College Football Week 10: Top 10 Stars Who Will Make Biggest Heisman Move
College Football Week 10 is on the docket and I am looking at all of the Heisman hopefuls.
Every week is a potential boost or pratfall for these young talents. With little time left, they all have to do their best to make a case for them holding the trophy in December.
Here I have broken down the top 10 candidates and sorted them by who will get the biggest boost in this week's schedule.
10. Terrelle Pryor, QB (Ohio State)
1 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Terrelle Pryor was supposed to be much higher than he sits now on the Heisman watch list. He lost some footing in OSU's loss to Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. In that game, Pryor was mediocre at best.
The QB has always been known for his ability to pass and run. However, he has been overshadowed this season by Cam Newton who is doing everything much better.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
Pryor needs to start showing his talent as soon as possible. Voters will remember that he is great. They just need to be shown.
With only three games left on the schedule, Pryor needs to have three career games. Anything short of that and it is someone else holding this year's trophy.
Trophy Boost:
0/10: OSU has a bye this week so there is nothing to be gained for Pryor. He can only hope those ahead of him falter. They will play Penn State on the November 13th—that is where his campaign needs to heat up.
9. Cam Newton, QB (Auburn)
2 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Cam Newton has been, by far, the best player in college football. He does it all. He kills teams with his arm and his throwing precision as well as his running.
His stats are simply ridiculous. So far he has passed for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also rushed for over 1,100 yards and punched in 14 touchdowns.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
This week the Tigers play host to Chattanooga. This needs to be a big game for Cam Newton.
When you have been on top for as long as he has, it makes the voters more critical of your talents. With an easy game like Chattanooga on the docket, Heisman voters will expect him to blow up the stat line.
Trophy Boost:
1/10: There is not much to gain here. He is the top Heisman candidate already. He can only lose credibility from here on out.
Side Note:
Cam Newton has just been linked to a potential scandal involving Kenny Rogers, a former Mississippi player who is claiming to be his agent. If this story has legs, it will greatly diminish Newton's chances to grab the Heisman.
8. Kellen Moore, QB (Boise State)
3 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
It is always fun to think about what kind of gaudy stat the junior will post every week. He simply lights it up for the Broncos.
Boise State has five games left and he has already surpassed 3,000 yards on the season and 30 touchdowns.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
Moore will toss over 40 TDs this season and he will get a boost this weekend against a soft defense in Hawaii. This game will be played in the air and will be tremendously fun to watch.
Moore needs to do what he always does, throw for 300 yards and a couple touchdowns. The Broncos need to finish the year out undefeated. They should stay on track this Saturday.
Trophy Boost:
2/10: Hawaii has a great offense but they lack any kind of defense that could stop Kellen Moore. I can't see him gaining much ground with voters unless he does something utterly ridiculous.
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7. LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)
4 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
LaMichael James has been the reason the Oregon Ducks are so productive on offense. Opponents have to worry about him so much that they leave receivers on the wings. Even when you stack the box, James finds a hole.
Despite missing the first game, LaMichael James has rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. He now has the Ducks listed as the best team in all of college football.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
He needs to make sure the Ducks stay atop their perch. The best way to do that is winning by a huge margin against Washington.
The Huskies will knock the Ducks down some as they are a weak opponent. James and Oregon as a hole will have to kill it on Saturday to sidestep that fact.
Trophy Boost:
2/10: This week's game is not a must win, it's a must dominate. It is always a tough task to do so, especially in the tightly packed Pac-10.
6. Roy Helu Jr., RB (Nebraska)
5 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Roy Helu Jr., shot up the charts this past week following his best game of the season. Missouri was chasing the running back all game. By the end of the debacle, Helu would have over 300 yards rushing with three touchdowns.
He has not been the epitome of consistency though. So far he has only rushed for over 100 yards four times this season. This is including last Saturday.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
This should be a good week for Helu. His team gets a little bit of a breather after facing Missouri as they go up against Iowa State.
