Heisman Trophy Race: Does Cam Newton Still Have Edge?

Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton has been a sensation in 2010. 

Newton has routinely beaten teams though the air and on the ground.  He also leads his No. 2 Tigers in rushing yards.

He is the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, but now doubt seems to surround his name. 

Last week, allegations were magnified about Newton possibly signing at Auburn for money. The NCAA is leading an investigation into the matter and if the accusations are true, Newton would jeopardize not only his Heisman hopes, but Auburn's title chances.

Does Newton still have the edge? Here is a look at his closest competition. 

Andrew Luck

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Stanford junior quarterback Andrew Luck has had a solid season under center for the Cardinals. The 6'4", 235 pound QB has thrown for 2,213 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also three rushing scores to help the Cardinals achieve an 8-1 record. 

Under Luck's leadership, Stanford ranks 7th nationally and is second in the PAC-10, only behind No. 1 Oregon.

He has 175 completions in 258 pass attempts for a 67.8 percent completion rate and a 163.3 QB rating. He had solid performances against Sacramento State and Wake Forest, where he had eight touchdown passes and a rushing score with no picks.

Luck showed he was human against Notre Dame and Oregon, throwing for three tallies and four interceptions. These performances could hurt Luck's chances in the long run.

Kellen Moore

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos passes the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed

The Boise State Broncos are back in business for the national championship game.

A big reason the Broncos (8-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) are the 4th best team nationally is the performance of junior quarterback Kellen Moore.

Success is not something foreign to Moore, as the 6", 190 pound athlete threw for 3,536 yards, 39 touchdowns and a measly three picks in 2009, finishing seventh in Heisman voting.

2010 has been another solid year for Moore. He has 2,376 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has completed 71.8 percent of his passes and has a superb 192.3 QB rating.

Leading the country's 5th best aerial attack (327.3 yards a game), Moore has dished out 1,720 yards and 15 scores to receivers Titus Young, Austin Pettis and Tyler Shoemaker.

Moore has passed for two or more touchdowns in each of his games. Even though he was picked off twice by Hawaii, he had three scores on 30-for-37 passing and 507 yards.

With stronger stats and impeccable leadership, Moore is a stronger candidate than Luck and could become a dark horse candidate at the last minute.

LaMichael James

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the start of the game against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Running backs are always fun to watch, but Oregon sophomore LaMichael James takes that to a new level.

It only took James seven games to break the 1,000 yard mark. James leads the nation with 1,331 yards rushing, yards per game (166.4), points scored (13.5), is second in all-purpose yards (183.4) and has 18 total touchdowns with 17 on the ground.

James has rushed for 100 plus yards seven times and over 200 yards three times. He also had three touchdown games against Stanford, USC, Washington and Washington State.

An electric running back is key to any team, but is James' production aided by his talented offense?

Oregon sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas has 2,070 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and six picks. Thomas' favorite target is senior wide receiver Jeff Maehl, who has 746 yards and ten scores.

James will be a solid pick for the Heisman and has a great chance of winning if Newton is involved in the alleged scandal.

Cam Newton

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 6: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a touchdown against the Chattanooga Mocs November 6, 2010 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

If allegations are just that, Cam Newton should walk away as the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner.

Newton has some impressive quarterbacking statistics to lead Auburn to a No. 2 national spot.

He has 1,890 yards for 19 touchdowns and five picks. He also has a 67.8 percent completion rating.

The thing that stands out with Newton, though, is his running ability.

The Tigers' leading rusher is none other than Newton, who has 1,146 yards on the ground with 15 touchdowns. Auburn's real back, freshman Michael Dyer, has 799 yards and five rushing scores.

Newton also has five games with four or more touchdowns.