Seeing Stars
Interest in college football in Utah is extremely high, these days, with all the conference shifting going on.
But when they finally do get down to playing, it should be even more interesting. Aside from the prospects of how Utah, BYU and USU do, there’s the draw of seeing great players on other teams.
Either on TV or in person, Beehive State football fans will have the chance to see no fewer than five Heisman Trophy considerations. ESPN.com has released a photo gallery of “20 Top Heisman Hopefuls” and a quarter of them will be playing against teams from Utah.
No. 2 on the list is Washington quarterback Jake Locker, while Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder is No. 4. BYU hosts Washington Sept. 4 and plays at Florida State on Sept. 18.
Meanwhile, the No. 8 candidate is Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore. The Broncos play USU Dec. 4 in Boise. No. 11 is Pitt running back Dion Lewis, whose Panthers open the season Sept. 2 in Salt Lake against Utah. Checking in at No. 19 is Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd, who will be playing against Utah in the Nov. 13 game at South Bend.
Seems the local teams have already been playing big-time schedules. Also on this year’s Heisman Hopefuls list are Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers, whom the Utes saw in Salt Lake two years ago; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones, whom BYU introduced to the game last year when it took out Sam Bradford; Oregon’s LaMichael Jones, who rushed for 152 yards against Utah, last season; and Alabama receiver Julio Jones, who has seven catches in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Utes. Also on the list is the No. 1 Heisman Hopeful, Mark Ingram, who rushed for 26 yards against the Utes.