It's never too early to look at the world of college football and see who may be a candidate for the 2011 Heisman Trophy. Bodog has already released its odds on their favorites, from Stanford Cardinal QB Andrew Luck at 9/2 odds to Northwestern Wildcats QB Dan Persa at 95/1.
The Air Force Falcons will face two players on Bodog's list: Boise State Broncos QB Kellen Moore (Oct. 22) and Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd (Oct. 8). Moore stands a better chance out of the two to be in New York come December to be among the finalists. Moore is a 68.2 percent career passer with 10,867 yards and 99 touchdowns. In 2010, he made 71.3 percent of his passes for 3,845 yards and 35 touchdowns. The yards were a career high while the touchdowns were four short of his 39 in 2009. It should be another banner year for Moore, even with the departures of Austin Pettis and Titus Young.
Floyd is one of the top receivers in the nation and he made 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010. Tim Brown in 1987 and Desmond Howard in 1991 were the last two wide receivers win the Heisman. Twenty years may not be a long enough time for another one to win it.
Though he didn't make Bodog's initial list, we should add San Diego State Aztecs running back Ronnie Hillman to this, as well as his quarterback, Ryan Lindley. Hillman rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman. Lindley threw for 3.830 yards as a junior in 2010.
The Colorado Buffaloes face a few more than the two Air Force will see:
Stanford, Oct. 8: Cardinal QB Andrew Luck is the odds-on-favorite to take home the trophy this year.
Washington, Oct. 15: Huskies RB Chris Polk has 25/1 odds entering the season. He's had back-to-back season of 1,000-plus yards on the ground, 1,415 in 2010.
Oregon, Oct. 22: Running back LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas will provide a stiff test on Homecoming Weekend.
USC, Nov. 4: Quarterback Matt Barkley and WR Robert Woods will be on national TV when they visit Boulder for this Friday game.
Arizona, No. 12: Quarterback Nick Foles drew for just under 3,200 yards and had 20 touchdown passes.