AUBURN, Ala. - There was no campaigning and no hype.

No billboards of Jason Campbell graced Times Square and the Auburn athletics department didn't send out freebies and knick-knacks to promote their senior quarterback.

Campbell's incredible final season at Auburn won't end with a Heisman Trophy, but perhaps only because his surge from mediocrity to superstardom happened so quickly and caught so many by surprise.

Heisman ballots were mailed out two weeks ago and are due back in one week. Although Campbell probably won't be making a victory speech on the podium when the award is announced Dec. 11, many predict he will garner enough votes from the 923 electors to earn a finish as high as fifth or sixth place.

His coaches and teammates think he should be No. 1.

"He'd be the first guy," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "Tell me who is playing better. Who has led their team? Who has had the largest margin of victory? That's all him."

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has been around two Heisman-winning quarterbacks at Miami - Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta - and said Campbell compares favorably with both.

"Both were on undefeated teams at this point in the season and both won the Heisman Trophy," Tuberville said. "(Campbell) has probably been more consistent. We've played against stronger competition throughout the year and the big games have made a difference."

A series of factors conspires against Campbell's chances of winning college football's biggest award.

For one, most Heisman candidates have elaborate and expensive marketing campaigns managed by their universities. The marketing helps generate the crucial preseason hype and ensures that a candidate is on all the early season "watch lists."

With Auburn and Campbell coming off a middling 2003 season, the hype would have seemed absurd back in August. In any case, most believed running back Carnell Williams had a better chance of winning the award.

The other factor working against Campbell is the nature of the Auburn offense.With two future NFL running backs in the backfield - Williams and Ronnie Brown - Auburn's offense doesn't need to throw the ball as often as more pass-oriented attacks.

"Who is playing better from what they're asked to do?" Borges asked. "Remember, he ain't throwing 40 passes a game. That would be bad coaching if we did."

Auburn's frequent lopsided victories have also cut down on the number of passing opportunities in the second half of many games.

"He doesn't put up numbers like everybody else does," Auburn wide receiver Anthony Mix said. "That's not what our offense does. We have a balanced offense. What he does, he does it well. It has us winning right now."