Big Ten Hosts Three Prime Heisman Contenders
By SBRForum.com

While most of the preseason Heisman love is going USC quarterback Matt Barkley, there are three quality players in the Big Ten that could steal his thunder if their teams have BCS-contending seasons. Although Barkley is the favorite on the college football odds, here is a look at the three Big Ten players with a shot to win the award:

Denard Robinson, Michigan

Robinson is arguably the Big Ten’s best shot at winning the Heisman Trophy. The do-it-all quarterback is one of the most explosive players in college football and he’s a nightmare for defenses.

Michigan has good but not great playmakers around him, so nobody is going to share his votes. If Michigan is BCS-bound for a second year in a row and they manage to beat Alabama in their opener, Robinson will be a frontrunner.

Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Ball was a contender last season after rushing for 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns but many people felt that quarterback Russell Wilson was the better player on the team, and therefore they split the vote.

This time around, Wilson is not there and the offensive line isn’t as good. If Ball puts up similar numbers on his own, he’ll be a contender for the award.

Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

A lot of people would rather see Rex Burkhead on this list but the truth is that the Cornhuskers will only go as far as Martinez takes them. He has the explosive ability to either pass or run for a big play but he’s looked awful as a passer in previous seasons. This year, coaches and pundits were raving about his improvements in the offseason and if that’s truly the case, Martinez is in for a banner year.

Nebraska struggled a bit in their first year in the Big Ten but if they play in the Big Ten Championship and Martinez is in fact improved, he’ll be in the conversation.