Heisman Watch 2011: What's in Store for the Front-Runners in Week 10

Week 10 of the college football season will be a major turning point for some players on their quest to win the Heisman Trophy.

Last weekend saw some candidates stumble, while others were removed from the list entirely. Andrew Luck struggled, but survived a tough road test to continue his reign as the top contender for the coveted award. Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III and Tajh Boyd were not as fortunate, though.

Like it or not, a team's performance is a major component that affects how people vote. When a school is no longer in the BCS title race, it is difficult for a member of that team to remain in the running for the Heisman Trophy.

This week, every major contender will be in action, and many of them will be facing serious competition. It might be too late for any of these players to recover from a bad showing.

6. Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

Last Week: Win at Kansas State; 35-of-47, 505 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs

Next Week: vs. Texas A&M 

After a heartbreaking loss to Texas Tech a week ago, Landry Jones led Oklahoma to a big comeback win over a previously-unbeaten, Top 10 team in Kansas State. The Sooners broke the game open after halftime and have put themselves back into national title contention.

Jones threw five touchdowns passes against the Wildcats, the third time this season he has reached that mark. He also topped 500 passing yards for the first time in his career and was truly dominant at times.

Oklahoma will face a fading Texas A&M this week. Jones will need to continue putting up big numbers and winning games to remain in the Heisman race. While the Aggies have a solid offense, the defense is weak and can allow Jones to keep putting up his big numbers.

The quarterback's candidacy will be highly connected to Oklahoma's record. If the team can win the rest of its games, including Oklahoma State, Jones will be very high on the Heisman list.

5. Case Keenum, QB (Houston)

Last Week: Win vs. Rice; 24-of-37, 534 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT

Next Week: at UAB

You did not read that stat line wrong.

Case Keenum had nine touchdowns last weekend. With that mark he set the record for the most career passing touchdowns in FBS history with 139, and he has almost half a season left to improve that number.

Keenum has been impressive all season long, but people are just starting to realize it now. As Houston continues to win, experts are starting to realize that the Cougars are for real. The highest scoring team in the country is still undefeated and has a chance (with help) to reach a BCS bowl.

There is very little reason that UAB should provide any trouble for Case Keenum or Houston. Not only are the Blazers 1-7 but the team allows more than 35 points per game.

In fact, no team should be able to compete with Houston unless it faces Southern Miss in the conference championship.

Without major competition, Keenum needs to remain undefeated and continue to have impressive stats. He still is unlikely to bring home the award, but a solid finish might make the senior a Heisman finalist.

4. Brandon Weeden, QB (Oklahoma State)

Last Week: Win vs. Baylor; 24-of-36, 274 yards, 3 TDs

Next Week: vs. No. 14 Kansas State

While Justin Blackmon might be the better NFL prospect and have better statistics, Heisman voters are naturally drawn to quarterbacks, and Brandon Weeden has done more than enough to warrant this consideration.

The senior is having the best year of his career with a 71.3 completion percentage. After being turnover-prone earlier in the year, Weeden has 14 touchdowns with only one interception in his last five games.

Weeden also has a real opportunity to improve his standing in the race as Oklahoma State rises up the polls. With No. 1 LSU facing No. 2 Alabama this week, the Cowboys will move into the all-important No. 2 spot with a win over Kansas State this weekend.

After seeing Landry Jones tear apart the Wildcats last weekend, it is easy to believe Weeden will have similar success on Saturday.

3. Kellen Moore, QB (Boise State)

Last Week: BYE

Next Week: at UNLV

While Boise State had a nice week off, two more teams were defeated for the first time this season. This trend will have to continue for Kellen Moore to have any hope in this year's Heisman Trophy race.

The success of Moore will be tied to that of Boise State. If the Broncos somehow reach the BCS Championship Game, the quarterback will be the reason they got there. With a loss, Moore will eliminated from Heisman contention.

There is very little the senior can do to impress voters. If Moore has a good game against the 118th-ranked defense of UNLV, it will only be because he was supposed to. A bad game will hurt both himself and his team in the eyes of the voters.

His 24 touchdowns to five interceptions is impressive, but not compared to the competition he is facing. This is especially true considering Moore had only nine interceptions in the last two years combined.

Moore will need some help from others to improve his status. It seems only others falling will show his consistency. 

2. Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

Last Week: BYE

Next Week: vs. No. 1 LSU

The Heisman status for Trent Richardson will be heavily determined this week. Alabama hosts LSU in a matchup of the Top Two teams in the country. It is a game that some are calling the "Game of the Century." 

Trust me, voters will be watching.

Richardson has had a very solid season so far with 989 rushing yards to go with his 17 touchdowns.

However, a good game with a win could put the junior on the top of the list of voters. This will be especially true if he can break out a "Heisman moment," a key play that will be shown on highlight reels for the remainder of the season.

Unfortunately, this will not be easy. LSU has one of the best defenses in the nation, allowing only 11.5 points per game.

In their last game, the Tigers held the very solid Michael Dyer to only 60 rushing yards. In Week 1, LaMichael James only was able to get three yards per carry against LSU. In his next four games, James was able to run for 10.4 yards per carry.

Saturday will be a boom or bust game for the Crimson Tide running back. Alabama will be depending on Richardson to perform. By the end of the game, we will have a better idea of the BCS race, as well as the Heisman race.

1. Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

Last Week: Win at USC; 29-of-40, 330 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Next Week: at Oregon State

Stanford had quite a scare against a very underrated USC team on Saturday, but Andrew Luck did what he needed to do to come away with a three-overtime victory.

The senior remains in front of the pack due to his great statistics and high-standing as an NFL prospect. So far this season Luck has been incredibly consistent. In no games has he completed less than 63 percent of his passes or thrown less than two touchdowns. His interception last weekend was only his fourth of the season.

Luck's biggest problem might be that critics have now placed him on too high of a pedestal. Any bad game will be a sign of weakness and will allow other players to pass Luck in voters' minds. Oregon State should not provide any trouble, but if Stanford struggles it will reflect poorly on Luck.

The quarterback's biggest test will be in two weeks against Oregon. A loss will drop Stanford in the polls and hurt Luck's hope at bringing home a Heisman Trophy.