Heisman Watch Week Four: Bell, Smith continue to dominate

De’Anthony Thomas

De’Anthony Thomas might be the best indicator that Oregon has a seemingly unlimited amount offensive weapons, which the Ducks mix and match to the feel of each game. Even without Thomas, perhaps one of the best athletes in the nation, touching the ball more than 15 times, the Ducks put up nearly 500 yards in offense. Thomas, for his part, played sparingly, but electrified when he touched the ball, as has been the case all season.

His 47 yards rushing, 11 yards receiving and 38 yards on punt returns is nothing to write home about, sure. But he’ll stay in this race as long as he can convince audiences to stay up late just to watch him perform.

Geno Smith

West Virginia had much more trouble handling Maryland on Saturday than many might have expected, but for Geno Smith the win and the performance can speak for themselves. The Mountaineer quarterback led West Virginia with 338 yards passing and three touchdowns to help best a surprisingly game Terrapins squad, 31-21.

Smith was not the same incredibly efficient quarterback he had been in the previous two weeks — which had garnered comparisons to last year’s Heisman recipient, Robert Griffin III. But despite his 13 incompletions, he did not throw an interception. Smith and the Mountaineers get their Big 12 schedule going next weekend against Baylor.

Le’Veon Bell

Just one week after being held nearly silent against Notre Dame, Le’Veon Bell exploded back on the Heisman scene with a massive performance against Eastern Michigan. Helping Michigan State bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Fighting Irish, Bell rushed for 253 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

Sure, you might not expect a need for Bell to shoulder that kind of load against a lesser opponent like Eastern Michigan, but his performance certainly does help bolster a Heisman candidacy that saw a bit of a dive after last week. Bell and the Spartans start their Big Ten schedule against Ohio State next weekend.

Braxton Miller

Somewhat quiet through the air, Braxton Miller made up for it on the ground, rushing for two touchdowns and 64 yards against UAB to help Ohio State overcome a slow start to beat the Blazers. It was Miller’s 1-yard rush in the fourth quarter that ended up clinching the victory for the Buckeyes after mistakes helped UAB build an early lead on the Buckeyes.

Despite it’s ineligibility for the postseason, the Buckeyes are one of just three undefeated teams remaining in the Big Ten as it heads toward conference play. The Buckeyes open with Michigan State.

Matt Barkley

Another sub-standard performance out of Matt Barkley, after the senior passes for two touchdowns, but also two interceptions, in the Trojans’ bounce back victory over California. Despite the pedestrian numbers, the performance actually proves a bounce back for Barkley as well, after he struggled mightily against Stanford. Barkley was able to lead the Trojans to scores when they needed it most, including his two scoring strikes to Marqise Lee.

Barkley and the Trojans now get a week off before the meat of the Pac-12 schedule kicks in, and Barkley will have a shot to post some big numbers against the likes of Washington and Utah in the next few weeks.

On The Radar:

Marcus Lattimore

Lattimore rushed for 85 yards for a second straight week, although his two scores do keep him in the conversation moving forward. His performances will have to improve to meet the preseason Heisman hype.

Colin Klein

Though his performance against Oklahoma wasn’t earth-shattering or gaudy, the senior quarterback’s level-headed play helped Kansas State upset Oklahoma in Norman. That kind of national exposure and performance will certainly get people talking about Klein.

Heisman Watch Week Three: Geno Smith, Denard Robinson dominate lesser competition

De’Anthony Thomas

It’s no small accomplishment that De’Anthony Thomas’s name is among Oregon’s leaders in both rushing and receiving week in and week out. But the regularity with which it occurs sometimes detracts from the sophomore’s shocking skill and ability.

The speedster did it again this weekend against Tennessee Tech, helping the Ducks coast to a 63-14 victory over the Golden Eagles. Thomas posted 62 yards rushing and 73 yards receiving on just six offensive touches. Who knows what kind of numbers Thomas could have posted with a few more touches. He’s certain to see more in the coming weeks, which could produce some thrilling highlights and statistics.

