BCS Standings: What's in Store for Top Heisman Trophy Contenders in Week 8?

The BCS Standings are less than 12 hours from release, and the Heisman candidates should be aching to see what is in store for them as the second half of the season begins this week.

Every contender will look to shine week in and week out as they attempt to lead their respective teams up the BCS ladder and into more national spotlight.

As the Heisman race heats up, each game will matter more and more.

Here is a look ahead at what awaits the contenders in the coming week.

Trent Richardson

Alabama's Trent Richardson locked in one heck of a performance in the Tide's 52-7 throttling of Ole Miss on Saturday.

The junior tailback rumbled for 183 yards on 17 carries en route to four touchdowns before the third quarter even ended. If Richardson is to win the Heisman, this game could be the start of his campaign for college football's most prestigious individual trophy.

With Oregon's LaMichael James missing time, this will be Richardson's opportunity to claim the title of college football's top running back.

Who is next:

The Crimson Tide return to Tuscaloosa next Saturday to host Tennessee, which is coming off a 38-7 loss to LSU. The Vols are ranked 69th in rush defense, giving up almost 160 yards per game. Look for Richardson to have a field day.

Season stats:

132 car., 912 yards, 15 TDs, 15 rec., 179 yards, 1 TD. Ranks fourth in rushing yards per game, third in rushing touchdowns.

Landry Jones

Junior quarterback Landry Jones put in another solid outing against Kansas this weekend, lifting the Sooners to a 47-17 win in Lawrence.

Jones threw for 363 yards on 29-of-48 passing on the way to three touchdowns and one interception. The New Mexico native has not had a game where he completed less than 60 percent of his passes. If Oklahoma runs the table, he will be leading his Sooners into the BCS National Championship Game.

Jones heads an Oklahoma passing attack that ranks fifth in the country and second in the conference.

Who is next:

Oklahoma will host Seth Doege and a powerful Texas Tech passing attack next Saturday. Doege is the Big 12's leading passer with 375 yards per game, but Jones is not far behind with 364 yard per game.

The Red Raiders' defense is nothing special, though their pass defense is tops in the conference.

Season stats:

171-of-253 passing (67.6% completion), 2177 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs, 2 rushing TDs.

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III turned in his first 400-yard passing game on Saturday against the Aggies, but in a losing 55-28 effort.

Given the Bears' 99th-ranked defense, Griffin will have to put in Heisman-worthy performances every week to outshine his competition, who probably claim better defenses playing behind them.

Against Texas A&M's dodgy pass defense, Griffin threw for 430 yards on 28-of-40 attempts for three touchdowns and an interception.

The junior quarterback still boasts the top completion percentage in the nation (78 percent) and a passer rating that is second to Wisconsin's Russell Wilson (205.7).

Who is next:

Baylor travels to Stillwater after a bye week to take on Oklahoma State, another team with a great offense supported by a dodgy defense. The Cowboys are 100th in total defense and 95th against the pass, giving up 426 yads and 250 yards respectively.

Look for Griffin to have another big game statistically, but again in a losing effort.

Season stats:

142-of-182 attempts (78% completion), 1950 yards, 22 TDs, 2 INTs, 72 car., 295 yards, 2 TDs

Kellen Moore

What may eventually play against Kellen Moore's Heisman chances are his competition, though the senior continues to throw out impressive numbers every week.

Moore led Boise State to a 63-13 trouncing of Colorado State Saturday, completing a sickening 26-of-30 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns.

The Broncos will not play any team of interest until their November 12 showdown with TCU, so expect Moore to really pile on the statistics to up his Heisman chances.

Who is next:

Boise State will host Air Force next Saturday. The Falcons have a tough time defending the run, as they rank 119th in the FBS. Against the pass they fare much better, giving up 205 yards per game, good for 42nd.

Do not expect Moore to struggle too much, but anything but stellar performances from here on out may put his Heisman opportunity in jeopardy.

Season stats:

151-of-199 attempts (75.9% completion), 1729 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs

Russell Wilson

Wisconsin's Russell Wilson leads the nation in quarterback rating with 210.9, but has the luxury of the Big Ten's top rushing offense to open holes in opposing defenses.

In the Badgers' 59-7 throttling of Indiana, Wilson threw just 12-of-17 passing for 166 yards and a touchdown. The senior also caught a 25 yard pass for a score.

The performance was easily Wilson's dullest of games so far this season, but as long as he continues to lead his team to victory, it will do little to tarnish his Heisman hopes.

Wilson claims the country's best touchdown-to-interception ratio at an astounding 14:1. Talk about ball security.

Who is next:

The Badgers will head out to East Lansing next Saturday to take on the Spartans, who are fresh off a big win over in-state rival Michigan.

Michigan State boasts the FBS' second-stingiest defense, allowing just 186 yards per game. The Spartans' pass defense is top in the country, giving up a measly 119 yards through the air per contest.

Season stats:

95-of-128 attempts (74.2% completion), 1557 yards, 14 TDs, 1 INT, 24 car., 182 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rec., 25 yards, 1 TD.

Andrew Luck

The preseason's top Heisman candidate in Andrew Luck has hardly disappointed this season. He is only getting better as Stanford's 2011 campaign progresses.

Luck led the Cardinal to a 44-14 triumph over Washington State Saturday, putting in his best game this season. The senior completed 23-of-36 passes for 336 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.

Playing out west is hardly ideal for a Heisman candidate, as some of the national audience has already hit the hay by the time Stanford kicks off. Nevertheless, Luck has done little to put any claims against his Heisman chances. But with others more statistically impressive, Luck will have to continue to improve every week and hope for some help in the BCS.

Who is next:

Stanford will host Washington on Saturday in a contest that will see one of these Pac-12 North undefeateds exit with a blemish on its conference record.

The Huskies, however, rank 116th against the pass, allowing 303 yards per game, a statistic that Luck surely will be eyeing with alacrity when Washington comes to Stanford Stadium.

Season stats:

129-of-181 attempts (71.3% completion), 1719 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs, 13 car., 60 yards, 1 TD