Back in August I wrote an article for this site previewing the Heisman Trophy race. I predicted it would come down to Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, Ohio St QB Terrelle Pryor, and Alabama running back Mark Ingram who won the award last year. Well, both Mallett and Ingram missed games due to injury, and Pryor had a good year but not good enough to compete for the Heisman. After 2 or 3 weeks it looked like Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was going to run away with the award, but he too battled injuries and a mediocre team and faded from contention. There was no clear cut favorite until a former Florida quarterback who was the back-up to Tim Tebow came on the scene. He left Florida to get more playing time and played at a junior college in Texas. He accounted for 38 touchdowns and led the team to a junior college national championship in 2009. He was heavily recruited by many teams but it came down to two teams that were SEC conference rivals. The quarterback wanted to go to Mississippi St because their new head coach was his offensive coordinator at Florida and the two had a great relationship. He verbally committed to the Bulldogs, but changed his mind on the advice of his father and signed with Auburn.

I am, of course, referring to quarterback Cam Newton. It is common knowledge that Newton’s decision to go to Auburn was controversial to say the least. It came out that Cecil Newton, Cam’s father solicited Mississippi St on behalf of his son and said it would cost the Bulldogs between $100,000 and $180,000 for Cam to play in Starkville. Allegedly, Cecil later told the Bulldogs that Auburn had offered more money and that Cam would go there instead. These allegations came out during the season and the NCAA is still investigating the matter. Last week just before the SEC Championship Game, the NCAA said there wasn’t enough evidence that Cam or Auburn knew about Cecil’s misdeeds, so Cam Newton is still eligible to play. It is simply amazing that despite all the distractions that Newton is getting better week. He has led the Tigers to an undefeated regular season and a date with Oregon in the BCS Championship game next month. He is a prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this week, but the unseemly allegations surrounding Newton and his family might put off some voters. In the same year that Reggie Bush had to give back his Heisman Trophy from a few years ago for similar transgressions, voters might think twice about giving the award to someone that might have to give it back in a few years, further tarnishing the legacy of the Heisman.

It is only those reservations that are adding any intrigue at all to the race for the Heisman. Newton has been so dominant on the field that he certainly deserves the award. Though the other finalists, Stanford QB Andrew Luck, Oregon running back LeMichael James, and Boise St quarterback Kellen Moore have all had great years, none have been as dominant as Newton. Here is a look at the four candidates and their odds to win the Heisman courtesy of bodog.com.

Cam Newton (1/3) Newton is putting up ridiculous video game-like numbers this season. He has almost 4,000 combined rushing and passing yards, along with 48 total touchdowns (28 passing) and has only thrown 6 interceptions. His 48 touchdowns are more than 80 FBS teams have on the season. In a perfect world, he would challenge another Auburn player Bo Jackson’s record for biggest margin of victory in a Heisman race. However this race will be closer than it needs to be just because of the actions of Cecil Newton. Newton will still win, but it will be interesting to see by how much.

LaMichael James (+150) While James won’t win the Heisman he still has a chance to beat Newton on the field in the BCS Title Game. I am sure if you asked James he would much rather win the national championship than the Heisman anyway. James has been brilliant in the Ducks’ explosive offense. James has 281 carries for 1,682 yards  and 21 touchdowns. He also has 13 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown. He leads the nation in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Andrew Luck (+175) Luck’s consolation prize might not come until next April when he is projected to be the number one pick in the NFL draft. Luck has led the Cardinal to an 11-1 record and a berth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. Stanford’s only loss on the season is at Oregon, 56-31. Luck has thrown for 3,051 yards with 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His rating is 166.8 and he has a completion percentage of 70%. The one thing that might hurt luck is the Cardinal didn’t play a lot of games on national television and people might not have have seen luck’s brilliance in action.

Kellen Moore (+500) Many people thought Moore’s chance of competing for the Heisman evaporated with the Bronco’s loss at Nevada 2 weeks ago along with their chance of going to a BCS Bowl. Moore has had a fantastic year and career at Boise St, and he being a finalist is more like a lifetime achievement award. You could have gone with Moore in this spot or some people feel Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones or Oklahoma St wide receiver Justin Blackmon would be deserving of the honor as well. Any of the three are deserving candidates.  Moore has thrown for 3,506 yards, 33 touchdowns and 5 interceptions his rating is 185.5 and he has a completion percentage of 71%. Moore even has a touchdown catch out of the wildcat formation.

There you have it. Newton should and will win despite the off-field issues. The award will be handed out at 8:00 pm Eastern on ESPN.