Heisman Watch 2011: The Top Heisman Contenders to Watch in Week 4

The battle for the Heisman Trophy is in full swing and some players have asserted themselves into the race while others have played their way out of a trip to New York City.

In week four, there are some great matchups featuring Heisman hopefuls while other hopefuls play cupcake games.

Here are some of the contenders you can’t afford to miss this week.

Denard Robinson vs San Diego State

The main storyline behind this game will be Brady Hoke playing his former team in the Big House, but the more entertaining facet of the game will be Denard Robinson’s play.

He torched Eastern Michigan last week on 26 rushes which is distinctly opposite of what Hoke was trying to do with the quarterback.

Shoelace could either play like he did last week or like he did in the opening weekend where he only rushed eight times for 46 yards. His carries per game has gone up with each game and if they continue to go up and his team continues to win, Robinson could catapult into the heat of Heisman talk.

Trent Richardson vs Arkansas

Richardson’s Heisman hopes are now a long shot with his pathetic opening performance against Kent State and the emergence of Eddie Lacy as a great second running back.

Arkansas’ run defense has impressed thus far in the season—but against seriously inferior teams. Last season against the Hogs, Alabama racked up 227 yards on the ground and Richardson got 85 yards on just eight carries.

If you don’t watch this game for Richardson, make sure to watch this game to see how well this hyped defense performs against Hogs’ quarterback Tyler Wilson.

Brandon Weeden/Justin Blackmon vs Texas A&M

Last season against Texas A&M, Brandon Weeden only threw for 284 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions while Justin Blackmon had ten catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.

This was at home and now the Pokes play on the road at the home of the “12th Man.” It was also against a Texas A&M team that had not yet found their identity as a team.

Blackmon is the more likely of the Heisman hopefuls, and, if he can get over 100 yards again, he should be fine. Weeden will need a monster game and a win in order to keep him in the discussion, and that will be really tough to do.

Landry Jones vs Missouri

The Sooners are riding high on momentum after beating Florida State on the road and hope to avenge last season’s devastating loss to Missouri.

Missouri’s defense has dominated easy opponents but struggled mightily in a loss to Arizona State.

Oklahoma’s home field advantage is one of the best in the country, and, if Jones can fill up the stat sheet, he could steal some of the Heisman talk away from players like Robert Griffin III and Denard Robinson.

Geno Smith vs LSU

No one has been able to get many yards on LSU yet but West Virginia might be able to with Dana Holgorsen calling the plays and Geno Smith at quarterback.

He is considered a serious longshot for the award, but, if he can orchestrate a win against the No. 2 team in the country with College Gameday on hand, Smith will become one of the favorites.

The Mountaineers play a very easy schedule until they get South Florida to close the regular season. Beating LSU turns WVU into a national title contender and Smith into a legitimate Heisman contender.