Denard Robinson

Denard Robinson has reemerged in a big way in the Heisman race, putting up two big games after a tough start to his 2012 campaign against Alabama. The seemingly perennial “September Heisman” has put his name in the mix once again after posting 291 yards and three touchdowns against UMass on Saturday to go with his 106 yards and one score on the ground against the Minutemen.

In a stumbling Big Ten conference, Denard Robinson might be provided with a chance to lead the Wolverines to a conference championship, which would certainly bolster any Heisman hope for the versatile quarterback. A nationally televised game against seemingly reinvigorated Notre Dame next weekend could do plenty, as well.

Matt Barkley

Stanford has never been kind to Matt Barkley, and it was especially crushing on Saturday. Barkley threw two picks and completed less than half of his passes against the Cardinal, bringing his Heisman candidacy down at least a few notches and severely threatening the Trojans hopes at a national title shot. Barkley’s 253 passing yards were fine, but unable to pocket that “Heisman moment” when given the chance late in the fourth quarter, Barkley is certain to lose plenty of support in this race.

Barkley is certainly not out of this race, as no real frontrunner other than the USC quarterback has emerged as of yet, but he will certainly have work to do.

Geno Smith

Geno Smith did every thing you might expect the West Virginia senior to do against a foe like FCS James Madison. He threw, he ran, and he helped the Mountaineers dismantle the Dukes, 42-12. Smith’s 411 yards through the air with five touchdowns was more than enough against James Madison, and again proves just what an offensive force the quarterback can be.

Of course, this was not the type of test that will truly find Smith’s viability as a Heisman candidate. Those matchups are to come, including a non-conference showdown with Maryland next week before West Virginia starts its inaugural Big 12 schedule against Baylor.

Montee Ball

Against a very game Utah State team, it was Montee Ball’s 39 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown that helped the Badgers survive another upset bid, and this one at home in Camp Randall Stadium. After a really rough outing against Oregon State, where he was held to 61 yards on the ground and without a touchdown, Ball is back in the Heisman conversation.

With the Big Ten schedule about to begin for the Badgers, Ball has a solid chance to return to the conversation and the national consciousness if he can string a few strong performances together in the coming weeks.

Braxton Miller

Seemingly flying under the radar as the quarterback of bowl-ineligible Ohio State, Braxton Miller has certainly made a forcible impact during his first three games of 2012. Against California in an intriguing non-conference game, Miller certainly put his name on plenty of radars, passing for 249 yards and four touchdowns against the Golden Bear defense.

Miller is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten, and despite the Buckeyes’ inability to contend for a national title, they could prove a huge thorn in other teams’ sides with Miller at the helm.

On The Radar:

Le’Veon Bell

A star of the first two weeks, both because of Michigan State’s return to the national conversation and strong performances, Bell was held in check against Notre Dame in the Spartan’s tough loss. Just 77 yards and no scores for the junior, but he’s not out of this yet.

Marcus Lattimore

Eighty-five yards and a score against UAB was strong for the junior Gamecocks tailback. Given the performances that were either sub par or against weaker competition on the national scale, anything can happen for Lattimore in the weeks to come.

Heisman Watch Week Two: Thomas, Barkley Strong Again As Others Falter

De’Anthony Thomas

If you want any indication of the impact De’Anthony Thomas can have on any one game, just take a look at the sophomore’s stat line from Oregon’s victory over Fresno State on Saturday. Thomas touched the ball all of 11 times, but accounted for two touchdowns and 128 yards, simply outflanking the Bulldog defense at every turn.

After three touchdowns against Arkansas State in week one, Thomas is already compiling the type of stat lines that make Heisman candidates, especially from the Pac-12. Of course, he’s not yet tested against Pac-12 defenses this season, but if 2011 is any indiction, Thomas will have no trouble turning it up a notch, a scary thought for the rest of the conference.

