Matt
Barkley, USC Trojans
Matt
Barkley returns to college football after basically being guaranteed a top 10
pick in the NFL draft. He is more than determined to win the national title,
and has USC on track to win the championship in January.
Barkley's astonishing 2011 stats were –– 9,054 yards, 80 touchdowns,
and is Athlon's first-team All-American quarterback for 2012. The college
senior ranks third in USC history, with 9,013 career yards and 80 touchdown
passes.
Landry
Jones, Oklahoma Sooners
Starting
last season off as a Heisman candidate, then ending the year in major
disappointment, Landry Jones announced that he will forgo the draft with hopes
that he can lead the Sooners to victory. Although his 2011 stats of 4,463
yards, 29 TDs and 15 INTs are impressive, will they be enough for a championship?
Geno
Smith, West Virginia Mountaineers
After
Geno Smith's record breaking performance during last years Orange Bowl, scoring
7 touchdowns, and closing his junior year with 4,400 yards and 31 touchdowns,
its clear that Smith will be another top player this season. As a member of the
Big 12, and now in his second year with Holgorsen's pass-friendly offense, he
has a great chance of being in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
Aaron
Murray, Georgia Bulldogs
Although
Aaron Murray's stats took a hit from his freshman year, he has been named as
the 2012 preseason All-SEC East quarterback pick. After embarrassing wins over
Boise State and South Carolina, Murray led the Bulldogs to 10 consecutive wins.
During the final 6 games of 2011 he completed 60 percent of his passes for 17
touchdowns.
Tajh
Boyd, Clemson Tigers
Last but
certainly not least, Tajh Boyd is remembered for leading the most explosive
offenses in college football, leading to the teams first 10 win season since
1990! Although the upcoming junior struggled toward the end of the season,
finishing 2011 with 3,828 yards, 33 TDs, 12 INTs and a 141.2 passer rating, his
incredible athleticism gives Clemson a fighting chance for the championship.
