Heisman Trophy Watch 2010: Did Roy Helu Jr. Make Us Forget Cam Newton?
As the college football season continues, the Heisman Trophy debate will undoubtedly increase in intensity. It does every year. Pundits and experts will yell, scream, make logical arguments and do anything to proclaim who the next Heisman winner should and will be. Every game will take on greater significance for the contenders (as if they don't have enough to worry about, like trying to win a championship for example). These contenders will likely be swarmed on college campuses, swarmed off college campuses and swarmed when they're sleeping.
To add fuel to the fire, here are my Top 15 Heisman contenders for the 2010 season. Let the debate begin.
15. Roy Helu Jr.
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Did Roy Helu Jr. make us forget Cam Newton? In a word...no.
But the senior running back sure led the No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers over No. 7 Missouri Saturday, setting a school record with 307 yards on 28 carries. He had touchdown runs of 66, 73 and 53 yards in the game, and netted 228 yards on just his first 10 carries.
This was Helu's first game with over 19 carries. After steamrolling through Missouri Saturday, you can bet Nebraska will be using him a whole lot more the rest of the season. That bodes well for him.
Congratulations Helu. You weren't on the Heisman radar before Saturday, but one unbelievable performance has instantly thrust you in the discussion.
14. Ricky Stanzi
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It's safe to say Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi has been impressive for the Hawkeyes this season. He's been the symbol of accuracy and consistency all season long, and he didn't stop against Michigan State Saturday, going 11-for-15 for 190 yards and three TDs.
Stanzi has 2,883 yards passing in eight games this season, along with 29 touchdowns to three interceptions.
His team lost to Wisconsin last week by one point, but it wasn't because of him: he's been flat-out on fire this year.
Stanzi plays Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State and Minnesota to end the season.
13. Justin Blackmon
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Off the field, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon isn't looking too hot, with a DUI arrest leading to his suspension against Kansas State this past week.
But on the field is a different story. Blackmon has been the picture of a dominant receiver this season, with over 1,000 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns in just seven games (OSU went 6-1 in these games).
He hasn't had one game under 125 yards receiving and has scored in every game, multiple times in five of them.
No cornerback wants to face this guy.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
12. DeMarco Murray
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The senior Oklahoma running back has been a point of stability for the Sooners to lean on this season. Not every game has been jaw-dropping, but he's helped lead the Sooners to a 7-1 record.
He can also beat you in more ways than one. Against Colorado Saturday, Murray rushed for his lowest yardage all season, with 40 yards. But he had 10 catches for 73 yards. He always is a receiving threat out of the backfield.
I also think Murray will impress people in the final four weeks of the season against the likes of Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor and Oklahoma State.
11. Mark Ingram
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How the mighty have fallen. OK, maybe that's being a little dramatic.
But last year's Heisman winner Mark Ingram isn't having a good a year this year as last, in part because "backup" running back Trent Richardson has been stellar.
Also, this year boasts some amazing performances and a lot of players have taken a leap forward. It's one of the more competitive Heisman races in years when you look at all the players that have a chance of snagging it.
10. Ryan Mallett
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The Arkansas QB hasn't disappointed this season, throwing for 2,449 yards and 18 touchdowns against some stiff competition. But he didn't play great against Alabama, which was the true test for the junior. He passed for 357 yards, but he had three interceptions to one touchdown in a game they lost 24-20.
He's still a guy anyone would want leading their squad, evidenced by his 409 yards and three TDs against Vanderbilt Saturday, but the Alabama game will come back to haunt him in the end unless he plays out of his mind the next four games against South Carolina, UTEP, Mississippi State and LSU.
9. Landry Jones
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It's scary that this is only Oklahoma QB Landry Jones' second year in school. He has already surpassed many people's expectations, he's playing much better than last year (if that's even possible) and he's led the Sooners to a 7-1 record.
Last year he had 3,000-plus yards with 26 TDs and 14 interceptions. This year he's about on pace to surpass those touchdown numbers (21 this year) and yards passing. But he's become a much better decision-maker, and has only thrown five interceptions this year.
8. Denard Robinson
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This may be too high a rank for Michigan QB Denard Robinson, but I had such high hopes for the guy in the beginning of the season. He won his first five games with the Wolverines in impressive fashion, but has lost his last three and has had shoulder problems.
He plays Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin and Ohio State to finish off the season. If he comes out firing on all cylinders (which I still think he has the capability of doing), he could turn some heads. However, I don't see him winning it based on those three losses.
Note: There's a reason I have him pictured running here; he's a much better runner than passer.
7. John Clay
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It's not surprising John Clay has entered the Heisman discussion. He entered it last year and before this season. He's a beast, and he hasn't disappointed for the Wisconsin Badgers this year, with 887 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in eight games. He's led them to a 7-1 record.
He had 91 yards and two TDs against Iowa Saturday. The opponents keep coming, and he keeps rolling.
He plays Purdue, Indiana, Michigan and Northwestern next. I don't see these teams stopping him either.
6. Andy Dalton
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TCU QB Andy Dalton has led the Horned Frogs to a 9-0 record and has 16 TDs to five interceptions. Enough said. For the lack of a better phrase, "He is who we thought he was."
He passed for 252 yards and two scores against UNLV Saturday.
He plays Utah, San Diego State and New Mexico. Utah will be tough. The rest are pieces of cake for Dalton.
5. Terrelle Pryor
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The crazy thing is annual Heisman contender Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor has played the best of his college career this year. He just has much stiffer competition.
Pryor has passed for almost 2,000 yards, 20 TDs and only seven interceptions this season, and his only bad performance (and loss) came against a good defense in Wisconsin.
He still has a chance at No. 1, but it's gonna be tough.
Pryor plays Penn State, Iowa and Michigan in his final three games.
4. Andrew Luck
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Stanford junior QB Andrew Luck has turned the world of college football on its head this season. He's been absolutely magnificent. He's passed for nearly 2,000 yards with 20 TDs and six interceptions and led Stanford to national prominence with a 7-1 record.
The scary thing is his numbers don't even tell the full story. I envision him as an NFL quarterback. His intangibles set him apart.
He plays Arizona, Arizona State, Cal and Oregon State next.
3. Kellen Moore
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Of course Boise State QB Kellen Moore is in the discussion. It was basically a sure thing coming into this season. He's making a case for the best QB in college football right now. Some think it's a forgone conclusion.
He's passed for 1,865 yards, with a whopping 18 TDs and a minuscule two interceptions. He's led the Broncos to 21 straight victories leading back to last year. He passed for 298 yards and two scores against Louisiana Tech on Tuesday in a 49-20 rout.
Moore plays Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada and Utah State. Look for him to bring his "A" game against the only ranked team in Nevada.
2. LaMichael James
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It's because of running back LaMichael James that Oregon holds a No. 2 ranking in the BCS rankings. Plain and simple. He's been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and has rushed for 1,210 yards and 14 scores in leading the 8-0 Ducks.
He's rushed for over 200 yards three times in his seven games on the field, including Saturday's 239-yard, three-score performance in a 53-32 blowout at USC.
1. Cameron Newton
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Cameron Newton's play has been exceptional this season and is the main reason Auburn has skyrocketed up the polls. Auburn has a perfect 9-0 record because of him.
He's passed for 1,500 yards, 15 TDs and five interceptions, and run for 1,100 yards and 14 scores. No, those aren't misprints. That's 29 TDs by Newton himself. He's an unstoppable force this season.
His last three games against Chattonooga, Georgia and Alabama will seal the deal. He deserves the Heisman in 2010.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