Montee Ball

Wisconsin and Montee Ball had a weekend to forget against Oregon State, as the Badgers fell hard, 10-7, and Ball was held out of the end zone. Among preseason favorites in the Big Ten and Heisman races respectively, things have started rather slowly for Wisconsin, which had trouble warming up against Northern Iowa before topping the Panthers in the first week.

Ball ended up with 61 yards rushing and 18 yards receiving on Saturday, not the type of numbers that keeps running backs in a Heisman race. He’s not anywhere close to out of it yet, but things will have to improve against the much tougher schedule staring Wisconsin down as the season progresses.

Matt Barkley

Things were relatively simple for Matt Barkley and USC against Syracuse, as the Trojans topped the Orange 42-29 behind Barkley’s six passing touchdowns. And again, Barkley was efficient in spreading the ball around to his dangerous wide receiving corp, hitting Robert Woods (two), Marqise Lee (three) and Xavier Grimble (one) for scores.

His career-high in passing touchdowns on the day was almost overshadowed by the strong performances put on by his wide receivers against the deficient Orange secondary, and Woods and Lee will continue to hang around the Heisman race as long as Barkley does.

Geno Smith

Geno Smith and the Mountaineers had the weekend off, but with few stellar performances, Smith is in no immediate danger of dropping off of the Heisman radar. Smith will get a chance to fill up the scoreboard and stat sheet against FCS James Madison next weekend in the Mountaineers’ second game of the season.

If Smith can put up the type of numbers against a lesser opponent in the Dukes that he did against always dangerous Marshall, he may well be on his way to a stunning statistical season in the already stacked Big 12.

Le’Veon Bell

It wasn’t the game-changing performance that he had against Boise State in the season’s opening week, but it sure was effective, as Le’Veon Bell ran for two touchdowns and 70 yards in Michigan State’s convincing victory over Central Michigan. Bell rushed for 210 against Boise State last week, and this was certainly not that, but it was exactly what the Spartans needed.

Bell scored the game’s first two touchdowns, which proved all the Spartans would need on the day as Michigan State prevailed 41-7. Bell’s performance in the early going, before seeing a lighter load than he did against Boise state, is a sign that he’s in this race for the long haul.

On The Radar:

Marcus Lattimore

Only 40 yards against East Carolina’s just not going to do it in the Heisman race. The passing game was key for the Gamecocks on Saturday. Can Lattimore put up bigger numbers on moving forward?

Denard Robinson

Much better for the Michigan quarterback through the air against Air Force, but still not his best. It was his ground work — 218 yards and two touchdowns — that shone through. He’ll have to balance that out if he wants a shot at the trophy.

Heisman Watch Week One: Bell, Barkley Best Competition On Opening Weekend

Marcus Lattimore

When South Carolina’s quarterback Connor Shaw injured his shoulder, forcing him into the locker room, the Gamecocks were more than allowed to feel a little fear. But any worry that Shaw might have created for the Gamecock faithful disappeared as a result of the performance Marcus Lattimore was putting on against Vanderbilt on college football’s opening night.

Lattimore rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns against the Commodores defense, providing just the right spark for the Gamecocks to outlast a very game Vandy squad. In the 17-13 South Carolina victory, Lattimore provided the offensive weapon the Gamecocks needed all game, and when Shaw returned in the second half, it was the threat and usefulness of Lattimore that allowed South Carolina to escape an upset bid. All in all, a good start to Lattimore’s 2012 campaign.

Montee Ball

Though Montee Ball wasn’t a show stopper — and his team didn’t put on a show-stopping performance against Northern Iowa — Ball was effective and impressive enough Saturday to give his Heisman candidacy the start it needs in this long-haul of a season. Ball rushed for 120 yards and a score on Saturday against the Panthers, and added 31 yards receiving to put himself just over the 150 mark for the day.

