College Football Heisman Race: Week 12

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. (1) Mark Ingram: RB, Alabama

In what was kind of a week off for many of the top contenders, Ingram was rewarded with a very relaxing game against Chattanooga. The nation's fourth-leading rusher carried the ball only 11 times but found the end zone twice while piling up 102 yards.

He's still averaging a very impressive 6.8 yards per carry and has 1,399 yards and 14 TDs on the season. If he can put on another solid performance in the SEC championship game, the award might just be his.

2. (2) Tim Tebow: QB, Florida

The game against Florida International couldn't have come at a better time for Tebow. He's been hanging on all season on name alone, never really putting together the season that people expected from him, and then comes a stat-padding game. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 215 yards and two TDs, while also rushing for 102 yards and another TD on the ground.

It's just another game that the media and committee can point to in justifying why he will be given an invite.

3. (3) Colt McCoy: QB, Texas

McCoy actually played the toughest team of the top four contenders and put on quite a display. He missed on only nine passes, completing 32 of 41 for 396 yards and four TDs against a down but still solid Kansas team. It bumped McCoy up to ninth in the nation with 3,024 yards passing and also gave him 23 TD passes, which is good for ninth as well.

He'll have a couple more games to pad his stats before his bowl game challenge, but after winning an NCAA record 43rd game, they may look to reward him for his career accomplishments.

4. (4) Kellen Moore: QB, Boise State

Moore was hurt a little bit this week by Boise's ability to run at will, but he also suffered from some uncharacteristic accuracy problems as well. He completed only 15 of 29 passes for 233 yards and a TD.

He's had a great season throwing the ball, second only to Case Keenum in TDs through the air with 33, but his yardage totals are going to hurt him in the final argument. His 2,791 yards put him 19th in the nation and the lowest of any of the QBs in contention not named Tim Tebow.

5. (9) Toby Gerhart: RB, Stanford

This truly was a bittersweet weekend for Gerhart. His Cardinal lost a game to Cal, without Jahvid Best, and likely lost any chance to play in the Rose Bowl. It also dropped them from the rankings, which will make it even harder for him to win the Heisman Trophy.

However, against a ranked team, his performance spoke for itself again. He took 20 carries for 136 yards and four TDs on the day. It put him second in the nation with 1,531 yards and well ahead of the competition with 23 rushing TDs.

If Stanford can finish the season ranked, it would make it a lot easier for the committee to justify an invite.

6. (5) C.J. Spiller: RB, Clemson

What a missed opportunity for Spiller. The top contenders all had easy games, including Spiller, whose Tigers took on a weak Virginia team, only Spiller was unable to deliver his usual fireworks. Carrying the ball 19 times, he was only able to gain 58 yards and one TD, while adding another 39 yards on the ground.

With most of the big boys putting up impressive numbers, it wasn't the time for Spiller to have a down week.

7. (6) Case Keenum: QB, Houston

It says a little something about what committee and poll members think of your team when you dominate an opponent and still drop in the rankings. The lack of respect for Houston is going to be the biggest obstacle for Keenum to overcome.

On production alone, he's the clear winner. He added anther great week this Saturday, completing 29 or 39 passes for 405 yards and five TDs. It gave him 36 TDs and 4,599 yards on the season, both good for tops in the nation.

8. (7) Dion Lewis: RB, Pittsburgh

The Panthers had the week off, so Lewis' talents weren't on display, but the freshman has proved himself throughout the season. He's ninth in the nation with 1,291 yards and running at a 5.8 yard per carry clip, higher than Gerhart.

With Pittsburgh facing some stiff tests in the coming weeks, it will really be a chance for him to step up.

9. (10) Jacquizz Rodgers: RB, Oregon State

The poor man's C.J. Spiller outshone his older role model this week in Oregon State's victory. Rodgers carried the ball 24 times for 165 yards and two TDs, while adding six catches for 35 yards through the air. The effort put him sixth in the nation with 1,313 yards, while also giving him his 19th touchdown of the season.

He won't get the invite because Oregon State is only now starting to garner national attention, but he's a clear front-runner for next season.

10. (8) Jimmy Clausen: QB, Notre Dame

How Jimmy has fallen in recent weeks—and not a whole lot of it really has to do with his own play. But you just don't win the Heisman Trophy when you're on a 6-5 team.

The blond surfer kid had another strong performance in the loss to UConn, completing 30 of 45 passes for 329 yards and two TDs. But his team has let him down when it's mattered the most for his Heisman chances.

Dropped out: Nobody