Wayne Root's Weekly Heisman Watch 2009:

1. Colt McCoy, QB Texas. My preseason pick to win the Heisman race in 2009. He hit just under 77% of his passes in 2008 and the Texas Longhorn O is improved. Watch out! This guy could break all-time NCAA records in 2009.

1A. Tim Tebow, QB Florida. This kid is simply incredible (as a player and as a human being). If Florida repeats as national championship, he has a great shot to join Archie Griffi as the only 2-time winner.

2. Jahvid Best, RB California. A darkhorse Heisman candidate that no other oddsmaker has put this close to the top. This kid is the best running back in America (excuse the pun). If Cal upsets USC on the shoulders of a big performance by Best, he will instantly catapult to the top of the Heisman race.

3. Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma.  I just don't think Bradford can repeat last year's performance- especially with losing 4 starters from his offensive line.

4. Zac Robinson, QB Oklahoma State. Another darkhorse- but if the Cowboys have the type of Cindarella season that Texas Tech had in 2008 and wind up in the national title hunt, Robinson will certainly get the credit and the spotlight. He is an incredible athlete- both passing and rushing the ball. If Tebow or McCoy slip (which is unlikely), Zac could wind up on top in an upset.

5. Jevan Snead, QB Mississippi. This is the kid who led Ole Miss to the upset over Florida in the swamp last year. Then he went wild to end the season versus big-time programs like LSU and Texas Tech. If Ole Miss goes undefeated in the regular season- watch him move to the top of the Heisman race.

6. Max Hall, QB BYU. He'll have to lead BYU to upsets of Oklahoma and Florida State to win the Heisman (or certainly an upset in one of those two games, with a great personal effort in both), but BYU is that good in 2009. Hall could very well be the greatest passer in BYU's storied history.

7. Evan Royster, RB Penn State. If Penn State runs the board, this kid will be the reason. If Royster leads the nation in rushing, he can pull off a Heisman upset.

8. Andy Dalton, QB TCU. Here is the longest of longshots, But this kid is the real deal. If TCU manages to reach a BSC Bowl, he is a contender.

9. Kellen Moore, QB Boise State. Same story as Dalton above.

10. Terrelle Pryor, QB Ohio State. Lots of "if's" needed here, but if Ohio State upsets USC and Penn State and reaches yet another national title game, you can bet Pryor will be in the Heisman mix.

Honorable Mentions:
Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon
Juice Williams, Illinois
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Daryll Clark, Penn State
Matt Grothe, South Florida
Noel Devine, West Virginia
Eric Berry, Tennessee
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
Kevin Riley, CAL
Todd Reesing, Kansas
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Jonathan Dwyer, Ga Tech
Joe McKnight, USC
Jake Locker, Washington (the longest of lonshots, but I predict a GREAT season for Jake)