Ball and Wisconsin will need stronger showings against the strong defenses to come, but given their prowess last season against Big Ten defenses — with Ball proving key — it’s safe to expect big things out of the Badgers and Ball in 2012.

Matt Barkley

Matt Barkley’s first pass Saturday went for 75 yards and a touchdown. It was that kind of day for Barkley and USC in the Trojans’ 2012 debut. Barkley finished the game with 351 yards and four touchdowns, picking up just where he left off in 2011 — a year that saw him break a handful of Pac-12 and USC records.

Barkley ended up sitting a significant part of the game after USC had run the score to a good distance, as back up Max Wittek got some snaps. Barkley and USC will head out to the east coast next to meet Syracuse, which will give Barkley another shot at putting up some impressive numbers early in this Heisman race.

Geno Smith

In wasn’t ever close in Morgantown on college football’s opening weekend, and Geno Smith had a lot to do with it. The senior’s 323 yards and four touchdowns passing helped West Virginia crush Marshall in its opening contest, and started Smith’s campaign for the Heisman with a bang.

Smith also grabbed 65 yards on the ground and added a rushing touchdown to showcase just how big of a threat his arm and feet are against defenses. Certainly no one on the field shone as brightly as Smith, who will next get to flex his dual-threat attack against FCS James Madison. If Smith can collect a big game there, he could be well on the way to being in this conversation for the long haul.

Le’Veon Bell

Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell may have been somewhat under the radar coming into the 2012 season, but his performance during college football’s opening week likely changed that for good. Rushing for 210 yards and two touchdowns in a nationally televised, Friday night showdown with Boise State, Bell squarely placed himself in the early Heisman conversation with one of the weekend’s best performances.

Bell was a dark horse Heisman candidate coming into the season following a 2011 where he collected nearly 1,000 yards on the ground and more than 350 yards receiving for a Michigan State team that was part of the national conversation all season. With a victory over the top-25 ranked Broncos to start their season, it looks like Sparty — and by extension Bell — will be around for the long haul this year.

On The Radar:

Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas

Oregon’s duo of athletes had themselves a couple of games against Arkansas State. But their dual production somewhat diminishes from the personal achievement. Can either break out as the star?

Denard Robinson

A rough start to Robinson’s much-hyped campaign for a Heisman against Alabama has probably set him back significantly. Can he recover?

2012 Preseason Heisman Watch: Robinson, Barkley, Lattimore Lead Loaded Class

Denard Robinson

Dual threat if there ever was one, Denard Robinson spent the better part of the last three seasons electrifying Wolverine fans up and down the field and around the country. Last season saw the junior rush for more than 1,000 yards while passing for more than 2,000 for the second straight season, the only player in NCAA history to reach those levels in two consecutive years. Those things alone place Robinson squarely in the Heisman conversation coming into the 2012 season.

Clearly, the stats are there to support a Heisman campaign, however, as has been the case in the past, concerns linger about Robinson’s ability as a complete passer. If he aspires to a Tim Tebow-like season (and the Heisman that could come with it), he must bring his production as a passer to a level that is commensurate with the best quarterbacks in the country. Robinson’s career 4:3 touchdown to interception ratio will simply not cut it if Robinson hopes to contend for the trophy this season.

Matt Barkley

Matt Barkley has been through a lot as USC’s quarterback. In 2011, the bowl-ineligible Trojans prospered from Barkley’s experience, finishing 10-2 as Barkley broke the Pac-12’s single-season passing touchdowns record and all the other things seemed to melt away. Faced now instead with hype and expectation similar to that of the USC-dominated mid-2000s, Barkley is the media’s preseason favorite for the award.

A junior season of 3,500 yards and 39 touchdowns will do that for any quarterback, let alone one also expected to lead a national title contending team of Trojans. Difficult games await USC in the deepening Pac-12, but if USC can stay in the national title race all season, Barkley is likely — at the very least — to stay in the Heisman conversation all year.

