Heisman Trophy Race: Kellen Moore and Guys Who'd Win The Award As Auburn Tigers

Cam Newton, barring any developments in his scandal, will win the 2010-2011 Heisman Trophy Award—everybody knows that.

Newton is the best player in college football, but he benefits from being on the Auburn Tigers, the No. 2-ranked team in the BCS rankings.

Sure, he's most of the reason his team is so good, but the point is, he wouldn't win the award if his team wasn't ranked No. 2.

Guys like Kellen Moore (and plenty of others) are putting up Heisman-caliber stats, but they won't win the award due to the teams they are on.

In a hypothetical, Newton-less world, put these guys on Auburn and they'd be your new Heisman Trophy winners.

Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa

David Purdy/Getty Images

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

2482 yards, 66.4 CMP%, 9.16 YPA, 22 TD, 4 INT, 167.19 RAT

After a 15-interception junior year, Stanzi has turned around his career as a senior.

His TD-INT ratio is outstanding, and he's leading an Iowa offense to win after win despite losing three of its top running backs due to injury.

Stanzi won't be winning the Heisman on a three-loss (maybe more) Iowa squad, but he'd be right in the thick of things if he was an Auburn Tiger.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during warm ups before the start of their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lec

2967 yards, 67.3 CMP%, 9.42 YPA, 24 TD, 8 INT, 166.48 RAT

Mallett could be the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, and that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

He played poorly against Alabama (1 TD, 3 INT) and got hurt in the Razorbacks loss to Auburn (he played less than a half), and that has hurt his Heisman stock.

Since Arkansas has two losses (and one was his fault), he won't be winning the award, but his cumulative performance this year merits him Heisman candidacy status.

And if he were on the No. 2 team in the nation, this could be your Heisman winner.

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a first quarter pass while playing the Illinios Fighting Illini after a second quarter reception at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by

1990 passing yards, 66.3 CMP% 1417 rushing yards, 26 total TD, 9 INT

Denard Robinson's season is not getting the recognition it deserves.

Shoelace is just 77 yards away from the NCAA rushing record for a quarterback in a single season, currently held by Beau Morgan of Air Force with 1,494.

He will almost certainly set the record (barring injury), which would be an incredible feat.

Combine that with his 6.9 yards per carry average and 157.67 passer rating and you'll see why we'd be talking Heisman winner if Denard was a Tiger.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

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

2588 yards, 71.9 CMP %, 10.69 ypa, 24 TD, 4 INT, 191.15 RAT

Moore is the nation's most efficient passer by a country mile, but people discredit his stats because of his WAC schedule.

It's a fair criticism, but his numbers are so remarkable that they cannot be ignored.

There's no way to tell if Moore could put up similar numbers in the SEC, but he hasn't shown anything to prove otherwise.

If he were in Cam Newton's shoes, there would be no doubt he would win the Heisman.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

84 receptions, 1430 yards, 19.3 ypc, 16 TD

Wide receivers don't normally get in on the Heisman converstaion, but Blackmon's numbers are unreal.

He has topped 100 yards receiving in every game and also has a touchdown in each game.

His stats are hurt slightly by the game that he missed (due to a DUI), but his overall resume is still amazing.

And if he was on Auburn, even with Cam Newton, we could be talking Heisman.

But it's not happening at Oklahoma State, especially for a wide receiver.

Comments

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 13: Chip, the Colorado Buffaloes mascot, does a stunt with the cheerleaders during a break in the action against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field on November 13, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Iowa State 34-14.

What do you think?

Let me know in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud