Heisman Watch 2011: Heisman Hopefuls That'll Keep the Show Going in Week 5

As we move into the month of October, it’s time for college football's Heisman race to really start heating up.

Right now, it’s hard to say that there’s a clear-cut favorite for the award, but Stanford QB Andrew Luck seems to be the media darling front-runner at this point.

Luck has done nothing to diminish his title of college football’s chosen one, but the junior signal-caller had better keep on performing at a high level, because he’s got plenty of worthy challengers right on his heels.

Here’s a look at a few Heisman contenders who will keep their momentum going in Week 5.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Mark who?

Trent Richardson has stepped in and become the perfect replacement for Heisman-winning former teammate Mark Ingram.

Richardson has shown that he can handle being the main man in the Alabama backfield, rushing for 441 yards and scoring nine touchdowns in just the first four games of the season.

The 5’11’’, 225-pound junior is one of the most physically imposing players in the country, and he’s got the type of power to run over any defense he goes up against.

It should be interesting to see how he fares against a stout Florida defensive front seven on Saturday.

QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

After carving up Arizona in Week 3, last year’s Heisman runner-up Andrew Luck had a nice week off to relax and take a deep breath before the meat of the Stanford schedule kicks in.

Luck has already thrown for 786 yards and eight touchdowns in just three games, and he’s looked as good as advertised.

This week, the future No. 1 pick will face off against a UCLA team that currently ranks 98th in the country in total defense.

Bombs away!

QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Baylor QB Robert Griffin III flourishing now that he’s fully recovered from a knee injury that cost him most of the 2009 season.

Even though Griffin III gave us a glimpse of his potential last season when he totaled over 4,000 yards of offense, it was hard to imagine that he would take the country by storm the way he has so far in 2011.

The dual-threat quarterback has burst onto the national scene, throwing for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns in just three games.

After a huge statement win over TCU in Week 1, Griffin has now carried Baylor to a Top 15 ranking.

He’ll get a chance to prove his worth to a national audience when the Bears head to Kansas State on Saturday.

QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Spectacular isn’t necessarily a word that I would use to describe Landry Jones’ performance in Oklahoma’s last two victories over Missouri and Florida State. Jones threw two interceptions in each game, but the point is, the Sooners are still standing at 3-0, and his Heisman hopes are still intact.

The big junior slinger has already thrown for over 1,000 yards, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

Ball State comes to town this weekend, and that means Jones has a great opportunity to pad his already impressive stats.

QB Denard Robinson, Michigan

So much for learning a new system.

It seems that all of those preseason concerns about Denard Robinson transitioning into Al Borges’ more pass-heavy offense have been thrown out the window.

With another start to the season reminiscent of the spectacular performance we saw from him last September, Robinson has reminded us why he’s one of the most dangerous difference-makers in the country.

The junior speedster has already accounted for 1,176 yards of total offense and scored 11 touchdowns, as he’s guided the Wolverines to a 4-0 start and a Top 20 ranking.

Hey Minnesota, have fun trying to untie the shoelace this weekend.

QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

Another game, another blowout for Boise State.

Broncos QB Kellen Moore kept his reputation as college football’s most consistent quarterback alive and well, with another standout performance in a 41-21 victory over Tulsa last week.

Moore has now thrown for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns in just three games.

The senior signal-caller will have revenge on his mind when Nevada comes to town this weekend.

RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

I guess those extra 15 pounds of muscle that he put on in the offseason haven’t slowed down Marcus Lattimore too much.

The South Carolina superstar has looked just as explosive as he did as a freshman in 2010.

Lattimore has already rushed for 611 yards and scored nine touchdowns, and his 246-yard game against Navy in Week 3 certainly left an impression on the college football world.

The powerful sophomore is the true definition of a workhorse back, and we should be treated to a terrific rushing showdown when Lattimore’s friendly nemesis Michael Dyer and Auburn pays a visit to Columbia on Saturday.

RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

No Ryan Williams?

No Darren Evans?

No problem for Virginia Tech.

Frank Beamer knew he had something special in David Wilson, so Beamer probably wasn’t too concerned when his two top backs, Williams and Evans, skipped town for the NFL after last season.

Wilson has stepped in and shown his remarkable speed and athleticism, carving up defenses to the tune of 519 rushing yards.

The 5’10’’, 205-pound junior has a chance to make a big statement when No. 13 Clemson comes to town this weekend.

QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

Hey Tom O’Brien, miss me yet?

That thought has to have crossed the mind of Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson, who has made a seamless transition from North Carolina State, and been a star for the Badgers during his first month in Madison.

Wilson has already thrown for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception, and he’s been the leader of one of the nation’s most powerful offenses.

Now we’ll get to see how the athletic dual-threat quarterback handles a step up in competition when No. 8 Nebraska rolls into Madison this weekend.

This is the type of spotlight game that could really vault Wilson into legitimate Heisman discussion.