Heisman Banter : Who's The Legit Front-Runner?

The College Football season is drawing to a close, Bowl match-ups are becoming clearer week by week, but what about the Heisman Trophy?

There's a handful of names that are vying for College Football's most coveted honor, but who's in the driver's seat with just over a month left?

Sam Bradford, the 2008 winner, has endured unfortunate injuries this year that have slighted his career and efforts to repeat at the Heisman Trophy winner.

Sam was a preseason favorite, but the shoulder injury withdrew his name from the list of Heisman hopefuls.

Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow (2007 Heisman), and Mark Ingram have all had their names thrown into the mix by the college football media in the last three or four weeks.

Is it safe to say that one of these big name players from big name schools are a lock to win? Or do guys like Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen have a chance?

What about Houston's stud quarterback Casey Keenum?
Alabama's Mark Ingram is gaining ground every Saturday, is he even on the radar?

Each one of the aforementioned players are in the top five in most polls/rankings, but I'll take the time to rank each one according to statistics, quality of team, and overall performances.

5. Tim Tebow: Quarterback, Florida Gators

Tim Tebow is cementing his name as one of the greatest college football players in recent memory.

His dominance over the last three years will be tough for anyone to hold a candle to. Tim is a talent rarely seen, and has been a top notch competitor for each of the last three seasons.

Tim Tebow recently broke the SEC's record of most rushing touchdowns, held by Herschel Walker (UGA,RB), AGAINST the Bulldogs at that.

Tim has his Gators hot in pursuit for another National Title, and is doing it without key offensive weapons like Percy Harvin.

The Gators are 8-0, number 1 in the Harris, BCS, and Coaches polls, and aren't showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. The Gators take on Vandy this Saturday, a game in which Tebow will have a chance to "pad" those numbers.

"Superman" has thrown for 10 touchdowns on the year, and took eight in himself.

Tebow's amassed over 1,300 yards passing, and 500 yards on the ground. Tim's completing passes at just under 65%, and his leadership qualities are uncanny. Whatever your opinion is on Tebow, you can't deny the man's numbers.

The world is waiting to see if Mark Ingram and his Crimson Tide will be the Kryptonite to Tebow's Gators. Tim was endowed the Heisman honor in 2007, could he do the "Archie" and win it twice?

4.) Colt McCoy: Quarterback, Texas Longhorns

Many Heisman pundits figured Colt a shoo-in last year to win the Heisman. It didn't happen. Colt completed nearly 75 percent of his passes, threw for almost 4,000 yards, and hooked up with his receivers for 34 touchdowns.

Colt's astronomical numbers didn't help his cause last year, as Sam Bradford from rival Oklahoma took the Heisman home.

The Longhorns aren't the same team they were last year, suffering vital losses on defense. That's not keeping the Longhorns from brandishing that prolific offense, however.

The 'Horns are ranked No. 2 in both the Harris and Coaches poll, but more importantly are 3rd in the BCS, posting an unblemished 8-0 mark.

Fresh off a Cowpoke beatdown, Colt McCoy is back in the thick of things when it comes to the Heisman discussion.

Colt's passed for just a hair below 2,000 yards, connecting for 15 touchdowns, and has a stout passer rating of 144.57 and is groomed to play on Sundays.

McCoy may not have the numbers he had compared to last year, but he's no slouch in 2009.

3.) Case Keenum: Quarterback, Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are 7-1, and ranked 15th in the BCS. Why isn't America paying much attention to these guys?

The Cougars shocked the Oklahoma State Cowboys early in the season with a 45-35 victory, a game where Keenum lit the Pokes secondary on fire with 366 yards and three touchdowns!

Case Keenum has notched two, count 'em two 500+ yard games on the year.

Let's not forget to mention his lesser performances of only 300 and 400 yard efforts as well. He leads the nation with over 400 passing yards per game.

Over 3,200 yards later, 25 touchdowns, and a 7-1 record, this guy's got as good as chance as anybody. The Houston Cougars are an elite team in Conference USA, but that's just it, they're in the CUSA. I'd be a liar if I said that doesn't weigh in on Heisman voters, because it does.

Case's numbers are mind-boggling, absurd, insane, however you want to describe Keenum, he's just flat out GOOD.

2.) Jimmy Clausen: Quarterback, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Jimmy "Tossin" Clausen, Notre Dame's signal calling prodigy. Clausen is an NFL ready, strong armed candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2009.

Clausen's Irish have had an up and down year, but are currently 22nd in the BCS with a 6-2 record.

Jimmy led the Irish to a impressive come from behind win against Michigan State, and has shown critics that arm is NFL worthy.

Clausen has produced game in game out, and his leadership skills have come to the forefront in recent weeks.

Jimmy has thrown just two picks on the year (miscues due to receivers), 18 touchdowns, and eclipsed the 2,000 yard plateau (2,318 to be exact).

The Junior has proven that he has what it takes to be effective on the next level, and is believed by many analysts to be the top QB taken in next year's draft, should he leave.

Jimmy has posted three 300+ yard efforts, and threw for over 400 yards against the Washington Huskies in a shootout win.

Clausen will go down as one of the all time great Irish quarterbacks, and should be on everyone's list come Heisman voting time.

The attributes needed to be a successful NFL quarterback are evident in Clausen, who will play Navy this Saturday.

1.) MARK INGRAM, RUNNING-BACK, ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

This man needs no introduction what so ever. Mark Ingram, the Sophomore running back out of Flint, Michigan was born to run.

Ingram has everyone's eyes glued to his every move, and is the most electrifying player in college football today.

The Crimson Tide are road tested and seeking a National Title. The SEC Championship game against Florida will determine the Tide's BCS Championship fate, while Ingram will show the nation his pudding's main ingredient is the PROOF.

Mark ran for 246 yards against the GameCocks on Oct. 17, grasping the attention of viewers nationwide. Ingram has rushed for over 1,000 yards with 8 touchdowns, but he's much more versatile than most running backs. Ingram can take it to the house via reception, and he's done it five times so far in '09.

13 touchdowns and 1,200 all purpose yards have gained the attention of even the most critical analysts.

The Tide are rollin' at No. 3 in the BCS at 8-0 and have trampled nearly every opponent. Alabama's perfect season suffered a close call in Tennessee, but they found a way to win.

Cody's blocked FG's were the difference, and the Tide remained unscaved in the loss column.

Mark is averaging 6.6 yards a carry on just 153 touches. He's only lost one fumble on the year, and is in full command of the spotlight in big games. 150 yards against Virginia Tech in week one, 246 against a solid South Carolina bunch...

Do you taste the PROOF in THAT pudding?