The Heisman Trophy presentation 2009 is hours away, as the Downtown Athletic Club crowns a new legend. But the Heisman Trophy presentation 2009 could go to any one of five budding legends, presumably. Some nominees are bigger favorites than most, and this award isn't usually prone to

upsets. However, it is a relatively wide open field at the Heisman Trophy presentation this year, as befitting this wide open 2009 season.

If there is a favorite tonight, it is probably Alabama's Mark Ingram. That is due in part to leading the No. 1 team in the nation, to his big performance against Florida last week - and since Alabama may be due for a Heisman Trophy. The Tide are highly decorated, but have never had the best player in the nation in a given year. Ingram is their best hope in a long time to change that.

If star power means anything at the Heisman Trophy presentation, then Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow are favored. In any other circumstances, they might be, since McCoy is due for a Heisman and Tebow is still trying to win two. But Tebow all but killed his chances last week, and McCoy was a second away from destroying his as well. However, McCoy was regarded as the favorite before last week, and took home many College Football Awards on Thursday, so he still has a shot.

The dark horse in the race may be Stanford's Toby Gerhart, the second running back in the race. Gerhart didn't lead his team to a BCS title shot, but carried them on his back to a rare winning season. If the 2009 Heisman race is for the most valuable player to a team, then Gerhart may have a leg up.

But the most electrifying figure at the 2009 Heisman Trophy presentation may be a late contender. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh has been the best defensive player in years, but had his national coming-out party against Texas last week. That has fueled the call for Suh to win, even though defensive tackles almost never win the award.