Heisman Watch 2011: Predicting the Best Performances of Week 9

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award in college football. Win it and your life will change forever, as you enter a group of elite players.

Before entering every season, everybody throws out several players who have a chance at winning the award. Some are favorites and others are dark horses who have an outside shot if they are able to play to their potential. 

The reality is, there are many talented college football players, but only a handful have a chance to win the Heisman.

Let's predict the top Heisman performances of Week 9.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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Denard Robinson

For those that still have Denard Robinson on their Heisman ballot, he should have a great game this weekend against Purdue. Not only have the Wolverines had an extra week to prepare for this 4-3 team but Purdue fails to pressure the quarterback, one of the few things needed to slow Robinson down.

Robinson will be out to get the bad taste out of his mouth and a matchup against Purdue is just what the doctor ordered.

Stat line: 15-28, 130 passing yards, 150 rushing yards and five total touchdowns

Russell Wilson

As the Badgers showed last week against a great Michigan State defense, you can only slow this offense down for a while; you can't completely stop it.

Ohio State's defense should figure out much of the same, as Russell Wilson will be out to prove the Badgers' loss was a fluke. A win during prime time against a respected Ohio State team should not only help the Badgers' ranking but also keep Wilson in the Heisman conversation.

Stat line: 17-24, 320 total yards and four total touchdowns

Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is playing solid but has yet to have that Heisman-type game to separate himself from everybody else. He is still a favorite but we are still looking for that moment to remember. Maybe it'll come against Oregon in a week.

For now, Luck should have a great game against a USC defense that has given up points this year (43 to Arizona State and 41 to Arizona).

Look for Luck to have another good game, but nothing spectacular.

Stat line: 23-30, 300 passing yards and four touchdowns

Brandon Weeden

Brandon Weeden has to be licking his chops knowing he is going up against a Baylor defense that gives up 32 points per game. Look for him to have a huge game as the outcome may come down to whoever scores last.

Stat line: 30-41, 350 passing yards and six touchdowns

Robert Griffin III

Take everything I said about Brandon Weeden and flip it around, because Oklahoma State's defense isn't much better. I believe that Griffin will put up numbers that are even better because Baylor relies so much on him and he will lead them to a victory.

This is the week Robert Griffin III either makes or breaks his Heisman dreams.

I wouldn't bet against him.

Stat line: 29-41, 520 total yards and seven total touchdowns