The presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy is for the most outstanding player in college football each season, but the prestigious award often goes to the player on the team with the best overall talent.

Only once in the history of the award has a player from a losing team wound up with the hardware. That was in 1956 when quarterback Paul Hornung won it for Notre Dame.

That said, here are the top five players most likely to attend the presentation ceremony in New York, and five reasons why they might not win it either:

John David Booty, QB, Southern California: Booty threw for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdown passes last year in a rebuilding season for the Trojans, and they still won at least 11 games and finished in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive season. Three of the last five Heisman winners hail from Troy, so the pedigree is there, but if Booty doesn't lead USC to the national championship in his second year as the starter, it won't matter how many yards or touchdowns he has.

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: The runner-up a year ago, McFadden might be the favorite to win this year if it weren't for the fact that his team has so many issues. Arkansas won 10 games and played in the Southeastern Conference title game last season, but the Razorbacks were dealt a heavy blow in the offseason when heralded quarterback Mitch Mustain transferred to USC and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left for Tulsa. Teams will be expecting the Hogs to run against them this season, so it's doubtful McFadden will be able to build upon the 1,647 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns of 2006.

Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: Brohm could have been a first-round draft pick had he foregone his senior season for the NFL, but he returned to try to win a national title. The Cardinals were 12-1 a year ago, but will they be as good with a new head coach? Louisville also plays in the Big East Conference, widely considered to be the weakest link among BCS conferences. That could hurt Brohm's chances.

Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii: Brennan completed 73 percent of his passes for 5,549 yards and an NCAA-record 58 touchdown passes last season. He briefly flirted with leaving early for the NFL draft but decided to return for his senior season at Hawaii. Hurting Brennan's Heisman chances is his location (Hawaii is six hours behind the east coast, meaning there's a whole group of voters who won't see him play) and past character issues, including his stint at Colorado, where he was convicted of burglary and criminal trespass in a dormitory.

Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: The Longhorn threw a school-record 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in his first season as a starter last year. He'll be counted on to provide more leadership for Texas in 2007, but history indicates he won't win. Since the first Heisman Trophy was awarded in 1935, there has never been a freshman or sophomore who has won it. McCoy is a sophomore, so he won't win.