Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers Is Still Your Heisman Winner

It is difficult to sit here and say that during the first half of the Iron Bowl, I thought Cam Newton still had the Heisman locked up. The highly anticipated showdown of Week 13 delivered on all accounts as the game was the most exciting of the weekend.

Cam Newton carried his team on his shoulders to remain in contention for a BCS championship as he led the Tigers to the 28-27 victory over Alabama.

Alabama exploded in the first quarter as Mark Ingram rushed for a score and Greg McElroy tossed two. Before the end of the half, Newton led a touchdown drive to get the Tigers on the board. Down 17 points at halftime, Newton knew he had to put the team on his back and will them to their biggest win of the season.

With his back against the wall, his Heisman and BCS championship dreams fading away, Newton played as well as we have seen him all season. Out of the gate, Newton and Terrell Zachery connected for a 70-yard touchdown. Later in the third quarter, Newton called his own number and snuck it in from the one-yard line.

Alabama answered with a field goal of their own, but Newton gave the final blow. Early in the fourth quarter, Newton threw a touchdown pass to Philip Lutzenkirchen to give the Tigers the victory.

In the epic battle, Newton completed 13 of 20 passes (65.0 completion percentage) for 216 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 22 times for 39 yards and a touchdown.

For the season, Newton has thrown 2,254 yards with a 67.9 completion percentage. He has thrown just six interceptions and 24 touchdown passes. He has also rushed for 1,336 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Cam Newton should be our Heisman trophy winner.

How did the other Heisman hopefuls fare in Week 13?

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio St.

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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scrambles for yards under pressure from University of Iowa Hawkeyes defenders during the second half of play at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Pryor led the Buckeyes to a rout over Denard Robinson’s Michigan Wolverines. Pryor had a nice game but nothing too noteworthy. The Buckeyes defense of Robinson was more impressive.

Pryor finished the day with 220 yards on 18 of 27 attempted passes (66.7 completion percentage) for two scores and a pick. Pryor should return next season and set career highs if healthy.

For the year, Pryor has thrown 2,551 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for 639 yards and four touchdowns.

Kellen Moore, Boise St.

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BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos passes against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Kellen Moore’s dreams were shattered when his team was upset by Nevada.

Goodbye Heisman, adios BCS championship.

Moore was still stellar in the contest, tossing for 348 yards and two touchdowns on 20 of 31 attempted passes (64.5 completion percentage).

Still, Boise St. knew all along they could never afford a loss on their record.

For the season, Moore completed 71.1 percent of his passes for 3,269 yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after they scored a touchdown during their game against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Get

Luck is an NFL star in the making. He has steadily lead his Stanford team up the BCS polls. He helped lead his team to a 38-0 victory over Oregon St. His team has only lost one game, which was to the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, Oregon.

Luck was phenomenal in Week 13, tossing for 305 yards and four touchdowns while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.

For the year, Luck completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 3,051 yard, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for three touchdowns.

Denard Robinson, Michigan

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Robinson rushed for 105 yards in a 37-7 loss to Ohio State. (Photo by Ja

Robinson had a rough game against the tough Ohio St. Buckeyes. Although he rushed18 times for 105 yards, Robinson failed to score a touchdown in the contest. With Cam Newton’s heroics, Robinson had a long shot to compete for the Heisman regardless of his poor game.

Still, Robinson has Heisman-caliber numbers. He has thrown 2,316 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. More importantly, he has rushed for 1,643 yards and 14 touchdowns. Robinson had a dynamic season and will be a star heading into the 2011 season.

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.

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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

Blackmon’s Cowboys lost a tough game to Oklahoma in Week 13. Blackmon turned in his usual performance: eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Cowboys lost by six points.

In 11 games this season, Blackmon caught 102 passes for 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s second in the nation in receptions and first in yards and touchdown receptions.

LaMichael James, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs for a touchdown run against the Arizona Wildcats on November 26, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

James is the only legitimate threat to Newton’s Heisman at the foreseeable moment.

Oregon fell behind Arizona early, but turned it on in the second half to stay undefeated. LaMichael James was the main contributor in the 34-point second half. James finished the day with 126 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. He added three receptions for 20 yards.

In just 10 games, James has rushed for 1,548 yards and 19 touchdowns.