2015 Heisman Trophy winner: Rule of Tree Staff Predictions

Ben Leonard: Winner: Derrick Henry

I almost went the homer route and picked Christian McCaffrey, because it looks like it's going to be a a very tight race. ESPN has even pegged McCaffrey as the favorite in their Heisman poll, and there's reason for McCaffrey optimism given that the two Southern teams' players (DeShaun Watson and Henry) might very well split the Southern vote, giving McCaffrey a window to win. But I think too many people have pegged Henry as the Heisman winner for too long, and dismissed McCaffrey's candidacy because "he can't beat an SEC player," for him to win. It'll be close, but no cigar for McCaffrey at the end of the day.

twitter: @Ben___Leonard

Nerdnation23: Derrick Henry hands-down. He goes to the best academic-athletic school in the country, played for a great team headed for a New Years Six Bowl and broke the greatest record in college football which was the all-purpose yards in a season by Barry Sanders.... Oh wait, that's Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey and Stanford will find itself on the losing end of yet another preposterous Heisman Trophy presentation.

Tim Eckert-Fong: Winner: Christian McCaffrey

Stanford breaks its Heisman drought thanks to McCaffrey's massive PAC-12 championship game and the nonsensical nature of College Football awards. Make no mistake about it, McCaffrey deserves it but the only reason I believe he'll win it is because Henry won the Doak Walker award.

Just kidding, Henry is totally going to win and I deserve part of the blame for putting $50 on McCaffrey.

Matt Vassar: If you like explosive players, you vote McCaffrey. If you like big plays, you vote McCaffrey. If you're looking for Heisman moments aplenty, you vote McCaffrey. If you're a fan of advanced stats, you vote McCaffrey. If you prefer simple stats, you vote McCaffrey. If you want to recognize the most outstanding player in the country, you vote McCaffrey. If, however, you're a Heisman voter, you vote Henry.

To hear Matt comment in depth on why McCaffrey deserves the Heisman, click below to listen to his most recent episode of Cardinal CounTree: