Heisman Trophy: Who Is College Football's Best Player, If Not Cam Newton?

Cameron Newton has proved to be the best college football player for the year of 2010, but his status is in doubt and may not be eligible to win the nation's most coveted award.

If Newton is declared ineligible, then who steps up to accept the award?

There are several deserved candidates, and the answer may become more obvious as the season hits its home stretch. As for now, this is how they should rank. 

5. Andrew Luck

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls signals against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona.The Cardinal won 17-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Andrew Luck has had a remarkable season and is in great shape to be on a poor NFL team next year. As good as Luck is, he doesn't have that extra redeeming quality to move him up this list. He doesn't run like Newton, his team got beat by James's, Moore is the darling of the disrespected, and Blackmon has all those highlight catches.

Luck has been a great leader on a pretty good team and probably won't win the award, but deserves to be paraded around in New York before he revisits the city again next year as a top prize in the draft. 

4. LaMichael James

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks warms up on the field before their game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Image

Many people are high on James, and I agree he is a stud at the running back position. He deserves to be talked about as one of the best backs in the country, if not the best. The problem is he is not as valuable to his team as the rest of the players on this list.

If you consider the Heisman to be an MVP contest, then James just isn't the most deserving candidate. A great player...yes. The most valuable...not quite. 

3. 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

Hands down the nation's best receiver and the most important player on one of the better teams in the country, Justin Blackmon is a stud. Problem is, like Newton, he has some off the field issues.

Despite missing a game, he has just as many yards as LaMichael James and only one fewer touchdown. The only knock on him is he had a couple drops against Texas.

Don't forget, Oklahoma State has only one loss so far and is a top-10 team. If he finishes strong, he may be up for the top prize.

2. Kellen Moore

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks over to his sideline in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glen

Kellen Moore is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the country, a great leader and a very valuable asset to one of the best teams around. He deserves many things, including a chance at a national championship.

Nobody knows how the cards are going to fall with the BCS, but this much is clear: The Boise State Broncos are a great team, and Moore their undisputed leader.

He is very valuable and deserves a trip to New York to celebrate what he was able to do individually and as a leader of a small dynasty in college football.

1. Cameron Newton

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after an official review showed Newton crossed the end zone after diving for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in A

Cameron Newton is the best player in the country, and allegations are not enough to drop him from this list. He may still be considered ineligible before voting for the Heisman begins, but as of today, there is just no denying who the top player has been so far this year. 

Auburn is rolling, and Newton is the spark that lights the fire. If eligible, this is all just nonsense. But the season is not over, and the case has just been opened.