Unlike the past three seasons, the Big 12 doesn't seem likely to send a representative or two to New York as a finalist for the Heisman. But here's a few players who have a shot to throw their name into contention soon.

1) Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M: Likely the most outstanding of the Big 12 quarterbacks, Johnson needs at least 10 wins to become a finalist. And Heisman contenders are perhaps too often judged against themselves, so he'll need to surpass his almost 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns from 2009. Doing all three won't be easy.

2) Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Landry Jones is an excellent quarterback to make a big jump, but listing him at No. 2 in the Big 12 among Heisman contenders is somewhat of a token gesture. Quarterbacks like Jake Locker at Washington, Kellen Moore at Boise State, Ryan Mallett at Arkansas and Case Keenum at Houston might have better seasons than Jones, but history has shown us that quarterbacks who win 11+ games at a national power, throw for 25+ touchdowns and over 3,000 yards get Heisman buzz. Jones fits that formula.

3) Garrett Gilbert, QB, Texas: See Jones, Landry. Gilbert winning would have been unthinkable five years ago, but Jones and Gilbert could be the fourth consecutive sophomores to win the Heisman.

4) DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma: Bob Stoops might be the only one who thinks DeMarco Murray can rush for 1,900 yards this season. But it sounds like Stoops will give him enough carries to do it, and if he stays healthy and follows through on Stoops' forecast, Murray will be a top contender for the trophy.

5) Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska: Helu doesn't have Murray's name recognition, but he's been more productive for the past two seasons. Now that Nebraska finds itself in the top 10, if Helu can hold off talented sophomore teammate Rex Burkhead for touches, rush for around 1,500 yards and lead the Huskers to a Big 12 title, he'll punch a ticket to New York.

6) Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: Gabbert should have the pedigree and production to become Missouri's second consecutive Heisman-finalist quarterback, and passes the eye test easily for national pundits. But it'll take an upset of Nebraska in Lincoln and a big-time coming out party (a la Jerrod Johnson vs. Texas in 2009) in the Big 12 title game for Gabbert to head to New York the following week.

And for the record, my Week 1 ballot for ESPN's weekly Heisman Watch looks like this:

1) Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
2) Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
3) Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
4) Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
5) Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas