By Anthony Voelpel

I don’t know about you, but I’m more excited for College Football season than a degenerate gambler in Vegas for the first time. These past two Saturdays have been like Christmas mornings to me and it’s just getting started. With all the action under way, I couldn’t not help myself to a little game of contender or pretender: Heisman style. Let’s take a look at who’s making the trip to New York and who’s making a trip back home to momma’s house.

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas:

Last years Heisman runner up is back for his junior season and probably his last. McFadden is the modern day Boobie Miles, meaning he can run it, catch it, and oh yeah, he can throw it too. The only problem is that he plays with the best backup in college football in Felix Jones, who’ll take some touches away. But no need to fear Razorback fans, McFadden will have plenty of Reggie Bush-like moments and eventually they’ll carry him to New York. Contender.

Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers:

Rice has a serious problem with playing in dirt…Pay dirt that is. His uncanny ability to find the end zone is starting to turn Heisman voters’ heads. The only problem you ask? He isn’t the best running back in America, let alone the best player. If he stays another year he might have a shot. Pretender.

John David Booty, QB, USC:

Being the best quarterback in the country on the best team in the country certainly doesn’t hurt your chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. After watching his torching of Michigan’s defense in the Rose Bowl game last year, I knew this guy was for real. And although he did lose key receivers in Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett, it won’t be a problem. USC doesn’t rebuild, they reload. Contender.

Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville:

Brohm threw away a lottery pick in the NFL draft to come back to win a national championship with new coach Steve Kragthorpe. He already has 776 yards and nine TD’s through the first two games of the season (they were against two cupcakes). Even if he doesn’t win the Heisman, the No. 1 pick in the draft is a good consolation prize. Contender.

DeSean Jackson, WR/PR, California:

Not many players in the country have had a better first two weeks than this guy. He is your typical big game player, just ask Tennessee, who he tooled for a game breaking, jaw dropping, 72-yard punt return the first game of the season. Jackson lives for the spotlight and is the best all around athlete in the nation. If the Heisman is what it says it is (best player in the country), it’s all Jacksons. And if you haven’t seen his high school highlight reel on YouTube, you better check it. Contender

Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii:

Another quarterback who puts up ungodly numbers but plays for the wrong team. Like Brohm, Brennan dropped out of the draft to pursue his senior season. He’ll most likely hold every quarterback record ever, but playing in the West Coast Conference doesn’t help his chances. But hey, if I played in Hawaii, the Heisman Trophy would be the last thing on my mind. Pretender.

Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia:

Probably the fastest of all the Heisman candidates, Slaton needs to have a monster season to pick up the hardware. It’s a shame he plays with fellow teammate/Heisman candidate Pat White, who is the best dual threat QB in the country. Slaton might need 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns if he wants any chance to win a trip to New York. Pretender.

Pat White, QB, West Virginia:

The best player on West Virginia not named Steve Slaton. As I mentioned before, White is a do-it-all quarterback who virtually passes for 200 yards and rushes for 100 yards every weekend. If only he didn’t have stud running back. Next year is his year. Pretender

Mike Hart, RB, Michigan:

Put this kid on any other team in the country and he’s a finalist; He’s that good. Too bad his team stinks this year. Pretender.

Quick hits from around the Country:

Boy did quarterback Sean Glennon and No. 9 Virginia Tech really crap the bed when they went to Baton Rouge this weekend. The No. 2 LSU Tigers gave them a beating they haven’t received in 25 years.

Michigan and Notre Dame are both 0-2 for the first time ever. And Big 10 fans have never been so happy.

Must See games this weekend:

No. 8 Louisville at Kentucky. Keep an eye out for Cat’s QB Andre Woodson.

No. 1 USC at No. 14 Nebraska. A true road test for the men of Troy.

No. 16 Arkansas at Alabama. I heard that guy McFadden is pretty good.

Darren McFadden, Arkansas RB