Marcus Lattimore

Few running backs enter their sophomore season with as much hype as Marcus Lattimore did in 2011. Coming off a 1,000-yard freshman rushing season against SEC defenses, Lattimore readied to contend for a Heisman trophy as a sophomore at South Carolina. It all seemed in place until the South Carolina running back tore his ACL against Mississippi State midway through his season.

Suddenly, Lattimore was out of the conversation and out of the national consciousness, but 2012 is a new year, and the back who electrified the SEC as an 18- and 19-year-old for 1,197 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns is back again to light Gamecocks opponents up. His 818 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games in 2011 isn’t exactly Heisman-winning pace, but playing under the bright lights of SEC football, Lattimore’s production is sure to put him in the conversation all season.

Montee Ball

In a conference prideful of the way its defenses make teams fight for every yard, Montee Ball certainly was worth his weight on the gridiron in 2011. Wisconsin’s star running back torched defenses for nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 39 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns — tying the all-time FBS record.

Though it will be difficult to match his record-breaking junior season, anything that approaches his 2011 output against an even stouter Big Ten crop of defenders will easily position Ball for a second selection as a Heisman finalist. Finishing fourth in last year’s Heisman balloting and then dropping the Rose Bowl to Oregon was probably not the finish Ball envisioned, but if the Badgers can continue an unprecedented run of success in 2012, expect Ball to stay on the national consciousness all season.

Geno Smith

Sure, 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns in any FBS conference is impressive, but in Geno Smith’s case, those impressive numbers came against a Big East conference who’s national profile hasn’t often warranted its stars being recognized on a national and Heisman level in the last decade. Smith will play his last season with West Virginia in a new conference and get the chance to prove his worth all over again.

West Virginia moves to the Big 12 this year, and although not necessarily known for its defense (Cowboys, Wildcats, Sooners and Bears seem more of the offensive mind these days), the conference is certainly visible in a way the Big East often is not. With a stat line like the one he put up in 2011, the senior quarterback might just be able to give the Mountaineers not only with a chance for a return trip to the BCS, but also a shot at personal achievement — in this case, well-deserved consideration for the Heisman trophy.

Others to Watch

Landry Jones

Helmer of by no means bad, but underwhelming, Oklahoma teams in back-to-back years, senior quarterback Landry Jones has seen his preseason Heisman hype dissipate the last two years. Both years saw 4,400 or more passing yards, but no invite to NYC. Could more of the same in 2012 change that?

Tyler Wilson

If it’s possible, Tyler Wilson’s junior season as Arkansas’s quarterback — all 3,600 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 wins — was largely forgotten in the all-SEC title game bonanza. Though Arkansas again enters the season outside of the seemingly BCS-ensued preseason SEC top-two, Wilson certainly has a shot at some Heisman attention his senior season.

De’Anthony Thomas

From the moment De’Anthony Thomas hit the field during his first game as a Duck, it was clear he was a spark plug in the Duck mold — fast, efficient and great to watch. Racking up an even 1,200 yards of combined rushing and receiving in 2011, the freshman was a factor all over the field. Could he be even more in 2012?

AJ McCarron

A national champion quarterback has rarely been as unheralded as A.J. McCarron. Perhaps the perception belied the fact that Crimson Tide faithful widely lauded McCarron for his work in the title game despite the lack of eye-catching statistics. The junior’s 2012 season might have a little more attention turned its way.

Jadeveon Clowney

The honor of SEC Freshman of the Year hasn’t exactly turned into Heisman glory down the road for recent recipients, but that a defensive lineman received the honor is stark enough of a fact that Clowney should register on Heisman pundits radars all season. Many expect big things of the South Carolina sophomore, and delivering on them could spell some national attention.

