Heisman Watch 2011: What's in Store for Front-Runners in Week 8?

With the BCS Standings being released earlier this week, the national championship race is starting to take shape.

Another chase that is heating up is the battle for college football’s most coveted individual award, the Heisman Trophy. 

Heading into the second half of the season, three of last year’s four finalists (Kellen Moore, Andrew Luck and LaMichael James) are still threats to take home this year’s award.

A quartet of signal-callers remains on their heels, with each capturing the nation’s attention in unique ways.

Can LSU’s “honey badger” pilfer the award away from an offensive player for the first time since Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997? 

Will one pass-catcher emerge from one of the deepest classes of game-breaking wide receivers in recent memory emerge with a December ticket to the Big Apple?

Or will a SEC running back be successful in bringing home the league’s third consecutive Heisman winner?

Here’s what’s in store for the Heisman front-runners in Week 8.

10. LaMichael James: RB, Oregon, at Colorado

LaMichael James entered last weekend as the nation’s leading rusher, but after suffering a dislocated elbow in Oregon’s previous game, he was forced to miss the Ducks' 41-27 over then-No. 18 Arizona State. 

Still, with his ridiculous nine yards per carry average, and a showdown with Stanford looming, James has a chance to make a return trip to New York if he can get healthy and continue the tear he was on before being sidelined.

A return to face a beleaguered Buffaloes defense could be just what the doctor ordered for James to make a move towards the top of this list.   

Season Stats:  95 rushes, 852 yards, 8 TD; 11 receptions, 159 yards, 1 TD

9. Ryan Broyles: WR, Oklahoma, vs. Texas Tech

In a dynamic wide receiver class, Broyles has emerged from counterparts Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery amongst others to put his name in the running for the Heisman.

Last weekend, Ryan Broyles broke the NCAA record for career receptions and the Big 12 record for career touchdowns amidst an otherwise ho-hum 13 catch, 217-yard performance with a pair of touchdowns. 

Playing with one of the best quarterbacks in the country helps, but the same gift could work against him in his bid to become the first receiver to win the award in 20 years. 

This week, the Red Raiders defense should offer little resistance to Broyles’ continued assault on the record books. 

Season Stats:  60 receptions, 815 yards, 9 TD

8. Tajh Boyd: QB, Clemson, vs. North Carolina

The Clemson Tigers are shocking the country with their perfect 7-0 record, and the biggest reason for their presence in the nation’s top 10 is the stellar play of their new starting signal-caller. 

Tajh Boyd helped the Tigers overcome an 18-point third quarter deficit at Maryland last weekend in a 56-45 comeback victory. 

While a stellar supporting cast has helped Boyd, he has been the steadying force in what has been one of nation’s most dynamic offenses so far this season. 

The Tar Heels have enough talent to challenge the Tigers offense, but look for Boyd to continue Clemson’s dream season with another big game. 

Season Stats:  145-of-232, 2012 yards,19 TD, 3 INT;  70 rushes, 157 yards, 3 TD

7. Kellen Moore: QB, Boise State, vs. Air Force

Coming into the season, fans across the country wondered if Kellen Moore could produce eye-popping numbers without star receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis, who both moved on to the NFL. 

The senior gunslinger has erased those doubts, only increasing his accuracy: he has completed just under 76 percent of his passes this season. 

The Broncos are once again positioned to be flies in the ointment of the BCS, and Moore is quietly lurking and gaining momentum in his quest for a return trip to New York in December.

The Falcons defense has given up a 100 points in its last two outings, and Moore should be able to light up the Air Force secondary enough to fill up his stat sheet. 

Season Stats:  151-of-199, 1729 yards, 21 TD, 4 INT

6. Tyrann Mathieu: DB, LSU, vs. Auburn

Tyrann Mathieu would certainly win an award for the coolest nickname, but as the only defensive player on this list, his margin for error is slimmer than most. 

Last weekend’s performance at Tennessee will not make any highlight reels, but it is hard to deny how many game-changing plays the sophomore corner has made for the top team in the land. 

Considering his play so far this year, and add to the fact that he had to replace the best defensive back in the country a year ago, Mathieu’s rise to being the game’s top playmaker on defense is a stunning accomplishment in itself. 

