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Some things have not changed in regards to the 2006 Heisman Trophy chase. Ohio State senior quarterback Troy Smith is the front-runner and Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn is a close second. This story hasn’t changed since mid-September when the Buckeye’s quarterback jumped into the lead after Quinn and his Irish melted down against Michigan.

I have had fun the past few days going over my Heisman Trophy candidate’s list and moving names around. For the most part I have been moving players down the list or scratching them all together. However one name is ascending quickly and that is Arkansas sophomore running back Darren McFadden.

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Not only is McFadden a legitimate candidate but also he gives southern voters a name to hang onto. The only serious candidate from the south coming into the 2006 season was Florida senior quarterback Chris Leak but his candidacy dimmed with the emergence of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow who has split time under center with Leak. Although the starter, Leak has become a part time quarterback having to give way to Tebow in most scoring (red zone) and short down situations. A part-time quarterback is not going to win the Heisman trophy.

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If you want to know why southern voters are so important to the Heisman race is because most of the candidates are from the North or East and these players will split some of the votes. That allows the southern voters to get behind one player. From what I see and hear, this is what’s happening. And don’t ever think a large group of sports writers and broadcasters will not get together and throw their support behind a certain player. This happened in 1997 when Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning was by far the only candidate worthy of winning the Heisman Trophy but northern writers and broadcasters hijacked his candidacy. It became a campaign of sorts to deny Manning the Heisman and the campaign was successful as Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson was awarded the trophy.

I am not suggesting a conspiracy has emerged. It’s more of a regional thing. As long as McFadden dazzles voters with Reggie Bush type numbers he is going to get the backing of numerous voters especially those below the Mason-Dixon line.

So my top three candidates to win the award are Smith, Quinn and McFadden. My number four is Rutgers sophomore running back Ray Rice. Rice is a tremendous player and will get a few votes. Rice will be challenged on the list by West Virginia runner Steve Slaton who slipped down the list a couple of spots after his fumble filled performance in the Mountaineers loss at Louisville two weeks ago. Rice might be one of the five invited to New York for the awards ceremony but he won’t win it.

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I have scratched from my list Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Georgia Tech wide-receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson, another southern player might be the best wide receiver in the country but he is not playing in a system that exploits his talents. Also there is no media blitz supporting his candidacy as there is for McFadden. I have also scratched Boise State running back Ian Johnson and Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe.

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