobile site will be ready by labor day.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Don’t worry rockstar, the mobile site will be ready by labor day.
TBL’s gonna be pissed if it’s not
December 14th, 2011 at 12:21 AM
It’s all three. From what people tell me, the talks with UNC and Kansas didn’t go well. So there’s a bit of “bad interview” at work too.
I actually don’t fault him. He wanted to be his own man, he’s getting over $800,000 a year, he’s closer to home and his offense will roll over that conference.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:23 AM
You guys complaining about a lack of a mobile site? Little whiny bitches.
/tbl
December 14th, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Needs more Knile Davis. I’d be cool with a quartet of Denard, Geno Smith, Boobie Knile, and LaMichael James
December 14th, 2011 at 12:25 AM
Also, how is LaMichael James not a 6th year sr? Been in Eugene forever.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:25 AM
I actually don’t fault him. He wanted to be his own man, he’s getting over $800,000 a year, he’s closer to home and his offense will roll over that conference.
Very true. I guess I’m used to hotshot assistant coaches getting hired by a mid level or big time fbs school.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Also, how is LaMichael James not a 6th year sr? Been in Eugene forever.
Are you sure you’re not confusing him with LeGarette? Because I did at first.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:29 AM
he’s closer to home and his offense will roll over that conference.
When you put it this way I am convinced it was a brilliant move and I’m not even joking. Trying to build the next BCS buster seems more of a realistic goal than trying to break through at a second-tier big conference school
December 14th, 2011 at 12:36 AM
No Aaron Murray??
December 14th, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Denard definately deserves heisman consideration as a running back
December 14th, 2011 at 12:58 AM
That’s racist
All kidding aside I think Tyler Wilson will steal too much pub from Knile Davis. After dealing with injuries this year I can’t imagine LaMichael James sticking around. If WV actually plays in the Big Texas conference I think WV will lose too many games for Geno Smith to be a real threat.
Has Landry Jones declared yet? Next year is starting to look real thin if all these guys go pro in April.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:59 AM
Things may be aligning for the Honey badger
December 14th, 2011 at 1:07 AM
I’ve been given the impression that Landry Jones is coming back next year
December 14th, 2011 at 1:33 AM
Link? I don’t want Landry back and was under the impression some poor NFL team would take him in the first round. Dude is Nate Hybl 1.0 (whereas Hybl was 2.0, or 1.5, or something).
December 14th, 2011 at 8:24 AM
Those are all real sites… TBL is just a blog.
/rabble
December 14th, 2011 at 8:26 AM
You shut your face-hole. You really want 3 more posts a week about Michigan? This winters 10-part series “Jim Harbaugh to Michigan? 2012 – Private Jet Edition” is going to be bad enough.
December 14th, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Yes…and hell no. Dude is the truth.