BCS Rankings 2011: Ranking the Top Heisman Candidates from the BCS Top 25

It's no secret that the top teams in the BCS rankings have their fair share of playmakers. As a matter of fact, most of the national title contenders have talented playmakers that go three and four deep.

In addition to rosters chock full of talent, the undefeated teams among the BCS top 25 have one, and in some cases two, elite level players that are very much in the Heisman conversation. 

With a half-season left, these are the 10 players that stand above the rest. 

10. Case Keenum, Houston

While it would take nothing short of a miracle for Houston to get into the top six in the BCS, quarterback Case Keenum should be considered a Heisman frontrunner at this point. 

The senior has completed 71 percent of his 238 passing attempts for 2,309 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Keenum has only thrown two interceptions all season. His passer rating is a career-high 174.8.

9. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Oklahoma senior quarterback Landry Jones first came onto the scene when an injury to Sam Bradford in 2009 forced the then-sophomore into action. Jones ended up with over 3,000 yards passing that season and threw 26 touchdowns versus 14 interceptions. 

Jones is having a good senior year with 2,177 yards passing and 16 touchdowns for the Sooners. 

His numbers aren't quite as good as other quarterbacks on this list, but if he continues to put up solid numbers and if Oklahoma finishes the season undefeated, he'll continue to be in the Heisman conversation. 

8. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

Wide receivers don't win this award much, but if there's a player who can buck that trend, it's Ryan Broyles. 

The senior playmaker has caught 60 passes for 815 yards and has nine touchdowns on the season. He's still right at halfway from his career-high mark in yards set last season, but he should surpass his touchdown total from last year with ease. 

Again, if Oklahoma is at or near the top of the rankings in December, Broyles will be right in the middle of the conversation. 

7. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

A player whose team is in contention for the BCS National Title is Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, who is tearing up the competition in the Big 12. 

Weeden has completed 72 percent of his 260 passes for 2,098 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. The senior has thrown six interceptions against some pretty good competition. 

If Oklahoma State stays undefeated and knocks off Oklahoma at season's end, Weeden will be much higher on this list. 

6. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

Only one defensive player has won this award in its history. That player, Charles Woodson, was not only stout on defense, but he was one of the best return men in college football.

Tyrann Mathieu is no different. A dominant force in LSU's defensive backfield, Mathieu has two interceptions, one-and-a-half sacks and 43 tackles on the season. He also has 119 yards on punt returns. 

The most important factor in his candidacy is the fact that he's the best player on the best team in the land. That'll get you points every time. He'll need a couple punt returns for touchdowns and some more interceptions to crack the top five, however. 

5. Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Freshman can't win the Heisman Trophy, right? Surely, no sportswriter in his right mind would cast that ballot. 

Well, that sentiment couldn't be more wrong. In just seven career games, Sammy Watkins is redefining the term playmaker.  

Watkins has 728 receiving yards on 46 catches, with eight touchdowns receiving. He also has 127 rushing yards on 20 attempts and 338 kick return yards, including a touchdown.

He likely won't get enough votes to win the award because he's a freshman, but he can rest assured that everyone will know who Sammy Watkins is by season's end. 

4. Kellen Moore, Boise State

Kellen Moore likely won't take home the award either, but that won't be the Boise State senior's fault. 

All he does is lead his team to wins and put up stellar numbers in the process. He has completed 76 percent of his passes for 1,729 yards. Moore's passer rating is 179 and he has has thrown 21 touchdowns against four interceptions. 

It would take a small miracle for Boise State to get into the BCS National Championship game, but if they do, Moore might have a shot at winning the Heisman. 

3. Trent Richardson, Alabama

The cream of the crop begins with an Alabama running back. Stop me if you've heard that before. 

Trent Richardson is setting a new standard for greatness in the SEC. He has 912 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns through the Tide's first seven games. Richardson has also caught a touchdown pass and has 179 yards receiving. 

Behind one of the more dominant offensive lines in the history of Alabama football, Richardson will likely continue piling up the yards, touchdowns and wins. 

He'll be one of the finalists in New York City in December whether Alabama is set to play in the BCS Championship Game or not. 

2. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

If you thought Russell Wilson couldn't get much better than he was at North Carolina State, you'd be dead wrong. The senior, who had a year of eligibility remaining and decided to use it at Wisconsin, has thrown 14 touchdowns against one interception.

Wilson's 1,557 yards passing might not be as eye-popping as a handful of Big 12 quarterbacks, but his 211 passer rating is tops in the nation.

Wilson only has 182 rushing yards, but he remains a constant threat to put the ball down and run at anytime—that is, when he's not picking apart your defense with his arm. 

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford

Andrew Luck came into the season as the top candidate for the Heisman and, halfway in, that's where he remains.

With 1,719 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 71 percent completion percentage, the junior has lived up to expectations so far.

The only thing that could make Luck fall at this point is Stanford's remaining schedule. The Cardinal still has to play Washington, USC and Oregon. If Luck looks mortal in those games and/or Stanford loses more than once, the current front runner will fall.