Cam Newton Leads Heisman Race Despite Allegations

The allegations of Auburn quarterback Cam Newton’s past are irrelevant.

He has been far away the most impressive player in college football this season and most deserving of the Heisman trophy.

Although there have been a host of other extremely talented players to take the field this season, Cam Newton is clearly more important to his team than any other player. His vision, throwing ability, speed, elusiveness and even receiving abilities puts him above and beyond the other Heisman hopefuls.

6. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Pryor is enjoying a great season.

Although his team has one loss, he has shown fantastic leadership qualities this season and his overall play has greatly improved.

He did not have a very good game in a tough Penn State matchup this past weekend, however.

He completed eight of 13 passes (61.5 completion percentage) for just 139 yards and an interception. He did throw two touchdowns in the contest.

On the season, Pryor has thrown for 2,136 yards with a completion percentage of 67.2. He has thrown 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

He has also ran for 512 yards and four touchdowns.

5. Kellen Moore, 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)

One of the premier quarterbacks over the past calendar year, Kellen Moore continues to power the explosive Boise State offense.

Moore’s Broncos won with ease this past week, and Moore was his usual effective self. He completed 19 of 26 attempted passes (73.1 completion percentage) for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

On the season, the Heisman candidate has an outstanding 71.9 completion percentage, which is a career high. He has thrown for 2,588 yards, 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Such an effective and efficient passing performance is simply amazing.

4. Justin Blackmon, 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

Blackmon has been leaps and bounds better than any other receiver in the nation this season.

Blackmon continued his string of torrid performances, with nine receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. This followed up a game in which he caught 13 balls for 173 yards and a touchdown.

Blackmon has scored in every single contest this season. In just nine games, he has 84 receptions (second in the nation) for 1,430 yards (first in the nation) and 16 touchdowns (first in the nation).

Incredible.

3. LaMichael James, Oregon

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Arguably the No. 1 running back in the nation on the No. 1 team in the nation, LaMichael James deserves a ton of recognition for his fantastic season.

Despite his poor game against Cal when he rushed for just 91 yards, James still leads the nation in rushing with 1,422 yards. He is also tied for first with 17 rushing touchdowns this season.

James has rushed for over 100 yards in all but two games. In those games, he rushed for 94 yards and 91 yards.

LaMichael James makes a strong case for a Heisman trophy due to his excellent and consistent play.

2. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to throw a third quarter pass while playing the Illinios Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Robinson left the game with a injur

The early Heisman favorite, Robinson lost his appeal.

He was getting injured and Cam Newton began to emerge.

Still, Robinson deserves to be the runner-up after his incredible season, which has led a bit of resurgence for the Michigan football program.

Robinson didn’t help his Heisman chances this past weekend. He completed 13-of-21 attempted passes (61.9 completion percentage) for 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

He also ran 22 times for 68 yards, which is rather abysmal for a player of his caliber.

Everyone is entitled to a poor game; this was Robinson’s. On the season, Robinson has thrown 1,990 yards while completing 63.3 percent of his passes.

He has thrown 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,417 yards, which is second to only LaMichael James, and 12 touchdowns.

1. Cam Newton, Auburn

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers plays against the Chattanooga Mocs November 6, 2010 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The only thing holding Newton from running away with the Heisman is if voters unjustly use his past against him.

Bottom line, Newton has been sensational this season. In spite of the tumultuous week he had leading to the Week 11 matchup against Georgia, Newton completed 12-of-15 attempted passes (80.0 completion percentage) for 148 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Perhaps not the most impressive passing performance of his career, though highly effective and efficient, Newton managed to rush for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

For the season, has passed for 2,038 yards while completing 68.2 percent of his passes. He has thrown 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Most impressively, Newton has rushed for 1,297 yards, which is fourth among all runners in the nation, and 17 touchdowns, which is tied for first in the nation.

Needless to say, Cam Newton should be the 2010 Heisman trophy winner.