The thrill of college football thrives off the unexpected. The surprise teams, upsets, and breakout players compose the perfect package to real excitement. The always present “anything can happen” factor has become a motto for college football. Also, we love to cheer on players who have achieved great things. It’s hard not to applaud achievements by the likes of a Tim Tebow or a Sam Bradford. Each year you know there is going to be another group of athletes to make their mark among the top players in the nation. We give those players their respected spotlight and applaud their performances. On the other side of the story lines, there are just as many disappointment stories with each season of football. Those players who fail to reach the high expectations put forth by fans and the media. Often times these players are just forgotten and fall out of the limelight. However, we are going to change that as we bring some of those disappointment stories center stage. Take a look as we break down the Top 5 biggest letdown players for the 2009 season from the offensive side of the ball.

#5. RB C.J Spiller (Clemson Tigers)

C.J Spiller shared carries during his first 3 years at Clemson with the talented power rushing back of James Davis. However, heading into the 2009 season Spiller was going to be the guy that got the work load which had Tigers fans with a ton of anticipation given Spiller game changing ability. The buzz out of the ACC and Clemson had built up a Heisman Campaign for Spiller in expectations of his big senior season. However, thus far in the season Spiller has yet to prove he has what it takes to be an every down running back. Spiller has made a bunch of big plays this year, but most of those have been from the kick and punt returns. Spiller has produced just 360 yards through 5 games and has failed to reach the century mark in all 3 ACC conference games. Actually most of the early success from the Clemson offense has come from the arm of freshman quarterback Kyle Parker, in result to Spiller’s struggles. The Tigers rushing attack has been just average after being advertised as one of the best the ACC has to offer. More importantly with Spiller receiving all the carries, it has really hurt him in the eyes of the NFL. He has yet to prove he can be an affective every down back and the only true danger he has presented to opposing teams this season has been as a return specialist. Spiller’s lack of productivity has just added to a growing list of disappointments coming out of Clemson in the last few years.

#4. QB Juice Williams (Illinois Illini)

Juice Williams had a breakout senior campaign for the Illini. The Illinois quarterback threw for 3,173 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2008 while rushing for another 719 additional yards. The big year gave many fans the indication that Williams would be an unstoppable force in his senior year. Those expectations had Illinois listed as one of the best offenses in the Big Ten entering 2009 with Williams at quarterback and WR Arrelious Benn. However, the Illini have been anything but explosive this season during their disappointing 1-4 start and the problem has been where they least expected on the offensive side of the ball. Outside of the Illini’s thrashing over an inferior Illinois State team 45-17, the team is 0-4. Williams has been a big disappointment completing just 54% on the season and only 628 yards after 5 games. After throwing for 3,000 plus yards a season ago, the Illini quarterback is on track to throw for less than 1,500 yards. Williams has 4 interceptions on the season to just 2 touchdowns and the Illinois offense has averaged just 10 points per game in their 4 losses on the season. The questionable performance by Williams has even caused the Illini to explore options with quarterback Eddie McGee as they continue to try to find some solutions for an offense that was suppose to be carried by Williams this season.

#3. RB Charles Scott (LSU Tigers)

The LSU Tigers were predicted to be among the top teams in the SEC this season and so far they have lived up to those expectations despite falling short to Florida in a big battle Saturday night. However, the main expectations on offense relied on the certainty of running back Charles Scott. The Tigers struggled offensively in 2008, but Scott was the lone bright spot on the team. Scott carried the offense racking up nearly 1,200 yards on the ground. Entering the season, LSU was expected to be among the best rushing teams in the SEC behind Scott in his senior season along with the help of Keiland Williams. However, the Tigers have failed to run the ball ranking near the very bottom of the SEC. Scott has produced just 276 yards in 6 games. The senior tailback had minimal expectations of reaching the 1,000 yard plateau again and there were many who predicted him to lead the SEC in rushing for 2009. However, Scott is on track to barely break the 500 yard mark. Outside of a big play to beat Georgia, Scott has provided absolutely nothing for the LSU offense to be cheerful about. Also if that does not change down the stretch, there is no way LSU will stay in the hunt for an SEC Championship because you have to be able run the ball in the SEC to contend.

#2.RB LaGarrette Blount (Oregon Ducks)

It did not take long for LaGarrette Blount to become one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Blount was poised to be a big threat to the Ducks rushing offense this season along side QB Jeremiah Masoli. However, in the Ducks opener to Boise State everything went wrong. Not only was Blount shutdown completely getting 8 carries for negative 5 yards, but the Ducks running back would never get a chance to redeem himself. The Ducks offense was embarrassed in their opener on the big stage falling to the Broncos 19-8. However, it was not till after the game till things really got out of hand. After being taunted in the post game celebration, Blount let his emotions get the best of him throwing a punch that landed on Byron Hout of Boise State. Blount then went on a rampage even making move towards fans on the exit ramps which was a completely embarrassing reflection on the Ducks organization. The outrage cost Blount his last year of eligibility considering he was suspended one day later for the rest of the season. Good news for Oregon fans is the Ducks have really come on strong since the shameful opener, but Blount still remains a huge disappointment.

#1. QB Jevan Snead (Mississippi Rebels)

Jevan Snead led the Mississippi Rebels on a scoring rampage to end the 2008 season displaying pinpoint accuracy while proving he had the talent to make all the throws on the field. The late season performance was so strong that it had the media and fans in Oxford raving over their new found superstar at quarterback. Snead was labeled as “the best pure quarterback in the SEC.” The media and college experts predicted great things and another big year from the Rebels quarterback in 2009. Snead’s praises even had him on preseason Heisman ballots and NFL scouts were already making plans to watch games live and get an up close encounter with possibly the next top quarterback to come out of the college ranks. However, things have been quite different in 2009. Not only has the Rebels offense struggled as a whole, but Snead has been anything but a leader behind center.

The Rebels quarterback got off to a mediocre start before SEC play got underway. However in Snead’s first big game of the year with all NFL scouts on hand, the Rebels star had the worse performance of his career going 7 of 21 for just 107 yards in a loss to South Carolina. The lackluster performance was though to just be a fluke, but since Snead has thrown 7 interceptions in the last 2 games including 4 yesterday against Alabama. In the Rebels two losses to quality SEC teams, Snead has thrown 18 for 55 and 247 yards. The Rebels who were once ranked as high as number 4 in the country have fallen outside the Top 25 with an offense that just can not move the ball. It is safe to say that Snead has easily been the biggest letdown of any single player in college football this season as the Rebels have went from an SEC offensive powerhouse a team that is averaging just 6.6 points per game in their first 3 SEC match-ups.

Current Odds To Win The Heisman Are From Sportsbook.com (as of 12/7/2009):
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• Colt McCoy 5/4
• Mark Ingram  2/7
• Ndamukong Suh 5/1
• Tim Tebow  15/1
• Toby Gerhart  3/1

Current Heisman Trophy Odds From JustBet Sportsbook (as of 12/6/2009):
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• Odds Currently Off The Board – Will Update When Available

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The College Football Season is nearing just one week away from kickoff before our favorite teams and players take the field. The element of surprise has always been a special aspect to the college game that is unparallel to other sports. Every year you have breakout teams like the Utah Utes from 2008. Predicting the breakout teams may be a difficult task especially with so many juggernaut squads like the Florida Gators, Oklahoma Sooners, and Texas Longhorns who are on top of the polls heading into the 2009 ncaa football season. The men leading those powerful teams behind center will be none other than all 3 Heisman Finalist from last season including Oklahoma Sooners QB Sam Bradford who won the Heisman Trophy just one year ago. It will be interesting to see if there are any players who will step into the spotlight and challenge for the 2009 Heisman Trophy. There were some young talents who emerged into household names last year, but the big question will be if any of these less known names can be able to overtake all three finalists from last season? We break down the 2009 Heisman Trophy candidates and give some insight on what to expect from these big names for the upcoming season.

Top 10 Heisman Favorites and Their Respetive Odds (@ The Start of the Season) To Win The Heisman Throphy in 2009:

1. QB Tim Tebow +200 – Florida Gators

The Tim Tebow promise after the Gators loss to the Ole Miss last year was one of the captivating moments of the year in college football. The Gators lived up to that promise playing harder than any football team in America crushing opponents in the SEC like no team in history. Tim Tebow already won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore campaign, but could he add another to the trophy case along side the two National Championship Trophies? Tebow’s ability to pound short yards on the ground in goal line situations make him an even better threat to put up Heisman numbers considering the touchdowns will come in abundance. However, Tebow arm does not get the credit it rightfully deserves. Tebow has completed 65% of his passes throughout his career in Gainesville and also sported the 4th best quarterback rating (172.37) in the NCAA in 2008. Florida will not only be the big favorites in the country this season, but they are catching the SEC East division in a year where they are really down in terms of talent compared to years past. Losing playmaker Percy Harvin may hurt the homerun threat, but there are plenty of talented wide outs ready to step to the plate. If the Gators offense can start from where they left in 2008, then Tebow could put up some freakishly strong numbers against the best defenses in America.

