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Cardinal fans know quite a bit about their own Derby City duo Heisman candidates, but what about the rest of the pack? Here are a few names to keep in mind when it comes to deciding the best player in college football this season.

The FavoritesBrady Quinn: Jr. QB Notre DameAfter a decent freshman year, Quinn flourished under first coach Charlie Weiss as a sophomore, shattering a variety of Notre Dame passing records. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 32 interceptions and will only get better with another year under Weiss’s system.Why he’ll win: Besides being as physically gifted as any signal caller in college football, not to mention playing in an offensive system that makes quarterbacks look unbelievable (remember Tom Brady), Quinn plays for Notre Dame. The Irish are one of the most heralded football programs in the nation, tied with USC for the most Heisman recipients. Having every game broadcast on national TV doesn’t hurt the program either.Why he won’t: Notre Dame’s schedule is like having to walk through your ex-spouse’s family reunion-absolute agony: Penn State, Michigan, UCLA, Purdue, Stanford, and the season finale at USC. If Quinn and company stumble early this season, Quinn’s Heisman hopes will too.

Adrian Peterson: Jr. RB OklahomaPeterson showcased his skills three years ago in Norman, and he has since been among the Heisman chatter. After going for 1,975 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, he had a disappointing second season battling the injury bug. With Peterson’s clean bill of health, Brady Quinn will definitely have some competition for the award.Why he’ll win: When he’s 100 percent, Peterson is pound for pound the best pure football player in the NCAA. He showed that his first year, and with a solid Oklahoma team dedicated to giving him the ball, he could duplicate or even improve on his freshman year when he finished second behind Matt Leinart in the votes.Why he won’t: Superstar quarterback Rhett Bomar was recently dismissed from the team by Head Coach Bob Stoops, leaving the Sooners barren at the helm. Opposing teams will now have to focus less on the passing game which will put more pressure and hits on Peterson.

The Sexy PicksTroy Smith: Sr. QB Ohio StateOhio State’s main man has been no stranger to the spotlight both on and off the field for the Buckeyes. Smith was suspended last year for the first game of the season for taking money from a booster, but he ended the year with a career game against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, combining for over 400 total yards.Why he’ll win: Smith is another one of those dual-threat quarterbacks that everyone seems to love. His potential to break out for that huge run or make that tremendous pass is what makes him so appealing. With Ohio State football always in the spotlight, Smith will get a chance to show the nation his dynamic ability. Why he won’t: Ohio State returns just two starters on defense which may put the team in some bad situations. While Smith has the ability to make the big play, when put under pressure or forced to lead his team back from a large deficit, his potential sometimes turns to mistakes.

Ted Ginn Jr.: Jr. WR Ohio StateGinn was not even the top receiver on the team last year playing second fiddle to first round draft pick Santonio Holmes. Ginn had just 51 catches for a little over 800 yards and 4 touchdowns on the year but is coming into 2006 primed for a break out campaign.Why he’ll win: He is one of those players that everyone loves to watch with the potential to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. He is lightning fast, has great moves in the open field and solid hands, making him a threat not only as a receiver, but as someone taking the ball out of the backfield and as a punt returner. Why he won’t: Ginn was very inconsistent last year. He caught just over five balls in a game and despite his speed, he only scored five touchdowns. Also, only two wide receivers have ever won the Heisman Trophy (Tim Brown and Desmond Howard), but doing so would put him in some elite company.

DarkhorseChris Leak: Sr. QB FloridaAfter entering Florida as the No. 1 prep quarterback, things have been a little rough for Leak. However, after enduring two years of the Ron Zook era in Gainesville, former Utah coach Urban Meyer had the Gators and their quarterback back on track.Why he’ll win: Ranking up there with his counterpart Brady Quinn at Notre Dame, Leak has all the tools to excel at a very high level at the quarterback position. In his first year under coach Urban Meyer’s complex offense, Leak struggled but still managed to put up solid numbers. With another season under Meyer’s regime and the opportunity to showcase his arm against the SEC, Leak has great chance at sneaking up on the nation in the Heisman race.

Other names to look for:John David Booty: Sr. QB USCCan USC make it a three-peat for the Heisman, following in 2004 winner Matt Leinart’s and 2005 winner Reggie Bush’s footsteps?Steve Slaton: So. RB West VirginiaHad almost 1,200 yards rushing despite little-to-no playing time in four games last year.Marshawn Lynch: Jr. RB CaliforniaAveraged over seven yards per carry at Cal and could do serious damage if he does not have to share carries.

Heisman Trophy Facts and Tidbits- The award’s full name is the”Heisman Memorial Trophy Award,” named after former college football player and coach John W. Heisman. The trophy is modeled after Ed Smith, a former 1934 New York University football star.- The award was originally presented at the famous Downtown Athletic Club in Manhattan, New York, but since 2002, the ceremony has been hosted by the Yale Club in Manhattan.- Ohio State’s Archie Griffin is the only player to win back-to-back Heisman Trophies. The running back accomplished the feat in 1974 and 1975. – 1997 Heisman winner Charles Woodson is the only primarily defensive player to take home the award. The former Michigan cornerback also returned kickoffs and punts.

Odds of winning the Heisman Trophy From wagerweb.com Brady QuinnNotre Dame2.5-1Adrian PetersonOklahoma4-1Troy SmithOhio State8-1Ted GinnOhio State15-1Mike HartMichigan15-1Chris LeakFlorida15-1Steve SlantonW. Virginia18-1Michael BushLouisville20-1Kenny IronsAuburn25-1Marshawn LynchCal25-1Darius WalkerNotre Dame25-1Chad HenneMichigan28-1Drew TateIowa30-1Kenneth DarbyAlabama30-1Brian BrohmLouisville40-1Blake MitchellSouth Carolina50-1Drew StantonMichigan State50-1Drew WeatherfordFSU50-1Derrick WilliamsPenn State50-1Kyle WrightMiami50-1Reggie BallGeorgia Tech75-1Jamarcus RussellLSU75-1Willie TuitamaArizona75-1