CBS Sports polled 11 Heisman Trophy voters, and 9 of 11 chose USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley as their top choice to win the annual award for college football's best player.

Barkley was the overwhelming choice in the preseason HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Straw Poll released Monday, and is the clear Heisman favorite heading into the season. The fourth-year starter threw for 3,528 yards and a Pac-12-record 39 touchdowns as a junior.

That the voters chose him is a good sign that Barkley will go on to win the coveted award. The poll has been the most accurate in the country the past five seasons, according to CBS Sports' Eye on Football.

Quarterbacks E.J. Manuel of Florida State and Collin Klein of Kansas each received the two other first-place votes.

Barkley opens his case for the 2012 Heisman this weekend when USC faces Hawaii in the season opener.

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