2012 BCS AQ Conference Profile: Pac-12

BCS Know How is taking you through the six automatic-qualifying BCS conferences in preparation for the 2012 season. Our easy-to-digest previews continue with the Pac-12, a conference experiencing a true renaissance. Scroll down to see our profiles of the other conferences.

Conference: Pacific 12 Conference (Pac-12)

Active Since: 1915

Current Member Schools:

North Division: California Golden Bears, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Stanford Cardinal, Washington Huskies, Washington State Cougars
South Division: Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, UCLA Bruins, Southern California (USC) Trojans, Colorado Buffaloes, Utah Utes  (12)

Bowl Affiliations: Rose Bowl (BCS), New Mexico Bowl, MAACO Las Vegas Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Fight Hunger Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Sun Bowl (7)

2011 Results:
Conference Champion — Oregon
Conference Runner-up — UCLA
BCS Bowl Results: Fiesta Bowl – Oklahoma State 41 vs. Stanford 38; Rose Bowl – Oregon 45 vs. Wisconsin 38
Overall Bowl Record: 2-5
Heisman Vote Recipients: Andrew Luck (Second Overall); Matt Barkley (Sixth Overall), LaMichael James (10th Overall)

2012 Outlook: There’s a simple reason the SEC has been the conference everyone has associated with the BCS in the last decade. The south expects to dominate the bowl series, and especially the national title game. But in recent years, and in the years leading up to the six-title SEC streak, the Pacific had a lot to say about the BCS.

Most notably, USC had plenty to say in those mid-2000s, before a non-BCS season and then NCAA sanctions kept them quiet for a while. But with the expected return of the Trojans to national prominence, so too has the Pac-12 become relevant once again in a national title discussion.

Oregon and Stanford have spent the last two bowl seasons representing the conference of champions on the BCS stage, and this year, bowl-eligible-again USC looks to head there as well. The Trojans expect to vie for a national title, but so too do the Ducks have title aspirations. Stanford could be out of the national title conversation, but there’s no denying a renaissance in Palo Alto is at hand.

Washington, under the guidance of Steve Sarkisian and leadership of quarterback Keith Price seems ready to make some noise as well.

The conference is stacked, that’s for sure. Can it compete with the SEC? That remains to be seen.

Heisman Hopefuls: USC QB Matt Barkley, USC WR Robert Woods, Oregon RB De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon RB Kenjon Barner, Washington QB Keith Price, Washington State QB Jeff Tuel, California WR Keenen Allen

BCS Know How’s 2012 Predictions:
Conference Champion — USC Trojans
Conference Runner-up — Oregon Ducks
BCS bids: USC Trojans — BCS National Title Game; Oregon Ducks — Rose Bowl
Heisman Finalists — USC QB Matt Barkley

Heisman Watch Week 13: Richardson, Keenum Propel Teams to Victory on Penultimate Weekend

Trent Richardson

Saturday really could not have gone better for Trent Richardson and the Crimson Tide. Knowing that their chances for a spot in the SEC Championship Game had been ruined by LSU’s victory Friday, Alabama was playing for a likely shot in the BCS title game in its annual Iron Bowl matchup with Auburn.

Richardson and the Tide made up for a loss to Auburn last year, beating the Tigers 42-14, while the junior running back rushed for a career-high 203 yards on the afternoon.

What will be Richardson’s final impression on the Heisman voters was a good one, topped off with a five-yard touchdown catch.

Richardson finishes the year with 1,583 yards rushing on the season and 20 rushing touchdowns to go with 327 yards receiving and three more scores through the air. The junior is likely headed to New York City as a Heisman finalist at the very least.

Case Keenum

For Case Keenum the Friday after Thanksgiving gave the senior and Houston much to be thankful for.

Houston clinched a spot in the C-USA title game with its dominating 48-16 victory over Tulsa while Keenum passed for five touchdowns and 457 yards to once again fill up the stat sheet and keep his Heisman hopes more than alive.