The Nebraska running back does not have to do too much. He must show that he can rush for over 100 yards on a consistent basis. With a team like Iowa State looming, he needs to put together a nice stat line or he will fall from top 10 consideration.
Trophy Boost:
3/10: If he has a great game, then Iowa State is considered soft. If he does not, then he drops in standing. There is not much to gain in a game like this for Helu.
5. Denard Robinson, QB (Michigan)
6 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Denard Robinson has been the lone bright spot on a dismal season for the Wolverines. Michigan was on their way to glory when they were tripped up by Michigan State at the beginning of October. They have not won a game since.
Some of that responsibility goes to Robinson, who threw a season-high three picks in the game against the Spartans. He has worked his way back into Heisman's graces since then, but he needs to stay on track.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
Robinson must get Michigan back to winning ways against Illinois this week. I would say that is an easy task but the Wolverines just lost to a similar Penn State.
Trophy Boost:
5/10: This could go either way. A win is expected and a must this weekend. But just getting a win is not enough this week. Robinson has to add some style points to impress.
4. Ricky Stanzi, QB (Iowa)
7 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Iowa has had an up and down year. But even when they lose, Stanzi still shines through with a great game. His QB rating has not slipped below 149, even with losses against Wisconsin and Arizona.
The best thing about Ricky Stanzi is his accuracy. With close to 200 attempts and 19 touchdowns thrown, the man has only two interceptions.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
Iowa travels this week to play Indiana. The Hoosiers have been reeling lately. This should be a cake walk for the Hawkeyes.
It should also be a stage for Stanzi to rack up Heisman cred. There is no way he comes away from this without throwing three into the end zone.
Trophy Boost:
6/10: Normally a game this easy wouldn't matter much, but with a consistent performer like Stanzi, it will be a sight to see.
3. Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
8 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Justin Blackmon is the reason Oklahoma State is third in overall passing yards. He has some of the most trustworthy hands in football.
More than that is his strength. He has done well in breaking away for yardage after initial contact. The Cowboys have a star in Blackmon.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
Both Oklahoma State and Justin Blackmon have a big weekend ahead of them. They play equally impressive Baylor on Saturday. It will be a well-watched game that could give Blackmon a stage to shine.
He just needs to duplicate the efforts he has had on a weekly basis. Two touchdowns and 150-200 yards would be just fine.
Trophy Boost:
7/10: Baylor is a respectable team without being impossible to crack. It is the perfect scenario for the young wide receiver.
2. Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
9 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Andrew Luck is the star player for a very talented Stanford Cardinal team. With the Pac-10 flooded with talented quarterbacks, Luck reigns supreme. His 1,920 yards thrown have netted him 20 touchdowns.
The Cardinal's only misstep came against No. 1 Oregon where he still threw over 300 yards.
What He Needs to Do this Week:
The biggest game for the Cardinal happens to be this Saturday against Arizona. Luck needs to throw 300 yards against a tough team and get the win. That will push Stanford into the top 10 and put Luck into the top three of Heisman candidates.
Trophy Boost:
9/10: The only reason I don't place this huge game as a 10 is because it will be near impossible to make much more movement with the type of talent that is ahead of Luck.
1. Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)
10 of 10
What He’s Done So Far:
Baylor has come from nowhere to capture the imaginations of college football fans. One reason for their success in 2010 is QB Robert Griffin III.
Griffin really came onto the scene when Baylor beat then No. 22 Kansas State. During that game he threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. Heisman voters woke up and realized what he had been doing all season.
What He Needs to Do This Week:
This will be the biggest game of the young quarterback's career. Baylor will attempt to knock down the No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowboys. A win will be a gear up for the their season closer in Oklahoma.
Griffin needs to do enough to win the game. That alone will get him recognition.
Trophy Boost:
10/10: This is a game that will make or break not only Baylor's season, but their quarterback's as well.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
