Heisman Trophy Race: Week 10 Preview

Cam Newton, LaMichael James and Kellen Moore are all in contention for the most prestigious award in college sports: the Heisman Trophy.

This week, they'll all be looking to build their resumes and separate themselves from the pack. Some will stand out, and others will fall flat.

Can Justin Blackmon have a big day coming off his suspension? Can Robert Griffin III and Baylor challenge the Oklahoma State Cowboys and continue his team's Cinderella season?

Click ahead and find out what the Heisman contenders will do this week! 

Roy Helu Jr.

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers gets chased by linebacker Will Ebner #32 of the Missouri Tigers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebra

The Nebraska running back has been having an explosive year. In the four games in which he's broken 100 yards on the ground, he's averaged over 11.0 YPC. 

Last week, Helu busted out for 307 yards on 28 carries with 3 touchdowns.

Those are video game numbers, and if he could do that every week, he would unquestionably be the Heisman frontrunner. 

That being said, he's not even the leading rusher on his team. Taylor Martinez owns that honor, and Martinez will have a big day on the ground against the lowly Iowa State Cyclones. 

Helu Jr. has not been consistent enough this year, and I expect him to have a slow day in Ames, IA.

Justin Blackmon

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

In the pass-happy Big XII, Justin Blackmon is right at home. 

He's gone over 125 yards receiving in every game he's played in this season, and I expect more of the same against the Baylor Bears. 

Wide receivers often have a tough time getting love in the Heisman race, but everyone will be talking about Blackmon after this week. 

Look for Blackmon to crack 250 yards receiving in a high scoring game as he climbs the Heisman leader board. 

Terrelle Pryor

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Terrelle Pryor's Buckeyes have a bye this week, but look for him to come out in two weeks and have a big game against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Ricky Stanzi

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes warms up his throwing arm before play against the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 37-6 over Michigan St

Though he's largely flown under the radar in a national sense, everyone in the Big Ten knows Ricky Stanzi and what he's all about. 

He's thrown for 19 touchdowns this season with only two interceptions, making him one of the best decision makers and most accurate passers in all of college football. 

This week, Stanzi will be facing the Indiana Hoosiers, a conference foe that will put up little resistance to the powerful Hawkeye team. 

Stanzi will continue his greatness and stay in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy. 

Denard Robinson

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the

Denard Robinson had a huge week against the decimated defense of the Nittany Lions, both rushing and passing for over 190 yards.

While the Wolverines lost the game, his Heisman resume certainly benefited. 

This week, however, Michigan is going up against Illinois, a team with a defense that allows only 16.8 PPG, good for the 12th best mark in the country. 

Denard Robinson will have trouble getting going against Illinois, and his Heisman hopes will take a hit as Michigan drops its fourth straight game. 

Robert Griffin III

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears passes the bal downfield during the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 8, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 45-21. (Photo by B

Robert Griffin III, as a freshman in 2008, was largely a running quarterback. He ran for over 800 yards that year and proved himself to be a great weapon for Baylor. 

He's now developed into a proficient passer who rarely makes mistakes. Griffin is leading one of the most explosive offenses in the country and has the Bears in the Top 25. 

I expect them to lose to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, but it will be a shootout that will pad Griffin's stats and keep him in the discussion for the Heisman. 

Andrew Luck

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the game against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto

Andrew Luck, the darling of Mel Kiper's Big Board, will finally slow down this week against the Arizona Wildcats. 

Arizona has the 7th ranked scoring defense in all of college football, and I expect them to slow down Luck and the Cardinal. 

Stanford's only loss came at Oregon, which is understandable. Luck didn't play great that game, and I don't expect him to play great this week. 

Players like Griffin III and Stanzi may leapfrog Luck in the Heisman race following this week. 

Kellen Moore

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos passes against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Kellen Moore and Boise State Broncos are facing the Hawaii Warriors this week, one of the only teams that has a passing offense comparable to the Broncos'.

This will be a high scoring game that will feature two of the best aerial offenses in the country. Moore will have a huge day that will build his Heisman resume. 

All Moore has done this season is toss 18 touchdowns to only two interceptions while throwing for over 1800 yards. 

I expect him to throw for three or four touchdowns with no picks as he breaks the 400 yard passing mark against the Warriors. 

LaMichael James

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates as he scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/

LaMichael James has been running wild all season long. He's on pace for over 1800 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. 

I expect him to keep it rolling this week against Washington as he leads one of the top rushing offenses in the country. 

Look for James to stay near the top of the Heisman race after a huge game this week. James will break the 150 yard mark as the Ducks hang 50 plus on the hapless Huskies. 

Cam Newton

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers throws a practice pass before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

In all honesty, the Heisman is Cam Newton's to lose. He is so far ahead of everyone that it almost seems useless to even include others on the list.

Everyone talks about how good a runner he is, and rightfully so. He's already amassed more yards on the ground this season than the great Tim Tebow ever did in a single year. 

That being said, it's important to note that he is one of the most efficient passers in not just the SEC, but in all the nation. 

And don't forget, he caught a touchdown last week on a fade route that was simply incredible. He looked like he'd been playing wideout all year long. The man is truly an athletic specimen. 

Despite all of that, his chances might actually take a slight hit this week. His Tigers are playing the FCS Chattanooga Mocs, a team that they will blow out in the first half. 

Newton may not see the field in the second half, so he won't be able to pad his stats. 

Regardless, even if he doesn't break the 100 yard rushing mark or throw for multiple touchdowns, Newton will still be the Heisman favorite after this week. 

 

Best of The Rest

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball six yards as Rennie Curran #35 of the Georgia Bulldogs tries to stop him during the fourth quarter of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium on Septemb

Kendall Hunter RB, Oklahoma State Sooners

Hunter is a great back, but he often gets overlooked due to the success of Justin Blackmon. 

Colin Kaepernick QB, Nevada Wolf Pack

He's a dynamic dual threat quarterback, but he plays for the Wolf Pack, hurting his recognizability. 

Mike Osterberg is a student at Penn State University and a writing intern at BleacherReport.com. Follow him on twitter @Mike_Osterberg.