Heisman Trophy Watch: Top Performance Updates in Week 7

Each week the Heisman race becomes more clear, but also more difficult. As top candidates stand out, its difficult to choose choose between them.

To that end, here are some Heisman performances from Week 7, but be sure to check back as players will be added throughout the afternoon and evening.

Who do you think will win the Heisman?

Check back often and let's get a debate started!

Russell Wilson: QB, Wisconsin

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 12-of-17, 166 yards, one TD

Rushing: Two carries, 42 yards

Receiving: One reception, 25 yards, one TD

Although this wasn't near Russel Wilson's best performance, his services weren't really needed this week against the Indiana Hoosiers.

However, he did have a TD catch, which only adds to his repertoire of dynamism.

Stanford's Andrew Luck may have a sweet catch, but Wilson's was a TD, which gives him 16 TDs in 2011.

Matt Barkley: QB, USC

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 19-of-35, 295 yards, two TDs

Rushing: Two carries, two yards

USC's Matt Barkley is a worthy Heisman candidate under the radar.

The Trojans had another dominating performance this week, and Barkley has compiled 16 TDs to only four picks, as well as almost 1,800 yards.

Being in the Pac-12, it's easy to overlook him because of Andrew Luck, but Barkley could very well enter the race by the end of October.

Robert Griffin: QB, Baylor

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 28-of-40, 430 yards, three TDs, one pick

Rushing: 12 carries, 15 yards

If only Baylor had a defensive player that was as half as good as their QB Robert Griffin, then maybe the Bears would be able to contend in the Big 12.

That said, Griffin is performing very well and has 22 TDs to only two picks.

Also, the game against Texas A&M was his lowest completion percentage (70), which is better than other QBs who play their best.

Griffin's going to be in the race all the way to the end.

Brandon Weeden: QB, Oklahoma State

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 23-of-41, 218 yards, one TD

Today Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden got a lot of help in the ground game (totaled 202 yards and scored three TDs) as well as special teams (100 yard kickoff returned for a TD).

And yet, he still topped 200 yards on the road in Texas over the Longhorns.

For the year Weeden now has 2,102 yards, 16 TDs and six picks (three in game one), so it's safe to say that he's significantly improved since then.

He's only going to get better and it'll be interesting to watch him try and keep pace with those previously mentioned, as well as those who are being listed next.

Kellen Moore: QB, Boise State

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 26-of-30, 338 yards, four TDs

A Heisman finalist a year ago and he will be one in 2011.

Boise State's Kellen Moore completely shredded the Colorado State defense, as he's done to virtually every defense this season.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Moore though, is that he's dominating without his two leading WRs from 2010 (Titus Young, Austin Pettis both now in the NFL).

The simple fact that he's still playing at a high level without them shows that he is truly an elite QB.

Because not very many players could succeed under center after missing two of their best and favorite targets.

Trent Richardson: RB, Alabama

Week 7 Stats

Rushing: 17 carries, 183 yards, four TDs

Receiving: Two receptions, 30 yards

Trent Richardson is an absolute man-beast, and he's going to be a Top Ten draft pick after only one season in college football as the full-time starter.

His numbers are looking like he's going to best former Tide RB and Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram, but the best part is that Richardson is the main man for 'Bama.

When Ingram was there, so was WR Julio Jones and QB Greg McElroy, and although Marquis Maze is a solid wide-out, and Eddie Lacy is a good complement to Richardson in the back-field, Trent is thrashing without the talent that Ingram had.

If any non-QB player win the Heisman in 2011, it's going to be Trent Richardson.

Andrew Luck: QB, Stanford

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 23-of-36, 336 yards, four TDs, one pick

Stanford's Andrew Luck is still the Heisman favorite, but his lead since the end of 2010/preseason of 2011 has significantly decreased.

And it's not that Luck isn't playing well because he is, however, the Cardinal has yet to face a ranked opponent, and won't until Oregon in mid-November.

That said, all Luck can do is dominate like he's been, but don't be surprised if he doesn't win the trophy as the voters will take strength of schedule into account.

Tajh Boyd: QB, Clemson

Week 7 Stats

Passing: 26-of-38, 270 yards, four TDs, one pick

Rushing: 11 carries, 37 yards

If you haven't read it yet, you read it here first-Clemson QB Tajh Boyd will be in the Heisman race.

Including his sick performance at College Park against Maryland, Boyd has compiled over 2,000 yards, has thrown 19 TDs to only three picks, and has ran for another three TDs.

Also, the Clemson Tigers are ranked No. 8 (heading into Week 7), are 7-0, and are the current ACC title front-runners.

All that said, for how great Boyd has played to this point, and for as well as the Tigers have done, there's no reason why Tajh shouldn't be included on this elite list of candidates.

Landry Jones: QB, Oklahoma

Week 7 Stats (through 2.5 quarters)

Passing: 17-of-32, 230 yards, 2 TDs

As this is being written Oklahoma hold a 27-17 over Kansas in the third quarter.

And if Landry Jones keeps his pace, he'll easily surpass 300 yards, and toss another TD or two.

Adding to it, heading into this game Jones had already compiled over 1,800 yards and threw 13 TDs.

Now he does have a questionable five picks, but the pace at which he's performing, it's definitely an improvement from last season.

So, it's for certain that Jones has matured and although he may not win the Heisman, he's deserving to be mentioned amongst an excellent group of QBs.

Tyrann Mathieu: DB, LSU

2011 Stats

Tackles/For Loss: 42/5

Sacks: 1.5

INT/Yards: 2/16

Pass Deflects: 7

Forced Fumbles/Rec/Yards: 4/3/20

Punt Returns/Yards: 15/119

His total year stats through seven games are listed as opposed to just Week 7 as it's obviously more difficult to accumulate numbers defensively.

With that in mind, if there's a defensive player who's filling Patrick Peterson's No. 7 jersey well, Tyrann Mathieu has been straight up rollin'.

Every time he sticks someone there's a legitimate chance the ball carrier will fumble, and not only will Mathieu recover it, but he has the ability to score as well.

He's arguably the most dynamic defensive player, and if there's a non-offensive player who has any shot at the Heisman, Mathieu is the guy.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.