With a game added to Keenum and Houston’s schedule, the record-breaking quarterback will have yet another opportunity to add to his FBS records and bolster his chances at a finalist spot for the Heisman.

Andrew Luck

Two weeks of substandard performance made many question Andrew Luck’s viability as a Heisman hopeful entering the final month of the week. Luck’s performance on Saturday, though, was more up to his usual effective and efficient numbers.

Luck finished with 233 yards and four touchdowns in what will be his final regular season game and the final performance Heisman voters will have to judge the senior quarterback on.

Luck finishes the year with 3,170 passing yards and 35 touchdowns on the season against just nine interceptions. The presumed frontrunner for the trophy all season will certainly have competition for this trophy, but is likely assured of a trip to New York City for the presentation as a trophy finalist.

Kellen Moore

A somewhat weak start to its game against Wyoming Saturday might have been troubling for Moore’ Heisman hopes and Boise State’s continued hopes at an at-large berth in a BCS bowl.

But a 46-yard touchdown pass from Moore to Matt Miller provided just the spark the Broncos needed, and the Broncos walked off their blue turf with another victory and Moore walked off with another great game under his belt.

Moore passed for 279 yards and three touchdowns against just one interception against the Cowboys defense. Moore has one more shot to impress Heisman voters next weekend against New Mexico. A strong performance there would do wonders for Moore’s chances at being a finalist for a second straight year.

Robert Griffin III

An apparent injury restricted Griffin from playing at all in the second half of Baylor’s game against Texas Tech on Saturday, severely hurting Griffin’s stat line.

Griffin finished with 106 yards passing and 62 yards rushing, to go with two rushing touchdowns. If Griffin’s injury isn’t too bad, he’ll get another chance to impress Heisman voters next weekend against Texas, where the national exposure could do wonders for his Heisman hopes and leave a strong final impression.

Matt Barkley

Admittedly a late addition to this Heisman watch, but junior quarterback Matt Barkley’s performance late Saturday night was one not to be forgotten.

Breaking USC and Pac-12 records time and again, Barkley finished the game with 423 yards and six touchdowns as he led the Trojans to a 50-0 beat down of USC’s crosstown rivals, UCLA.

Barkley finishes the year with 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns. Could Barkley make his way to New York City as a finalist despite USC being ineligible for postseason play? With all of the upheaval in this race recently, it wouldn’t be all too surprising.

2011 Preseason Heisman Watch: Returning Stars Highlight Trophy Chase

This Heisman Watch is from Aug. 19. To see the most recent edition of BCS Know How’s Heisman Watch, scroll down to the end of this post. Thanks!

Trent Richardson

Back-up to a Heisman winner. Replacement for an injured Heisman winner. At times, out-performing a Heisman winner.

This was Trent Richardson’s 2010. What can he do to make 2011 even more special? Well compete for a Heisman of his own, of course.

As backup to Mark Ingram, Richardson’s profile was somewhat diminished at the beginning of last season, but this year, Richardson comes into the season with the gig and the hype to match.

Richardson hit the ground running at Alabama with a key performance in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, one that keyed the Crimson Tide’s victory over Texas. Now in 2011, the junior has a chance to lead his team all season, and with the national media electing Alabama as the preseason favorite for a return bid to BCS glory, Richardson will be squarely in the viewfinder of the media, in prime position for a Heisman run of his own.

Landry Jones

Sam Bradford’s shoulder and Landry Jones’s career will forever be linked. But with the right kind of 2011, Jones could see another link appear between the two Sooner legends — Heisman Trophy recipients.

Jones’s early days at Oklahoma were marked by his substitution for Bradford after rough hits against BYU and Texas in 2009. But ever since that Red River Rivalry game in ’09, the Sooners have been Jones’s team.

After an up-and-down 2011 for the senior that did result in a BCS bowl victory, Oklahoma’s first since 2002, but little Heisman consideration.

