Pre-season 2008 Top 25 Heisman Candidates

The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner will be either 2007 winner Tim Tebow, or someone else. It's more likely to be someone other than Tebow, but there isn't anyone more likely to win it than Tebow. Wrap your head around that, and here is the pre-season Top 25 for the Heisman Trophy, and why each of them probably won't win it.

1. Tim Tebow, Jr. QB, Florida - The first Heisman winner who returns without a lot of "buyer's remorse" in recent memory, which means he has a real chance to repeat, especially since Florida should be in the national title hunt. He starts on top until someone else emerges to take the lead. What sinks him: He'll be held to a higher standard as a potential two-time winner, and he probably can't match last year's stats, especially the 50+ TDs.
2. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State - He has the talent, the nickname, and a probably the nation's best team to support him. He'll have a great chance to shine in the marquee game of the year against USC. What sinks him: Anti-Buckeye bias. Lose to USC and no one will care about OSU during the rest of the season.
3. Chase Daniel, Sr. QB, Missouri - He finished 4th last year, coming on strong late. Missouri has a good chance of going undefeated for most of the year and Daniel's numbers will be tough to beat. What sinks him: At some point the "system" rap has to be applied to Daniel. Is he really that good, or is he on a great team in a great system?
4. Patrick White, Sr. QB, West Virginia - Sixth in last year's vote, White rushed for well over 1,000 yards last season, and the Mountaineers are expected to be among the elite in '08; White is my favorite to win the trophy in '08. What sinks him: Meager passing yards and a propensity for injury.
5. Knowshon Moreno, So. RB, Georgia - Moreno exploded onto the scene in the 2nd half of the season. Now he's starting from game one on the #1 team. What sinks him: A tough schedule, plus the fact that he's a sophomore, which still holds weight and puts him behind Wells among backs if it's close.
6. Michael Crabtree, So. WR, Texas Tech - He had almost 2,000 receiving yards last season; if Tech has a big year, and if he breaks 2K he'll be in New York. What sinks him: Can he really match last season's numbers? Plus he's a sophomore, though 2,000 yards would offset a lot of that.
7. Graham Harrell, Sr. QB, Texas Tech - After 5 bazillion yards last season, he might have even more this year. What sinks him: The "system" rap; any questionable stats (interceptions, etc.) will be scrutinized; has to compete with Crabtree
8. Cullen Harper, Sr. QB, Clemson - Great TD/INT ratio and efficiency, if Clemson runs the table he'll get looks. What sinks him: Any losses by Clemson, as he's not as well-known at this point, lost amidst the glut of quarterbacks.
9. Sam Bradford, So. QB, Oklahoma - Incredible freshman debut last year, and the Sooners will be in the heart of the national battle. What sinks him: Sophomore. The sophomore slump, plus being a sophomore he'll be behind other QBs if it's close.
10. Percy Harvin, Jr. WR/RB, Florida - He's supposed to see more action as the offense protect Tebow more. What sinks him: All-purpose runners need highlight reel, and missing the first game won't help his stats.
11. James Laurinaitis, Sr. LB, Ohio State - The token defensive player on the list, he can stay on the list if Ohio State beats USC. What sinks him: He plays defense.
12. Armanti Edwards, Sr. QB, Appalachian State - He runs, he passes, he leads a national championship contender. But he's not Tim Tebow, he's Armanti Edwards, who needs to do well against LSU to have a prayer. What sinks him: Division I-AA.
13. Matthew Stafford, Jr. QB, Georgia - He didn't have amazing stats last year, and his popularity as a candidate seems to be based completely on his NFL potential and Georgia's ranking. What sinks him: Pedestrian stats, Knowshon Moreno, and any losses by the Bulldogs.
14. Colt McCoy, Jr. QB, Texas - Almost forgotten in the Heisman discussion, McCoy should bounce back and have a great year again for the Longhorns. What sinks him: The Big Twelve is tough, and Texas will probably have its share of losses.
15. Max Hall, Jr. QB, BYU - If BYU has the BCS-bound season many expect, Hall could get in the race. What sinks him: Quarterback glut.
16. Todd Reesing, Jr. QB, Kansas - Incredible TD/INT numbers last year; if KU and Reesing have the same kind of year as last season, he'll be among the finalists. What sinks him: With the Jayhawks' schedule this year, that's going to be tough.
17. Matt Grothe, Jr. QB, South Florida - South Florida is going to be tough this year, and Grothe is another QB who led his team in rushing. What sinks him: Any loss by USF; interceptions need to come down.
18. Rudy Carpenter, Sr. QB, Arizona State - It seems like he's been around forever, doesn't it? If ASU makes a Pac-10 run, Carpenter will be the reason. What sinks him: USC, Oregon, maybe even Arizona. The Sun Devils need to be undefeated if he has a chance.
19. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State - Had good stats last year and should be even better this season, for a team that could win it all. What sinks him: USC, possibly; Chris Wells; and has to avoid mistakes.
20. Jeremy Maclin, So. WR, Missouri - The Tigers' triple threat, he'll need some kickoff/punt returns for TDs to stay in the running. What sinks him: Needs a steady stream of highlight reel, and is a sophomore competing with senior QB Daniel.
21. Juice Williams, Jr. QB, Illinois - Williams improved greatly over the course of last season, and is a true double threat now. Nickname's always a plus. What sinks him: Illinois will be hard-pressed to repeat last season, and really they need to exceed it for him to win.
22. Brian Johnson, Sr. QB, Utah - If he's on top of his game he's one of the best, and Utah could make a BCS run this season. What sinks him: Injuries, losing to Michigan or BYU, or anywhere in-between.
23. Mark Sanchez, Jr. QB, USC - Showed great promise last season, with a few mistakes. If USC is in the running, he is, but he needs a big game against Ohio State early on. What sinks him: Knee problem, losing any games, pretty much.
24. Jake Locker, So. QB, Washington - Forget Tim Tebow, Locker is the most exciting player in the country. Too bad he's on Washington, who might have a winning record. What sinks him: Washington, sophomore, erratic play.
25. Dan LeFevour, Jr. QB, Central Michigan - Another Tebow type, he rushed for more yards and passed for more yards than Florida's QB, and had 46 TDs. What sinks him: He plays in the MAC.

Others receiving "votes": Curtis Painter, Purdue; LeSean Jackson, Pittsburgh; DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma; Ian Johnson, Boise State; Stafon Johnson, USC; Noel Devine, West Virginia; Marlon Lucky, Nebraska; Joe McKnight, USC; Ray Maualuga, USC; Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State.