Power Ranking the Heisman Contenders and Pretenders After Week 4
As the 2010 Heisman Trophy race rolls on, things have gotten screwy. Candidates who looked like locks to make the trip to New York have fallen by the wayside, while others have stepped to the fore.
With all of the chaos in college football this season, it can be tough to determine who's a legit candidate, and who's just a poser. That's where this list comes in. It brings you 20 names who have been bandied about during the course of the season as Heisman hopefuls, and tells you why you should see them as contenders, or pretenders.
How much do the struggles of Andrew Luck and Ryan Mallett impact their places this week? Does Terrelle Pryor have enough to make him a legit contender? Can Mark Ingram win the trophy again? Let's take a look.
Pretender 10: Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers
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Why He was In the Conversation: Devine rushed for 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season.
Why He Fell Out: Devine put on 40 pounds of muscle, but his speed didn't stick around this season. He's looked slow and non-dynamic at several points, and has been hurt by a vastly improved passing game. He's got 391 yards and two touchdowns in four games, not Heisman numbers by a long shot.
Can He Get Back In? Sure. Devine has some games left to show what he can do, but it's going to take some serious work to get himself back into the conversation.
Contender 10: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma Sooners
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Why He's In the Conversation: Broyles is arguably the best wideout in all of college football. His talents helped to soften the loss of quarterback Sam Bradford last season, and again in 2010. He racked up 1,120 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and 492 return yards in 2009.
Why He's Still Around: Broyles has averaged 10 catches per game, and has already racked up 492 receiving yards on the year.
How He Can Win It: It's pretty tough for wideouts to win the Heisman, but Broyles is on his way. If he can get some return yards on top of his 10 catches a game, he can easily take home the bronze man.
Pretender 9: Jacory Harris, QB, Miami Hurricanes
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Last year, Harris helped convince many pundits to put the Hurricanes just outside the top 10 in the 2010 preseason polls. He was an accurate passer, who figured to improve on his solid stats from last season.
What Went Wrong? Ohio State. Harris had a howler against the Buckeyes, throwing four interceptions on the day, as Miami fell hard.
Can He Get Back In? Doubtful. It's almost impossible to overcome a stinker like that one.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Contender 9: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
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Why He's In the Conversation: Luck's a big, strong, accurate passer who can make plays with his arm or his legs. He's intelligent, and put up decent numbers as a sophomore in 2009.
Why He's Still Around: Luck has racked up 912 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in just four games in 2010. He's given defenses fits, and avoided most of the mistakes that could cost him the trophy.
How He Could Win It: Don't have another game like Saturday. Luck threw for 238 yards and a touchdown at Notre Dame, but the Irish picked him off twice. The picks were both off deflections, so he gets a bit of a pass, but he cannot let that happen again if he wants the trophy.
Pretender 8: Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh Panthers
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Lewis was a Heisman favorite after his 2009 freshman campaign, in which he rushed for an NCAA high 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Why He's Out: 143 yards on 47 carries through three games in 2010 have the sophomore Lewis firmly on the pretender list. Perhaps his big season was a fluke, or perhaps he's still nursing the injury that kept him out of preseason exercises.
Can He Get Back In? No. He'd have to have stats closer to Devine's to have a chance.
Contender 8: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin Badgers
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Clay has been one of the nation's top backs since his freshman year, and this was supposed to be the year he announced his arrival to the rest of the country.
Why He's Still Around: Clay has yet to rush for fewer than 100 yards and a touchdown in any game this season. He's been one of the best backs in football again, and he's done it consistently week in and week out.
How He Can Win It: Have a huge game. People aren't talking about Clay because he gets his numbers by being really good week in and week out, rather than blowing up every other week. He needs a signature performance to get his name out there.
Pretender 7: Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Locker was a big, competitive, dual-threat quarterback who came to candidacy through his gutsy performances for a crappy Huskies team in 2008 and 2009.
What Went Wrong? Locker crapped the bed against Nebraska. He completed just four of 20 pass attempts for 71 yards and two picks.
Can He Get Back In? No. Not after the Nebraska debacle.
Contender 7: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon Ducks
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Why He's In the Conversation: James had a strong 2009 for Oregon, putting up 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Why He's Still Around: LaMichael's sophomore campaign has been even more successful than his freshman one. In three games since returning from suspension, he's totalled 475 rushing yards, and four touchdowns on just 58 carries, good enough for 8.2 yards per carry.
How He Can Win It: Keep doing what he's doing. If he's averaging 8.2 yards per carry all year, the Heisman committee will have to pick him.
Pretender 6: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State Seminoles
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Ponder, a senior at Florida State, has been as explosive a talent as there has been in college football over the last five years. If he could stay healthy for a full season, the thinking was, he could win himself a Heisman.
What Went Wrong? Oklahoma. Ponder threw for 113 yards and two interceptions against the Sooners, as the Seminoles got waxed, 47-17.
Can He Get Back In? No. Ponder's Heisman hopes went up in smoke in Norman.
Contender 6: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State Wildcats
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Why He's In the Conversation: Thomas had a strong 2009, but his 2010 had been even better.
Why He's Still Around: Thomas is the NCAA's second-leading rusher, as his 628 yards trail only Michigan's Denard Robinson. He's been the big reason why the Wildcats have opened the season at 4-0.
How He Can Win It: The Wildcats' non-conference schedule wasn't anything special. UCLA's defense allowed him 234 yards rushing, but to win the trophy, he's going to have to put up similar numbers against elite defenses.
Pretender 5: Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State Beavers
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Why He Was In the Conversation: The diminutive Rodgers was one of the most electric players in college football in 2009. He racked up 1,440 yards and 21 touchdowns, and helped the Beavers have one of their strongest seasons ever.
What Went Wrong: 2010 has not gone well for Rodgers or the Beavers. Jacquizz has just 253 yards and four touchdowns thus far, and has lacked some of his explosiveness from previous seasons.
Can He Get Back In? Maybe. But he has to have huge games from this weekend forward. If he struggles even one week, he's gone for good.
Contender 5: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State Broncos
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Why He's In the Conversation: The Boise State Broncos are ranked third in the nation, and Moore's a big reason why. The junior lefty's one of the best quarterbacks in the country, with a strong arm, good mobility, and excellent accuracy.
Why He's Still Around: Moore has yet to have a bad game in 2010, racking up 873 yards, eight touchdowns, and throwing just one interception. He started the year as a darkhorse candidate, but has moved firmly into the mainstream.
How He Can Win It: Moore cannot have any mistakes. He hasn't made any, but he's at a non-BCS school, which means he has to be perfect to win the award.
Pretender 4: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas Razorbacks
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Why He's In the Conversation: Mallett has a massive arm and the accuracy to put it to good use in Arkansas. He threw for 3,627 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2009, and was a popular pick to win the Heisman in 2010.
What Went Wrong: Mallett's candidacy is hanging by a thread after the choke job he pulled against Alabama on Saturday. After coming out and looking sharp in the first half, he struggled as the Crimson Tide mounted their successful comeback. He's still the NCAA leader in passing yards, and has thrown 10 touchdown passes, which is why he's still in the conversation.
Can He Get Back In? Yes. If Mallett wants the Heisman, he cannot throw another interception this year. If he does, his candidacy draws to an abrupt close.
Contender 4: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma Sooners
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Why He's In the Conversation: Murray's got the talent to be an excellent running back, but prior to this year, the Sooners preferred to throw the ball. With Sam Bradford gone, it's Murray's chance to shine.
Why He's Still Around: Through four games, Murray hasn't disappointed yet. His 436 rush yards, 111 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns make him a popular pick to win the Heisman.
How He Can Win It: Make plays. Murray needs to keep making plays, and hit a couple huge runs, to give him a leg up this season. It's going to be tough, what with Broyles needing the football. But he can get it done.
Pretender 3: Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa Hawkeyes
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Why He Was In the Conversation: America fell in love with Stanzi's gunslinger ways during the 2009 season, when he led Iowa to numerous fourth-quarter comebacks. The thinking was, if he could cut down on interceptions, he'd be a Heisman lock.
What Went Wrong? The Hawkeyes lost to Arizona, even with Ricky at the helm not turning the ball over. When that happened, some of his magic wore off for voters.
Can He Get Back In It? Yes. All he has to do is not lose another game this season (including the Ohio State game). If he can lead his team to victory in another big moment, rest assured that his heroics will get him back in the running.
Contender 3: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
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Why He's In the Conversation: Ingram won the award as a sophomore, and remains one of college football's best backs.
Why He's Still Around: He's got 308 yards and five touchdowns on just 33 carries this season. Why do you think he's still around?
How He Can Win It: Because Ingram shares the ball with backfield partner Trent Richardson, he has to maximize his opportunities. That means big runs, big plays, and receptions out of the backfield.
Pretender 2: Andrew Dalton, QB, TCU Horned Frogs
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Dalton's leadership, arm and mobility made him a popular darkhorse candidate heading into 2010.
What Went Wrong: Dalton's thrown four interceptions in four games, while throwing just five touchdown passes. Those aren't Heisman-caliber ratios.
Can He Get Back In? Doubtful. Dalton would have to be flawless from here on out, and he hasn't shown he can do that yet. Maybe next year.
Contender 2: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes
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Why He's In the Conversation: This is the year he puts it all together, the media said. Terrelle Pryor would do it; he'd become the quarterback people envisioned when he came to Ohio State.
Why He's Still Around: Through four games, Pryor has been a revelation. He's thrown for 939 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions. Add to that his 263 rushing yards and two scores, and you've got a lock to be at the ceremony in New York.
How He Can Win It: Beat. Michigan. If Pryor beats the Wolverines and has a good game, the trophy's as good as his.
Pretender 1: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
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Why He Was In the Conversation: Jones was supposed to be the latest in a long line of successful Sooner quarterbacks under Bob Stoops. With his arm, Landry was going to set records, and was a preseason Heisman possibility.
What Went Wrong: Which Jones is the real one? The one who torched Florida State and Cincinnati, or the one who struggled against Utah State and Air Force? He's put up a ton of yards, but he needs to be consistent before he can be the Heisman winner.
Can He Get Back In? Definitely. If the Sooners can beat Texas on Saturday, and Jones has a good game, he'll be right back up in the top five candidates. But for now, color me unconvinced.
Contender 1: Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan Wolverines
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Why He's In the Conversation: Robinson has been epic this season, easily the best and most exciting player in football through four weeks.
Why He's Still Around: Robinson leads all rushers in college football with 688 yards, and has thrown for 731 yards and four touchdowns. How's that for a Heisman candidate?
How He Can Win It: Stay healthy. Robinson's got a strained knee ligament as of Saturday's game against Bowling Green. If he can play this week, and the rest of the season, without getting hurt, he'll win the trophy going away.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
