Hello, Mr. Heisman: Top 10 Heisman Trophy Hopefuls
Another week in college football is complete. We have seen a few individuals who are making their case as Heisman contenders.
It may be too early to tell but it looks as though this could be the year of the quarterback.
After three weeks of play here is a look at the top 10 favorites to win the 76th annual Heisman award.
Just Missed The List
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Here are a few Heisman contenders just outside the top 10:
M. Barkley (QB), USC—9 passing TDs, 651 passing yards, 217 yds/G, 114.7 QBRtg
T. Richardson (RB) Alabama—271 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 101 RecYds
C. Kapernick (QB) Nevada—728 passing yards, 5 passing TDs, 369 rush yards, 7 rushing TDs
D. Thomas (RB) Kansas St.—552 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs, 184 rush yds/G, 15 RecYds
G. McElroy (QB) Alabama—705 passing yards, 6 passing TDs, 235 yds/G, 137.2 QBRtg
10. Justin Blackmon
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Blackmon is the top receiver in an explosive Oklahoma State offense. He leads the nation with eight receiving touchdowns, 431 yards and 143 yds/G.
Blackmon scored three touchdowns in two of the three games he’s played this season and had two touchdowns in the other.
Receivers generally do not win the award, but if Blackmon keeps putting up numbers like this, he’ll be hard to ignore.
9. Kellen Moore
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Moore has been great in his two outings this season. His stats are a bit misleading and don’t quite do his on-the-field production justice.
In the season opener, Moore was 23-of-38 for 215 yards and threw for three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
His best drive was the last of the game where he led his team downfield and threw the game-winning touchdown.
Moore only has one or two more chances to make an impact on a big stage. Those will come in games against Oregon State and Nevada.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8. Landry Jones
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The Utah State game was a mediocre performance, but Oklahoma escaped with the win.
Against Florida State, Jones went 30-of-40 throwing for 380 yards and four touchdowns. He was calm, cool and poised as he sat back and lit up a highly regarded Seminoles team.
In the Sooners last outing against Air Force, Jones was 26-of-42 and 254 yards with one score.
His composure in close games and strong arm might lead Oklahoma back to the BCS title game and earn him the Heisman trophy.
7. Mark Ingram
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Ingram made a huge splash in his 2010 debut. The opponent was an overmatched Duke team but Ingram was unbelievable nonetheless.
He did not resemble a running back coming off of knee surgery.
Ingram looked more like the Heisman trophy winner from last season with 151 yards on nine carries. Ingram looks like a man on a mission.
6. Kendall Hunter
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Hunter is the second Oklahoma State player to make the list. The senior running back is having a year to remember.
He posted 257 yards rushing in the first game of the season and had four touchdowns.
Hunter averages 157.7 yds/G which is the fourth highest per game total in the nation.
His 473 yards rushing and six touchdowns have helped Oklahoma State to a 3-0 record.
5. LaMichael James
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James has only played in two of Oregon’s first three games but he’s been brilliant. He had a run for the ages last week against Tennessee.
James finished that game with 134 yards on 16 carries and one score.
Against Portland State he carried only 14 times but had 227 yards. James has a ridiculous average of 12.6 yards per carry.
Next up for the high powered Ducks is a trip to Tempe to play the Arizona State Sun Devils in their Pac-10 opener.
4. Andrew Luck
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No longer the whipping boys of the Pac-10, the Stanford Cardinal are for real.
Stanford has luck on its side, as in their sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns and has yet to turn the ball over this season.
Luck has also been a force in the rushing game with 140 yards and a score. He has a pair of four touchdown games and was brilliant in a shutout victory of UCLA.
Luck has led Stanford to a 3-0 record and the Cardinal look like they will compete for the Pac-10 title.
3. Terrelle Pryor
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Pryor has proven to be a true dual threat quarterback this season. In the biggest game of the season against Miami, Pryor threw for 233 yards and a score and ran for 113 and another score.
At times he has struggled with turnovers but makes big plays when they matter most.
With 715 yards passing and 165 yards rushing, Pryor is keeping defenses off balance with both his arms and his legs.
Ohio State is currently ranked No. 2 in the polls and if they can stay there, Pryor should find himself sitting in New York for the Heisman ceremony.
2. Ryan Mallett
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Mallet is looking more like a first-round draft pick come next April’s draft. For the time being, he is a Heisman dark horse.
Mallet leads the NCAA in passing yards (1,481), passing touchdowns (12), and yards per game (370.2).
In the SEC opener, Mallett threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Georgia.
Mallett will face his stiffest test of the season next week against the defending national champions the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Should Mallett lead his team to a victory, he would unquestionably become the Heisman leader. Even a good showing in a loss would keep him at the front of the race.
1. Denard Robinson
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Was there any doubt? All Denard Robinson has done is break records, pull off last-second victories and lead Michigan back into the top 25 for the first time in two seasons.
Robinson leads the nation in rushing yards with 559 and has four rushing touchdowns. He has thrown for 671 yards and four touchdowns and has a completion percentage just under 70 percent.
Robinson’s best game came a week ago against Notre Dame. He had an 87-yard touchdown run and over 200 yards rushing and passing.
The schedule is more daunting down the stretch, but for the time being, Robinson is the best player in the nation.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
