One of the problems with the Heisman Trophy is that even though it is nominally awarded to college football’s most outstanding player, we all know only a small percentage of players are truly in the running.

Don’t touch the ball? Forget about it. Lose a couple of games? Voters will barely give you a sniff.

Our SEC MVP rankings will work a little differently. Certainly the guys who get the glory elsewhere will get their share here as well. But we aim to bring a true list of the players most valuable to their teams, regardless of position or national standing.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, it’s probably harder. The SEC, as always, is loaded with individual talent across the board. Adding the offensive linemen and defensive players to the mix and then trying to whittle the list down to a subjective top 10 is no simple task.

But here’s our best shot after Week 1.

10. LT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

Preseason rank: 5

The Rebels’ anchor at left tackle is barely holding on to his spot after sitting out Ole Miss’ Week 1 trouncing of Tennessee-Martin. If he weren’t one of the best offensive linemen the country, he’d probably already be bounced to the “others receiving votes” category. The Rebels announced Saturday that he’d be sitting for the opener due to an ongoing NCAA investigation into allegations that he received improper benefits from NFL agents. If Tunsil gets back on the field and resumes mauling opposing defenders this weekend, expect to see him rising back up this list. But as of Monday, there’s no clear timetable for his return.

9. DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Preseason rank: 11

Daeshon Hall had four sacks and made the biggest splash Saturday in the Aggies’ statement-making win over Arizona State. But Garrett wasn’t far off the pace, recording two sacks, one forced fumble, three hurries and generally wreaking havoc in the Sun Devils’ backfield. Just 13 games into his collegiate career (he missed one game due to injury in 2014), Garrett already has 13.5 sacks.

8. RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

Preseason rank: 6

Fournette can blame his slight dip in the rankings on equal parts the weather and the force of nature that was Derrick Henry on Saturday night. Fournette will get the chance to climb back up the ranks when LSU finally gets its 2015 season started at Mississippi State this weekend.

7. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama

Preseason rank: 14

Note to opposing defenses: if you want to have any hope of slowing down Henry, you’d better get to him before he gets his 242 pounds headed north and south. Showing freakish speed for an athlete of his size, Henry gashed Wisconsin on Saturday, rushing 13 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 37 and 56 yards.

6. LT Cam Robinson, Alabama

Preseason rank: 9

Tasked with opening lanes for Henry and keeping the Crimson Tide passers clean, Robinson showed Saturday why he’s one of the highest-regarded offensive linemen college football. The sophomore left tackle helmed an Alabama offensive line that guided the Tide to 502 yards of total offense against Wisconsin.

5. LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

Preseason rank: 7

Floyd has proven to be the Bulldogs’ most multi-talented linebacker — which puts him on a short list of best all-around players at the position nationwide. The transition from outside to inside is off to a smooth start for the junior, who lined up all over the field and finished Saturday’s win over ULM with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and .5 sacks.

4. CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

Preseason rank: 4

Nothing we didn’t already know, but Hargreaves continues to be one of the best defenders in the country at any position. He set up a Florida touchdown in the third quarter with a 43-yard interception return and helped the Gators stymie the New Mexico State offense, which totaled just 200 yards of total offense Saturday. He also made an appearance on offense, snagging a screen pass, and had one punt return for 11 yards.

3. DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

Preseason rank: 3

Hargreaves wasn’t the only high-profile defender getting in on the offensive fun. Lined up a fullback, Nkemdiche caught a pass in the flats and roared down the sideline for a 31-yard touchdown in the Rebels’ blowout win over Tennessee-Martin. He also blocked a field goal and recorded three stops in about one half of action.

2. RB Nick Chubb, Georgia

Preseason rank: 2

Oh, goodness. Nick Chubb. Sure it was a Sun Belt opponent, but all the skills that made Chubb a superstar freshman were on full display in the Bulldogs’ dismantling of ULM: quick feet, good burst, and a center of gravity somewhere near the core of the Earth. He topped 100 yards for the ninth straight game, rushing for 120 and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

1. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Preseason rank: 1

Prescott wasn’t at his best against Southern Miss, completing 22 of 38, but he showed once again that he exemplifies what it means to be his team’s “most valuable player.” He had a hand in all three of the Bulldogs’ offensive touchdowns, passing for 237 yards and two scores and leading the Bulldogs in rushing with 72 yards and a score. The runners-up on this list are closing the gap, but if Prescott can come through with a similar performance when the difficulty is turned up a notch this weekend against LSU, he’ll solidify his hold on the top spot in our list.