USC's Reggie Bush averaged 179.2 all-purpose yards per game in 2004. Peter Read Miller/SI

By Gene Menez

FRONT-RUNNERS

1. Reggie Bush, RB, Jr., USC
See Reggie run. See Reggie catch. See Reggie return. He does it all with style. But can the President earn enough votes playing alongside last year's winner?

2. Matt Leinart, QB, Sr., USC
Guru Norm Chow's gone, but Leinart, who's recovered from off-season elbow surgery, needn't worry. In his quest to become the second two-time Heisman winner, he still has more talent around him than Hugh Hefner.

3. Vince Young, QB, Jr., Texas
The Longhorns' would-be savior has an unorthodox throwing motion, but he can take over games with his speed and elusiveness.

4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Soph., Oklahoma
Advantage: With quarterback Jason White gone, the offense will revolve around Peterson, last year's runner-up. Disadvantage: Three linemen also departed, creating uncertainty up front.

5. Chris Leak, QB, Jr., Florida
There's no questioning his talent, but his Heisman status will depend on how well he makes the transition from pocket passer to point man in Urban Meyer's spread-option attack.

DARK HORSES

1. Ted Ginn Jr., WR-KR, Soph., Ohio State
The Midwest's version of Bush -- only faster. Last year the former track standout returned four punts for touchdowns.

2. Reggie McNeal, QB, Sr., Texas A&M
A better passer than Young and a better runner than Leak, McNeal has to keep the Aggies on the national radar to have a chance.

3. Laurence Maroney, RB, Jr., Minnesota
He has the potential for a 2,000-yard season but plays in a system that spreads the workload.

4. Gerald Riggs Jr., RB, Sr., Tennessee
He also shared playing time last year. Let's see what he can do as the featured rusher.

5. Brian Brohm, QB, Soph., Louisville
Brohm hasn't started a game, but the übertalented passer takes over a loaded offense that doesn't know when to stop scoring.