2. QB Sam Bradford +250 – Oklahoma Sooners

Sam Bradford led the Oklahoma Sooners to one of the strongest offensive showings by a team in recent memory last year. Bradford and the rest of the offense set an NCAA record by recording 5 straight games of 60 or more points. Those ridiculous numbers led to Bradford compiling 4,720 yards and even more impressively 50 touchdowns on the season. While many will try to downplay the Sooners offense in reference to the weak defenses of the Big 12, it still amazing anytime you put those types of numbers playing in one of biggest conferences in America. Bradford also led the nation with a 180.84 quarterback rating and capped off the huge year by winning the Heisman Trophy. Can Bradford become the 1st player since Archie Griffin (Ohio State 1974&1975) to win the Heisman Trophy back to back? The Sooners lost primary target Juaquin Iglesias, but they get the likely the best tight end in the country back in Jermaine Gresham. However, the wide outs will rely on unproven talent to step up to aid Bradford in the air attack. Big numbers should not be a problem for Bradford in 2009, but topping last year’s stats could be difficult.

3. QB Colt McCoy +275 – Texas Longhorns

Colt McCoy is the first player on our list not to be a previous Heisman Trophy Winner. However, McCoy’s numbers from 2008 were very deserving of that honor. McCoy led the Longhorns to a brilliant season and many feel if not for the “flawless” BCS standings the Longhorns would have been playing for the National Title. On the season, McCoy led the Texas offense racking up 3,859 yards through the air with 34 touchdowns. McCoy also rushed for another 541 yards which led the Texas rushing attack adding another 11 touchdowns on the season. The senior quarterback could be a good pick this year considering the Longhorns are slight favorites to come out on top in the Big 12 this season. However, McCoy lost some talented receivers a lot like their nemesis in Oklahoma. Texas did catch a big break when WR Jordan Shipley was granted another year of eligibility and he will definitely be the primary target for their dangerous offense. Having Shipley return to the offense, gives promising hope to the Longhorns air attack behind McCoy and should allow the Texas quarterback to put up some big numbers once again.

4. QB Terrelle Pryor +800 – Ohio State Buckeyes

Terrelle Pryor if you can recall was the enormous recruit sought after by so many of the nations top schools that actually needed more time after National Signing Day to decide his college destination. Well, usually those players fail to impress after so much hype. However, Pryor really could be among the very best in the nation just in his sophomore season. Last year as a freshman, Pryor could pick a part defenses at will with his feet. Pryor actually at times seemed to favor tucking the ball and running instead of throwing to pick up yard. The freshman carried the ball 139 times picking up 4.5 yards a carry to total 631 yards on the season behind center. Pryor threw for just 1,311 yards and 12 touchdowns despite using his legs more times than not. However, if the star studded sophomore can make his arm a bigger weapon this season it could be deadly for the Buckeyes offense. Defenses already had trouble stopping Pryor from escaping out of the backfield. If he can add a considerable threat with his arm, then the Ohio State quarterback could be unstoppable.

5. RB Jahvid Best +1000 – California Golden Bears

Jahvid Best burst onto the college football scene last season by becoming a Saturday night special on the highlight film. As the first non-quarterback on board, Best will have to really out do himself to overcome the big name quarterbacks. However, he is just the player to do so. Best rushed for 1,580 and 15 touchdowns on the ground for the Golden Bears in 2008 and is likely in for another big season. Best also shattered a single game school record last year rumbling his way for 311 yards in the season finale against Washington. The junior tailback could be in for more big accomplishments as quite possibly the best running back in the nation. The unknown star heading into 2008 took the Pac-10 by surprise averaging a lucrative 8.1 yards per carry on the ground ranking 2nd best in the country. This year the Golden Bears should be on the verge of contending in the Pac-10, if that happens and Best puts up more strong numbers it would really help make the case for Heisman consideration.

6. RB Evan Royster +1200 – Penn State Nittany Lions

Evan Royster will be another big name coming out of the Big Ten in pre-season Heisman consideration. Royster became a big threat for the Nittany Lions ground game last year racking up over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. Royster was part of a strong rushing game and resulted in 6.5 yards per carry. Rest assured the Nittany Lions main running back will get plenty of chances to bust open some big plays this year and perhaps the opportunity to get more touches than 2008. However, Royster would have to increase his numbers by a wide margin to be considered a legitimate contender in the Heisman race. Sharing time with Stephfon Green in the backfield could hurt those chances, but many have Royster on their radar for a breakout season. Royster got off to a great start in 2008, but faded down the stretch. If the junior tailback can keep it together for the entire season, then you can definitely expect his overall numbers to see a big increase.

