Here are the Top 10 contenders heading into the season:

1. Ricky Williams, RB, Sr., Texas '97 stats: 279 att., 1,893 yds., 25 TDs Skinny: He's dubbed "Little Earl" in honor of Earl Campbell; will someone eventually be named "Little Ricky?" Williams is on pace to shatter the NCAA career rushing record. Think Barry Sanders, circa 1988.

2. Cade McNown, QB, Sr., UCLA '97 stats: 312 att., 189 comp., 3,116 yds., 24 TDs, 6 INTs Skinny: He'll finish with big numbers, if last year is any indication, and his team will be in the Top 10. A potent combo.

3. Tim Couch, QB, Jr., Kentucky '97 stats: 547 att., 363 comp., 3,884 yds., 37 TDs, 19 INTs Skinny: The stats he'll put up in coach Hal Mumme's "Air Raid" offense would be the envy of '89 Heisman winner Andre Ware. Team success will dictate Couch's share of the votes.

4. Andy Katzenmoyer, LB, Jr., Ohio State '97 stats: 97 tackles (80 unassisted, 13 for a loss), 2 INTs Skinny: Like '97 Heisman winner Charles Woodson, Katzenmoyer is so dominant on defense that he merits Heisman consideration. Playing both ways helped Woodson; reps as a fullback in goal-line situations will help Big Kat's cause.

5. Ron Dayne, RB, Jr., Wisconsin '97 stats: 263 att., 1,457 yds., 15 TDs Skinny: The Badgers' offense will go like this: handoff left, Dayne; handoff right, Dayne. The defense knows he's coming, but stopping the 260-pound force is another matter altogether.

6. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Sr., Central Florida '97 stats: 314 att., 187 comp., 2,565 yds., 19 TDs, 15 INTs Skinny: Haven't heard of him? Drop his name to your friends now, so you'll have a good seat on the bandwagon in November.

7. Kevin Faulk, RB, Sr., LSU '97 stats: 205 att., 1, 144 yds., 15 TDs Skinny: The Bayou Bengals were hurt when Faulk's backfield mate, Cecil Collins, was kicked off the team this summer, but Faulk's numbers—and Heisman hopes—improve by default.

8. Dre' Bly, DB/WR, Jr., North Carolina '97 stats: 5 INTs, 26 tackles (17 unassisted) Skinny: We've seen the flashy two-way player have Heisman success before. But voters will be unlikely to go for Charles Woodson redux in '98.

9. Donovan McNabb, QB, Sr., Syracuse '97 stats: 265 att., 145 comp., 2,488 yds passing, 20 TDs, 6 INTs, 485 yds rushing, 6 TDs rushing Skinny: Option quarterbacks rack up huge total-offense numbers that voters love. Candidacy will be made or broken in early tests against Tennessee and at Michigan.

10. Brock Huard, QB, Jr., Washington '97 stats: 244 att., 146 comp., 2,140 yds., 23 TDs, 10 INTs Skinny: The smooth lefthander postponed his NFL career—his nobility gets him on the list. Benefits from solid offensive line, but will suffer from being surrounded by inexperienced skill-position players.