With Auburn’s turnover prone offense coming into Death Valley this weekend, look for Mathieu to be in the middle of the mayhem LSU’s defense is sure to bring. 

Season Stats:  42 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles (returned two for TD’s), 2 INT; 15 punt returns for 119 yards

5. Landry Jones: QB, Oklahoma, vs. Texas Tech

Only two quarterbacks have passed for more yards than the Sooners trigger-man this season. 

Jones has only been held under 360 yards passing once this season, and leads an attack that averages over 45 points per contest. 

With record-breaking receiver Ryan Broyles playing wing man and his team in control of its destiny to reach the BCS title game, Jones has every advantage possible in a making a run similar to his Heisman-winning predecessor. 

Texas Tech has given up over 30 points in its last four contests, which means Jones and the Sooners should light up Memorial Stadium’s scoreboard early and often.

Season stats: 171-of-253, 2177 yards; 16 TD, 6 INT, 2 rush TD

4. Robert Griffin III: QB, Baylor, Bye

Arguably the most electrifying player this season, RG III may be the fan favorite to take home this season’s bronze statue. 

But make no mistake about it, his play has been nothing short of phenomenal to date, and just putting the Baylor program in the national spotlight is a feat worth mentioning. 

Griffin ranks third nationally with 371.4 yards of total offense per game, and has completed 78-percent of his passes.

Still, with the Bears losing their last two road contests against ranked conference foes, this may be a case where his team has to win some big games to keep his name on the Heisman radar.

With the Bears off this weekend, RG III will get another chance for a signature win next weekend at No. 6 Oklahoma State. 

Season stats:  142-of-182, 1950 yards, 22 TD, 2 INT; 72 rushes, 295 yards, 2 TD; one catch, 15 yards, one punt, 39 yards

3. Russell Wilson: QB, Wisconsin, at Michigan State

Could another quarterback transfer play one season and pull off the Heisman/national title combo? 

Wilson is trying to pull off a rare feat achieved by last year’s winner, Auburn’s Cam Newton. 

Clearly, the former NC State quarterback has created another dimension for Wisconsin’s ground-and-pound attack, which has helped elevate the Badgers into the favorite to win the Big 10 this season.

In fact, Wisconsin looks like national championship material when you consider that they have won every contest this season by at LEAST 31 points , and Wilson has only thrown FOUR pass attempts in the fourth quarter this season! 

Wilson and the Badgers will face their toughest test thus far when they travel to East Lansing this weekend for a matchup with the Michigan State Spartans. 

Season stats:  95-of-128, 1557 yards, 14 TD, 1 INT; 24 rushes, 182 yards, 2 rush TD; one catch, 25 yards, 1 receiving TD

2. Trent Richardson: RB, Alabama, vs. Tennessee

The nation’s second leading rusher is in the midst of a tear reminiscent of the run his former teammate and Heisman-winning predecessor, Mark Ingram, went on in 2009. 

Trent Richardson has scored a touchdown in every game this season, and has topped 100 yards in his last six games, including last week’s 183-yard, four touchdown performance against Ole Miss complete with a signature run for his campaign.

With a November showdown against top-ranked LSU looming in a few weeks, Richardson will have the spotlight available for him to jump to the top of this list. 

Expect another monster effort from Richardson this weekend against a battered Tennessee team. 

Season stats:  132 rushes, 912 yards, 15 TD; 15 receptions, 179 yards, TD

1. Andrew Luck: QB, Stanford, vs. Washington

Andrew Luck began the season as the consensus favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

He’s done nothing to diminish the notion as the best player in the country, as he’s quietly led his Cardinal squad, winning every game in convincing fashion. 

Luck’s chance to show the nation what they have undoubtedly been missing will come Nov. 12 when No. 9 Oregon travels to Palo Alto. 

However, with No. 25 Washington invading the farm, Luck will get his first crack at a ranked opponent this weekend. 

Season Stats:  121-of-189, 1719 yards, 18 TD, 3 INT; 13 rushes, 60 yards, TD; one reception, 13 yards