Expect that to change in 2011 as Jones and Oklahoma are favored to join Alabama in the national title game. If Jones is able to lead his Sooners to New Orleans in January, it would surprise no one to also see his face in New York in December.

LaMichael James

Speed, speed and more speed. That was Oregon’s offensive attack in 2010. Expect more of the same in 2011.

At the heart of this Duck plan of attack is of course LaMichael James, the speedster who finished 2010 with a nation’s-best 1,682 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.

James will be the dangerous Pac-12 back everyone expects him to be, but will his national profile continue to be as large as it was while Oregon was on its way to a BCS National Championship Game berth? The answer to that question will be key to whether James can jump from a third-place finish in last year’s balloting for the Heisman to lifting the trophy come December.

Don’t be surprised to see James’s name atop many of those Heisman watch lists (this one included) if the Ducks can march back to the title game in 2011.

Andrew Luck

After Andrew Luck spent 2010 staking his claim as the nation’s best pro-style quarterback, the NFL called to Andrew Luck. With pro scouts drooling over Luck’s arm and intellect, he was projected as the year’s No. 1 overall pick.

But Luck wanted to stay in school. To many, it seemed foolish. But now, Luck returns to college football as the de facto favorite for the Heisman trophy in 2011 after finishing second to Cam Newton in 2010.

Luck will take on the new Pac-12 in 2011, but don’t expect different results. Luck is sure to once again pick apart the best the expanded conference can offer, and will be in the Heisman conversation for the long haul.

Did Luck make the right decision? Many might say no, unless Luck is to win the trophy. But don’t be surprised if he ends up doing just that.

Kellen Moore

Idaho is not exactly a bastion of quarterbacking legend. Rare is it that the nation’s premiere passer — and winner — resides in the state. But there Kellen Moore is, with just two losses to his name, a BCS bowl victory and all kinds of scintillating passing numbers.

Moore returns in 2011 as a household name of college football, ranked by the Sporting News as the very best college football player in the country. With that comes the expectation that on the iconic blue field he will once again make a run at the Heisman Trophy.

Moore spent much of last year near the top of Heisman watch lists, but never could quite push past the sheer domination of Cam Newton, the eventual trophy recipient. For his redshirt senior year, Moore will be at the top of the list again, but this time as the old guard — and to some the favorite.

His Boise State team is once again ranked in the top 10 in preseason balloting, and Moore will certainly look to break the Broncos into the national title discussion again. If he can finally break that barrier for the non-AQ schools, there will be no denying Moore’s place among the all-time great winners in college football history, and might just mean a Heisman is waiting in New York City for him.

Others to Watch

Matt Barkley

Now in his third year as the starter at USC, Barkley will look to lead the Trojans despite the postseason ban continuing as part of the NCAA sanctions against the school. A second year under the tutelage of Lane Kiffin might give the junior a better grasp on the offense, and a possible Heisman run may await.

Justin Blackmon

Blackmon did quite a number on Big 12 defenses last season, and returns in 2011 looking to do more. A DUI charge likely halted his Heisman hopes in 2010, but with a new season comes possibility for this junior.

Case Keenum

Injuries decimated Keenum’s run at a Heisman last season, but the gaudy passer in Houston’s air-attack offense is back for another year, and if he can withstand the injury bug, could put up numbers that will shock voters in considering the sixth-year senior.

Marcus Lattimore

A breakout freshman year in a Steve Spurrier offense did wonders for Lattimore’s national recognition, and helped South Carolina win the SEC East. Now in 2011, Lattimore, along with Richardson, is one of the premiere offensive players in the SEC. That’s been a good thing to say these past couple years — Cam Newton and Mark Ingram will tell you that — can Lattimore do more of the same?

Denard Robinson

Michigan’s dual-threat quarterback was all the rage in 2010 while his team was undefeated and Robinson looked like an early-season favorite for the award. The meat of the Big Ten schedule certainly returned Robinson to earth. Can 2011 be different for the dynamic athlete?