7. QB Jevan Snead +1500 – Mississippi Rebels

We had Jevan Snead in our off-season Heisman watch and it looked like we were not the only ones. Snead has received a lot of publicity for the way he threw the ball and took over the Rebels offense at the end of 2008. Snead has possibility the most pure arm in college football. That’s right perhaps better than all our Heisman Finalist from last year. The question heading into this season is how will the Rebels offense perform? Snead struggled at times last year throwing 13 picks, but also had an SEC 2nd best 26 touchdowns to make up those mistakes. The Rebels will have the dangerous all-purpose talent of Dexter McCluster back to aid Snead with the passing game and that could spell trouble for some of the SEC defenses. The Rebels quarterback could be in store for a big year if the offense can come out firing on all cylinders. Don’t expect the interceptions to be a factor in this underdog pick. Heisman consideration or not, Snead may be the best arm at the next level than any of the quarterback on our board.

8. RB Jonathon Dwyer +1500 – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson implemented the pro running style option offense to the Yellow Jackets in his first season as coach. In the midst of the offense, the Yellow Jackets found a crowned jewel in young running back Jonathon Dwyer. Dwyer led the ACC in rushing with 1,395 yards, 12 touchdowns, and an impressive 7.0 yards per carry average. The more impressive aspect to Dwyer’s statistical success was the fact the defenses knew that the Yellow Jackets would be running the football. However, the talented youngster did not disappoint in his sophomore campaign and will be a guy to keep on your breakout list for 2009. Dwyer rushing yards increased as the season progressed hinting at all possibilities of another big season for the Yellow Jackets tailback. Also, Johnson’s new offense should be even better as many would expect in year 2 and Dwyer will be the main player leading the offensive ground game.

9. RB Kendall Hunter +2000 – Oklahoma State Cowboys

Kendall Hunter exploded out of the backfield for the Cowboys in 2008 racking up 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hunter will be in elite company with QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant on the same side of the field. The Oklahoma State offense will be explosive through the air as well on the ground. The question is will it be enough explosion the ground to get the Heisman attention? Well, Hunter definitely has that possibility as we have labeled him the best cutback player in America. Hunter has an uncanny ability to make great cuts through the holes of the defense maximizing large gains. Add the element of speed to the picture and you can see why Hunter is a favorite amongst fans. Hunter carried for 6.5 yards per carry last year while carrying a big work load with 241 touches. Expect Hunter to get another big dosage of carries this season and if the offense can live up to the hype then the electrifying tailback could really climb the polls in the Heisman race.

10. RB C.J Spiller +2000 – Clemson Tigers

So we have 9 previous players who have proved themselves on the field, but Spiller may not fit the same mold. Spiller is undoubtedly a thrilling tailback with quickness and top end speed that can out run anyone. The senior running back can really make big plays with his elite speed and bust open big plays on any given touch. However, with that being said Spiller has yet to have the breakout year that Tigers fans have been anticipating. Spiller shared time with running back James Davis over the past few seasons as fans proclaimed the duo as “thunder and lightning.” Although, “lightning” has failed to produce a single 1,000 yard campaign in his first 3 seasons at Clemson and time is definitely running on empty. In Spiller’s defense, he did not have one game where he received over 16 touches in 2008 and that does not give him the opportunity to post big numbers. However this season, Spiller will be the only threat in the backfield and maybe finally the Tigers will give him that opportunity. Still, Spiller would have to increase his numbers considerably to contend for a Heisman Trophy. Even more importantly, Clemson would have to avoid collapsing as they have done over the past few years when there has been similar around the team.

2009 Heisman Trophy Prediction & Picks:

It would definitely be an upset if any of the top 3 finalists from last season did not end up winning this year’s Heisman Trophy. However, Jahvid Best will have a legitimate shot. Best is the best underdog to take in the Heisman race, but a lot of that consideration will rely on the Golden Bears success. California will have every opportunity to finally knock off USC in the Pac-10 this year and will get the opportunity to single handedly knock off the Trojans at home on October 3rd. Consider Best as a dark horse with profitable odds. However, the big favorite still has to be Tim Tebow and for all the right reasons. Whether you are tired of hearing his name or not, Tebow still has the best chance to win the Heisman. The reason is because the Gators have such a promising outlook for the upcoming season. The team has nearly every starter returning from their National Championship crusade from last year and the opportunity to make another run at a National Championship. It would be a fitting end for the guy that has led the Gators offense over the last 4 years and already has two National Titles along with a Heisman Trophy already on his resume. Those factors simply make it hard to bet against him in the Heisman race. Harvin may be gone, but the offense will reload heavily. Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez should give the air attack plenty of firepower with Tebow delivering the bullets. Expect nothing less than another dynamic offense that will be among the best in the SEC yet again. If Tebow and the offense can avoid early season struggles as they did in 2008, expect another 40 plus total touchdowns for the 3rd season in a row which will result in another Heisman Trophy for college football’s biggest star.