Arkansas Football: Is Ryan Mallett The Heisman Front-Runner After Week One?

Ryan Mallett put his name higher on the Heisman list in week one of the college football season. The first week of college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks is over, and it was an amazing success story. The Hogs trounced the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles by a final score of 44-3. The opponent is considered a “cupcake” team by many college football fans, but the game provided a snapshot of why Razorback fans are so excited about the 2010 season.

Game Stats

Mallett led an efficient offense that scored at will and posted 519 total yards.

Mallett was responsible for 301 yards of that total offense. In fact Mallett played nearly a flawless game. He completed 87.5 percent of his passes and added three touchdowns in the game. His only mistake was an interception that was tipped by Joe Adams right to a defender.

The Hogs have had problems with tipped passes all throughout the spring practices and it will be an area they will have to work on as the season continues, but it was a pass that Mallet should not have thrown.

Near Perfection

That one mistake is forgivable when you realize just how accurate he was in this game. He completed 21 of 24 passes and that is amazing on any level against any kind of defense. In fact he only had one true incomplete pass, as the interception was tipped, and another one of his passes was dropped.

As far as quarterbacks go Mallett just put his name on top of the Heisman list after week one.

Other Heisman Hopefuls

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 2: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back in the pocket against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

When looking at some of the other preseason Heisman candidate’s it’s possible to make a case for Mallett in the Heisman race.

Houston’s quarterback Case Keenum led his team to a 68-28 victory over Texas St, throwing five touchdowns along the way. However he had two interceptions, threw for less yards (274), and a lower completion percentage (77.3).

The current favorite, Terrelle Pryor of Ohio St. made his case by defeating Marshall 45-7.  He did not throw any interceptions on the night and had three touchdowns. He threw for fewer yards (247) and had a lower completion percentage (68). Pryor did gain 17 yards running the ball and that could be an X-factor that could give him the edge later in the year. (Mallet rushed three times for zero yards).

Heisman Odds

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansa Razorbacks throws a pass over Rahim Alem #84 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Ge

The Oddsmakers at Brobury Sports seem to agree that Mallett’s performance is Heisman worthy.

In the preseason Mallett was a 12-1 to win the trophy and he is now listed at 10-1.

Pryor still remains the favorite at 6.5 to 1 and Keenum is listed at 11 to 1.

Quaterback of Boise St Kellen Moore would make a serious course for his nomination if he has a great performance against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Currently Moore is at 12 to 1 to win the trophy.

It's Going To Be A Great Race!

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: The Heisman trophy awarded to Running back Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at a press conference after he was named the 75th Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo

It is just one week of college football and the Heisman will not be won or lost at this point in the season. However Ryan Mallett gave Arkansas fans reason to be excited about his potential to make this one of the most successful Razorback teams in a long time, and if that happens he will have a shot at being the Heisman Trophy winner.

~Matt Regaw is head writer and CEO of Bookie Blitz!