Heisman survey: Here comes Johnny Football
The 2012 Heisman Trophy race wasn't exactly redefined by the weekend's games, but it's safe to say a favorite for 2013 might have emerged.
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein remains the frontrunner for this season. After running for two touchdowns while leading the Wildcats to a business-like win at TCU, Klein picked up 109 of a possible 111 points in the USA TODAY Sports Media Group survey of its 37 official Heisman voters. Klein was named first on 35 ballots and second on the other two. Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o is second with 34 points and one first-place vote.
| Rank | Player | 2012 statistics | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| 1 | CollinKlein, Kansas State | 2,020passing yards, 12 TDs; 748 rushing yards, 19 TDs | 35 | 2 | 109 | |
| 2 | MantiTe'o, Notre Dame | 92tackles, 6 interceptions | 1 | 11 | 9 | 34 |
| 3 | Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M | 2,780 passing yards, 18 TDs; 1,014 rushing yards, 15 TDs | 12 | 8 | 32 | |
| 4 | Kenjon Barner, Oregon | 1,360 rushing yards, 19 TDs | 8 | 7 | 23 | |
| 5 | BraxtonMiller, Ohio State | 1,753passing yards, 14 TDs; 1,166 rushing yards, 13 TDs | 4 | 5 | 13 | |
| 6 | Marqise Lee, USC | 1,447 receiving yards, 13 TDs | 4 | 4 | ||
| 7 | Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech | 3,283 passing yards, 27 TDs | 1 | 3 | ||
| Marcus Mariota, Oregon | 2,164passing yards, 28 TDs; 516 rushing yards, 3 TDs | 3 | 3 | |||
| 9 | Montee Ball, Wisconsin | 1,226 rushing yards, 16 TDs | 1 | 1 |
But it was Texas A&M freshman sensation Johnny Manziel who made the biggest splash, thanks to his big-stage performance in the Aggies' road upset of then-No. 1 Alabama. After receiving no votes a week ago, Manziel finished third in this week's survey with 32 total points. While freshmen historically have a hard time getting widespread support among Heisman voters, Manziel figures to enter the 2013 season on everybody's radar.
Oregon running back Kenjon Barner is still in the mix, finishing fourth with 23 points. But his teammate, quarterback Marcus Mariota, overshadowed him a bit with his six-TD night at California and grabbed three points himself. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller slipped to fifth with 13 points while the Buckeyes had a bye.
The remaining No. 1 vote went to Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron, but that was the only ballot on which he was named. Southern California receiver Marquise Lee and Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, a Heisman finalist last season, also got votes.