The campaign is about ready to begin, but Chuck Hartlieb isn`t sure if he belongs in the race.
The Iowa quarterback is being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate, and that sends him reeling into a myriad of emotions. He feels at once honored, confused and embarrassed.
”I haven`t thought about the Heisman,” said Hartlieb, although he did pose with the trophy for a national preseason magazine. ”I`ve heard some names, but my mind`s been so preoccupied with the season, I couldn`t even tell you who they are.”
Neither can a lot of other people, which is exactly why Hartlieb might play the sleeper and walk away with college football`s top prize this year. The Heisman races figures to be as wide open as it`s ever been.
There`s no big-name stars such as Tim Brown, Doug Flutie, Bo Jackson or Vinny Testaverde set to make the vote academic. In 1988, the Heisman Trophy is there for the taking, or for the making.
There are at least 10 bona-fide candidates for the Heisman, maybe more. That could set off an all-time massive promotional blitz by university publicity departments as they try to get the word out on their man. At the very least, the media`s mailboxes will be full, and the paper companies will be happy.
Of course, the real standouts in the country don`t have a chance for the Heisman. Florida State defensive back Deion Sanders and Michigan State offensive tackle Tony Mandarich probably will be the best players you`ve never heard of.
The Heisman has gone and always will go to those who play the glamor positions. Hartlieb plays quarterback for a glamorous team that figures to get the necessary national exposure. Why not Hartlieb?
Hartlieb has the credentials. Even though he didn`t officially win the starting job until the fourth game of the season, the Woodstock, Ill., native still put up eye-opening numbers. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,855 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency.
Not a bad primary campaign leading into the main event. Hartlieb could heal the broken hearts Iowans suffered when Chuck Long fell just short of Jackson in the 1985 Heisman derby.
Hartlieb, though, remains realistic about the Heisman, and shuns any hype.
”It seems a little strange to see my name in there,” he said.
”Considering where I started the season last year (as part of a three-way quarterback derby), it`s hard to take this real seriously. If it happens, it happens. I`m not going to dwell on it. The season is about to begin, so the individual stuff is out the window.”
The other candidates:
Quarterback Troy Aikman, UCLA-NFL scouts already are speculating that the quarterback could be the No. 1 pick in next year`s draft. Aikman transferred from Oklahoma and its wishbone attack because he wanted to pass. The Bruins have given him the opportunity, and they haven`t been sorry. Last year, he was named a second-team All-America, behind Syracuse`s Don McPherson, and completed 65 percent of his passes. He`ll have a big opportunity to make an impression early because UCLA meets Nebraska Sept. 10 in a prime-time ABC game.
Quarterback Rodney Peete, Southern Cal-A possible Peete-Aikman showdown for the Heisman will have the folks in Los Angeles recalling the race in 1967, when UCLA quarterback Gary Beban barely beat out USC`s O.J. Simpson for the award. Peete led USC to an upset victory over UCLA and Aikman last November, sending the Trojans to the Rose Bowl. Peete threw 19 touchdown passes while connecting on 60 percent of his passes.
Running back Bobby Humphrey, Alabama-Believe it or not, despite Alabama`s great tradition, Humphrey is trying to become their first Heisman Trophy winner. He was an All-America last year and would have been a leading candidate for the Heisman if not for some physical problems. He underwent bone graft surgery on his foot last April. Then he was involved in a bar fight in July that left him with a broken jaw.
Running back Emmitt Smith, Florida-As a freshman, he placed ninth in the Heisman balloting, making him the leading returning vote-getter. He had a brilliant rookie season, rushing for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns. The only two freshmen to post more yardage were guys named Herschel Walker and Tony Dorsett. Both won the Heisman, and Smith could eventually follow in their footsteps.
Running back Sammie Smith, Florida State-He`s not related to Emmitt, but he runs like him. He`s the featured attraction in the Seminoles` offense, and he could get a lot of exposure in his team`s run for the national title. As a sophomore, he gained 1,230 yards and averaged 7.2 yards a carry.
Quarterback Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma-No wishbone quarterback has won the Heisman, but then few have ever run the wishbone as well as Holieway. However, he`s got a big obstacle after suffering a major knee injury last year. It`s still questionable about whether he`ll be able to return to 100 percent. If he does, he could keep the Sooners in the national title hunt, which would put him in the Heisman race.
Running back Eric Metcalf, Texas-As the son of former St. Louis Cardinals star Terry Metcalf, Eric has the genes for greatness. Like his father, he`s an all-purpose back, totaling 1,925 yards last year, third best in the nation. However, Metcalf needs a big year from the Longhorns to have a legitimate shot.
Quarterback Steve Taylor, Nebraska-He hurt his chances last year when he guaranteed a victory over Oklahoma and then sputtered in defeat. Still, Taylor can run and even throw occasionally. He`s still the big man in the Cornhuskers` offense.
Others to watch: Louisiana State quarterback Tom Hodson, Penn State running back Blair Thomas, South Carolina quarterback Todd Ellis, Vanderbilt quarterback Eric Jones and Miami quarterback Steve Walsh.
