College Football Heisman Race: Week 14

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) Colt McCoy: QB, Texas

This might not be a popular choice, but I think Colt will win the trophy. The committee has shown over the years that it has no problem honoring a player and not the specific year that the player has put together. Colt is the NCAA's winningest QB of all time, but has yet to win the big award. That will factor prominently into how the voting works. He struggled mightily against Nebraska's stout defense, but has had a solid year. He's sixth in the nation with 3,512 yards passing, to go along with 27 passing TDs, 348 yards rushing, and three additional TDs on the ground. But it's his four-year body of work that will win him the award.

2. (2) Mark Ingram: RB, Alabama

If I had a vote, this is who I would cast it for. Ingram showed up in the biggest game of the season and proved his merit. He received 28 carries for 113 yards and three TDs, and added 76 yards in the air. He was quick, tough to tackle, and made the big plays. He finishes his campaign as the nation's fifth leading rusher, with 1,542 yards (6.2 YPC) and 15 TDs. He certainly deserves the trophy; I just think he gets beat out by the political side of the NCAA.

3. (4) Toby Gerhart: RB, Stanford

I think Gerhart can thank Ingram for helping him get an invite to NYC. With Bama rolling all over Florida, the committee can no longer let Tebow fly by because he is the leader of the top team in the nation. Gerhart has proven to be one of the nation's elite players and a true fan favorite, and he will get rewarded for his incredible play. He finishes the season as the nation's leading rusher with 1,736 yards (5.6 YPC) and an astounding 26 TDs. He won't win the award, but he should be honored with the nomination.

4. (7) CJ Spiller: RB, Clemson

Nobody did more to help himself in the final week than Spiller. If it hadn't been for his awful showing last weekend, he might have a chance at the award. With the ACC title on the line, Spiller shredded Georgia Tech on 20 carries for 233 yards and four TDs. While he only ranks 28th in the nation in rushing yards, it's his versatility that makes him so effective. He finishes his campaign with 1,145 yards (5.7 YPC), 445 receiving yards, and 15 total TDs (16 with his return ones added in as well).

5. (3) Tim Tebow: QB, Florida

Tebow had a shot to claim the trophy despite a pretty mediocre year by his own standards, but he fell short when asked to lead his team again. With Alabama forcing Tebow to beat them with his arm, the lefty showed some of the flaws that have NFL scouts wondering if he can play QB. He finishes his campaign with 2,413 yards passing, 859 yards on the ground, and 31 total TDs. He will surely go down as one of the most dominant college QBs ever, but he won't win two Heismans.

6. (5) Kellen Moore: QB, Boise State

Moore can do a lot to gain respect from the college football world and announce his presence as a front-runner for the 2010 award when he faces TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. The lefty wasn't asked to do a lot against New Mexico State, throwing for 272 yards and a TD. He finishes the regular season 10th in the nation in passing with 3,325 yards and second to only Keenum with 39 passing TDs.

7. (6) Case Keenum: QB, Houston

His candidacy was certainly hampered by the Houston defense and their inability to stop even the most pedestrian of opponents. But if we're being picky, he also probably wouldn't have been asked to pass as much if he didn't need so many points to win games. As it finishes, he ends the season with staggering numbers. He totaled 5,449 yards through the air (first in the nation by almost 1,600), to go along with 43 passing TDs. A truly incredible effort.

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

Watching Rodgers and James trade shots in the Pac-10 title game was one of the true pleasures this season. James clearly won the individual battle, but the season effort by Rodgers has been a true testament to his versatility. He ranks 13th in the nation with 1,377 yards on the ground, while adding 509 yards through the air and crossing the goal line 21 times on the season.

9. (NR) LaMichael James: RB, Oregon

James and Rodgers will certainly be two of the leaders in next year's Heisman campaign. And to think that James wasn't even supposed to see much action this year behind Blount. What a difference a punch makes. James shredded Oregon State for 166 yards and three TDs to win the Pac-10 crown on Thursday night. He finished seventh in the nation with 1,476 yards and 14 TDs, but might need to do more damage through the air to get ahead of Rodgers in next year's campaign.

10. (8) Andy Dalton: QB, TCU

Watching Dalton battle Moore in the Fiesta Bowl is going to be one of the best experiences a college football fan can ask for. The Junior finished off an incredible regular season, throwing for 2,484 yards and 22 TDs, with only 5 INTs. He also added 522 yards and three TDs on the ground, and with TCU's success, would be a better candidate than Tebow if name recognition didn't mean so much in this voting.

Dropped out: (10) Clausen