Andrew Luck’s seat atop the Heisman rankings is certainly heating up. After his Cardinal’s lopsided defeat at the hands of conference-rival Oregon (for the second-straight year, nonetheless), the senior’s tight grip on the top spot is considerably looser. Big performances from both Brandon Weeden and Case Keenum have vaulted each into consideration for the top spot, and with two weeks remaining, it is sure to be a close battle for coveted trophy.
Heisman Watch
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Despite a second-consecutive loss at the hands (wings?) of the rival Ducks, the Stanford senior remains the favorite to take home the coveted Heisman in December. Luck certainly did not play poorly, passing for 271 yards and three scores, but his two picks proved to be costly for the Cardinal. He is still the consensus top NFL Draft prospect, but lackluster performances in the past few weeks are certainly not helping his stock.
Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
Weeden and Oklahoma State came out firing on all cylinders Saturday, dismantling a motivated Texas Tech squad en route to a 42-point halftime lead. The 28-year-old completed 31 of 37 passes for 423 yards and five scores. Weeden’s 3,635 yards and 31 touchdown passes both rank second in the country and his 164.2 rating places him in the top ten. The undefeated Cowboys face off against Iowa State this weekend and cannot afford to look ahead to their huge showdown with fifth-ranked Oklahoma December 3rd.
Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Another game, another offensive outburst for Keenum and his Cougars. Undefeated Houston routed conference foe Tulane 73-17, behind 325 yards and three touchdowns from its star quarterback. Keenum is tops in the country in both yards (3,951) and touchdown passes (37) despite sitting the fourth quarter of several games this season. As is always the case with a non-AQ quarterback, Houston’s weak schedule hinders Keenum’s Heisman hopes, but with a couple more big-time statistical performances, the voters are sure to give the senior some serious consideration.
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
In the Tide’s 24-7 victory over Mississippi State, Richardson carried the brunt of the offensive burden, carrying the ball 32 times for 127 yards and one score. Like Luck, Richardson’s numbers are not all that spectacular (1205 yards, 18TDs), but his reputation as a leader and hard-nosed runner for one of the nation’s best teams is more than enough to keep his Heisman hopes afloat. Richardson and Alabama face undermatched Georgia Southern this weekend, a chance for the junior to put up some big numbers against a less-than-formidable defense.
Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
Ball began last year as the Badgers’ third-string running back, but after an impressive 2010 campaign and a great offseason in which he shed over 20 pounds, the junior has the Badgers in position to play for the Big Ten Championship and potentially a Rose Bowl berth. The 5’11” Ball rushed for 166 yards on 23 carries, tacking on three touchdowns (one receiving) to add to his nation-leading total (23). His 27 combined touchdowns are already a Big Ten record, and with at least three games remaining, he can only add to the total. Ball also ranks in the top five in rushing yards (1,242), which is especially impressive considering sophomore James White receives several carries per game as well.
On the Outside Looking In:
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Closer Look: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Wilson leads the nation in rushing yards (1,360) and carries most of the offensive workload for the eighth-ranked Hokies. However, despite his production, the junior only has seven touchdowns to show for it. Wilson has failed to rush for less than 120 yards just once this season and is looking to carry 9-1 Virginia Tech to a BCS bowl game. With contests against unranked North Carolina and Virginia in the final two weeks, the Hokies appear to be well on their way to achieving this goal.
