2015 College Football Picks – Heisman Trophy Favorites and Top Challengers

2015 College Football Picks – Heisman Trophy Favorites and Top Challengers: The 2015 college football season is fast approaching, and while the College Football Playoff has changed the sport tremendously in regards to the national championship, the top individual honor in the sport remains the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The award is synonymous with excellence, and he Heisman is one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sports.

Last year, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota added his name to the list of Heisman winners, continuing a trend of quarterback dominance. Eight of the last nine Heisman winners have been quarterbacks, and 13 of the last 15 winners have been QBs. The trend could certainly continue in 2015, but thanks to an elite group of young running backs, the battle for the 2015 Heisman Trophy should be fierce.

2015 College Football Picks – Heisman Trophy Favorites and Top Challengers

The Frontrunners

On the strength of 696 yards during Ohio State’s final three games, RB Ezekiel Elliott carried his team to a national title and himself into the Heisman conversation for 2015.  He finished last season with 1,878 rushing yards and 18 scores and has 2,098 total yards from scrimmage. Elliott wasn’t even the focal point of the offense at the start of last season, but as the workhorse from Day 1, he should put up even bigger numbers for a team expected to make a real run at repeating as champs. Elliott has everything you look for in a Hesiman frontrunner.

As the general of one of the most explosive offenses in the country, TCU QB Trevone Boykin seems destined to put up huge numbers for a Horned Frogs squad that is one of the favorites to win the national title. Last year, Boykin threw for 3,901 yards and 33 scores, ran for 707 yards and eight scores and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass while lading TCU to a 12-1 record. By the way, Boykin amassed his numbers in his first year under center.

Last year, Alabama RB Derrick Henry ran for 990 yards and 11 scores as the team’s backup. With last season’s starter, T.J. Yeldon, off to the NFL, Henry is set to be the workhorse back for a Crimson Tide team that figures to rely on their power running game as much as ever given the lack of experience at the quarterback spot. Behind one of the best offensive lines in the country, Henry should power his way to a monster season for an Alabama team that should once again contend for a national title. Former RB Mark Ingram followed a very similar path to the Heisman in 2009.

Top Contenders

Although it is still unclear whether Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett will be Ohio State’s starting quarterback this season, what is clear is that whichever player ends up under center will be a serious threat to win the Heisman. Heck, Barrett finished fifth in the voting last year and didn’t even know he was starting until the week before the start of the season. Ohio State’s offense is loaded with weapons, and the team’s quarterback is going to put up monster numbers by default.

When Georgia’s star RB Todd Gurley went down with an injury, freshman RB Nick Chubb got a chance to show just how special he could be in his own right. He finished with 1,547 rushing yards and 14 scores, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and ending the year with eight straight 100-yard performances. With Gurley now in the NFL, Chubb will get all the carries he can handle behind a Bulldogs offensive line that should be one of the best in the country. A 2,000-yard season is a real possibility.

Playing on the West Coast will hurt him a bit, but USC QB Cody Kessler has built up enough momentum following his impressive 2014 campaign that he should have no problem staying in the Heisman conversation all year. Last season, he threw for 3,826 yards and had 39 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. He also completed 69.7 percent of his passes. If the Trojans can make a real push in the Pac-12, Kessler should make a real push for the Heisman.

Get more 2015 College Football betting odds for the 2015 season updated daily on NSAwins.com including updated odds to win the 2016 National Championship.