Heisman Watch 2011: Breaking Down Top Contenders

The 2011 Heisman Trophy race was slated to be a landslide victory for Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, but every week the gap between first and the rest of the pack closes ever so slightly.

With Week 9 of season already underway, the next stage of the battle for the greatest hardware in college sports has already commenced. Enjoy the wild ride that is the Heisman Trophy watch!

No. 1 Contender: Andrew Luck, Stanford

Andrew Luck is one of the best college football players in the entire country, and he is by far the most NFL ready quarterback playing right now.

The Stanford Cardinal are undefeated so far this season, but with a huge game against rival USC in Week 9, Luck can put his final stamp of approval on his Heisman campaign.

With 1888 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with a 71 completion percentage, there is no question that Luck is the top contender for the Heisman Trophy.

Prognosis: Contender

No. 2 Contender: Kellen Moore, Boise State

The Boise State Broncos are one of the best teams in the nation and their star quarterback Kellen Moore is putting up the numbers to be a serious contender in the Heisman Trophy race.

As good as Andrew Luck’s stats have been all season; Moore has even more impressive numbers. With 2010 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, the Boise State star is the best college-style quarterback in the country.

While the Broncos had a close call with Air Force in Week 8, Moore had an amazing game with 281 yards and three touchdowns.

Prognosis: Pretender

No. 3 Contender: Trent Richardson, Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide are undefeated so far this season because of their stellar defense and the consistency of the run game led by junior Trent Richardson.

Richardson is the best running back in the nation, and his 989 yards and 17 touchdowns make him one of the best players on one of the best teams.

What gives Richardson the bump for me is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, and his 18 receptions for 212 yards and another touchdown makes him even more dangerous.

Prognosis: Contender

No. 4 Contender: Tajh Boyd, Clemson

The Clemson Tigers are one of the biggest shocks of the 2011 college football season, starting the year 8-0 thanks to the arm of quarterback Tajh Boyd.

While many proponents will point to the plethora of weapons at Boyd’s disposal for his success, with number like 2379 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions, Boyd is the real deal.

The Clemson Tigers have to make it through their tough final few games, but Boyd has the ability to lead the Tigers to an undefeated season and BCS dreams.

Prognosis: Pretender

No. 5 Contender: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

While Russell Wilson will remain a contender for the Heisman Trophy for now, his chances are going by the wayside by the day.

A poor performance against the Michigan State Wolverines almost certainly doomed his chances at the Heisman Trophy and his poor numbers don’t help very much.

With just 17880 passing yards and 16 touchdowns to go with his three rushing touchdowns makes him a top five talent, but not worthy of a serious Heisman consideration.

Prognosis: Contender

No. 6 Contender: Case Keenum, Houston

It’s the same case with Case Keenum as it with Kellen Moore in the fact that the BCS gives no respect to teams that are not an AQ team.

Despite the Houston Cougars being 8-0 and the leading the Conference USA, the team, and more importantly their amazing quarterback, is getting no respect.

Keenum has a breathtaking 3219 passing yards so far this season with an absurd 32 touchdowns to three interceptions, and the fact that he will not even be considered shows the flaws in the system.

Prognosis: Pretender

No. 7 Contender: Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Robert Griffin III won’t get the respect he deserves because his team lost two games with season, but the star quarterback can’t be held responsible for the sham of a defense they have at Baylor University.

There isn’t much the former contender can do now to resurrect his Heisman Trophy dreams, but there is no shame in what Griffin has been able to accomplish this season.

As one of the most dangerous dual threat quarterbacks in college football, boasting 1950 passing yards for 22 touchdowns with 295 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground, Griffin will definitely find a pace with a team that feels they can build the next Michael Vick.

Prognosis: Pretender

Check back for more on the NCAA Football as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s College Football Page to get your fill of College Football.

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