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Each week, I'll break down who I think are the top 10 contenders for the Heisman and let you know who may have fallen out of contention.
I base my rankings on what the Heisman Committee tends to value when honoring its winner, so I'll be ranking based on what I think the committee is considering. (Previous rankings are in parentheses).
1. (2) Mark Ingram- RB, Alabama
Ingram is making his case to be the first member of the Crimson Tide to ever take home the statue. He's fifth in the nation in rushing, with 1,148 yards (6.8 ypc) and eight TDs, but what makes him stand out is his performance in big games.
This past week against the ninth ranked LSU Tigers and their stingy defense, he was able to bang out 144 yards on the ground and other 30 through the air.
Against the other Top 25 teams he's faced this year, he's been equally as impressive. He went for 150 and a TD against Virginia Tech, 172 and a TD against Ole Miss and 246 and a TD against South Carolina. Stepping it up when it matters most is a good way to earn the trophy.
2. (1) Tim Tebow- QB, Florida
Tebow has been cruising along on his name for most of the season, and while it's led to some unimpressive performances, it has him positioned pretty nicely for the final push. I truly believe that the Heisman winner may very well be decided in the Bama-Florida SC Championship game.
Tebow was solid, but not spectacular against a bad Vandy team, going 15-20 for 208 yards and a TD through the air and adding another TD on the ground even though he averaged less than two yards per carry on 16 attempts.
3. (4) Colt McCoy- QB, Texas
This is now the time of year when Colt gets to pad his stats. With Texas seeing no strong competition until it's likely birth in the championship game, Colt is looking to ride the wave straight to the trophy.
Against UCF last week, he threw for 452 yards and two TDs, while missing on less than 10 passes. If Texas secures its birth in the National Championship game, it might be hard to pry that trophy from Colt's fingers.
4. (6) Case Keenum- QB, Houston
There are certain things the committee likes to reward when it delivers the Heisman. One, is leading an elite team. Two, is stepping it up in big games, and three, is coming through in crunch time. Keenum may only be on a strong team, but he sure has the last two qualities in excess.
He delivered Houston to another, miraculous, come from behind victory this past week, throwing for 522 yards and three TDs. On the season, he has 3,815 yards (almost 1,000 more than the second passer!) and 28 TDs. It's gonna be hard for the committee to not extend him an invite.
5. (3) Jimmy Clausen- QB, Notre Dame
What a heart-breaking loss for Clausen's Heisman hopes. Notre Dame wasn't getting a lot of respect in the polls as it was, but a loss to Navy and a likely non-BCS bowl is not going to help matters. To be clear, the loss was certainly not on Clausen, who threw for 452 yards and two TDs, to go along with one interception.
He has the same two qualities working for him that Keenum has, but Notre Dame might find itself outside of the Top 25 by seasons end and that's going to make it tough for Jimmy to find an invitation in his mailbox.
6. (5) Kellen Moore- QB, Boise State
The lefty helped Boise State survive quite the upset bid this week against a sub-par Louisiana Tech team. By going 28-41 for 354 yards and three TDs, Moore kept the Broncos firmly in the BCS picture, and helped his Heisman chances in the process.
He's 26th in the nation with 2,259 yards, but is second in the nation with 27 TDs, behind only the aforementioned Keenum. Its not likely going to be enough for him to take home the trophy, but it might be enough to secure an invite.
7. (7) Dion Lewis- RB, Pittsburgh
The last Freshman left standing. Pitt still has some tough games ahead of them, but if they, and Lewis, can prove to be for real against stiff competition, he might just be able to scamper on to NYC. After posting another 100 yard game last week (18 carries, 110 and a TD), Lewis is now seventh in the nation with 1,139 yards to go along with 12 rushing touchdowns.
On a BCS-bowl team, that's going to catch some eyes.
8. (NR) Andy Dalton- QB, TCU
For years, TCU has hung its hat on defense, and while they still pack a punch on that side of the ball, Dalton has definitely lightened their load. He's only 46h in the nation in passing yards with 1,881, but this week showed exactly why he is such a dynamic player: he can make plays in so many different ways, while limiting his own mistakes.
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