Heisman Trophy Watch: Updating the Top Performers from Week 11

Once we see the list of players that are considered Heisman candidates, we hold those players to a certain level of expectation.

Rightfully so, otherwise why are the on the Heisman list, right? That said, here is an update on how the Heisman candidates are performing, taking into consideration Saturday night's performances.

Case Keenum: QB, Houston

We can use the "weak schedule" excuse all we want to deter attention from the Houston Cougars, but QB Case Keenum is legit.

On the year Keenum has compiled 3,951 yards, 37 TDs, just three picks, and a 74.2 percent completion percentage. Those are some really sick numbers no matter who you play each week.

This past Thursday when Houston competed in Week 11, Keenum had a normal day by going 22-of-29 for 325 yards and three TDs. It was the eighth game this season where Keenum did not throw an INT, which is quite impressive as they are now 10-0.

With three games remaining before the Heisman Trophy presentation, it's reasonable to think that Case can toss for over 5,000 yards and 50 TDs. To that end, it will be extremely interesting to watch him play against a solid defense in a BCS game.

Kellen Moore: QB, Boise State

The Boise State Broncos may have fallen once again to an unranked team on a missed FG, but that shouldn't affect how voters perceive QB Kellen Moore (although it probably will).

That being said, Moore deserves the Heisman just as much as anyone else this season because of his numbers in comparison to 2010. Last season, Moore had two WRs in Austin Pettis and Titus Young that each caught 71 passes. Long story short, both are now solid contributors in the NFL.

As for Moore, not only has he not missed a beat, but the numbers are astounding; 2,549 yards, 31 TDs, five picks, and almost a 75 percent completion percentage.

Not only did Moore become college football's winningest QB this season, but he is on pace to surpass his 2010 numbers without his two best WRs. That is the true definition of someone who's improved and is a leader.

With that in mind, don't be surprised if Moore ends up winning the Heisman, despite having lost once this season.

Brandon Weeden: QB, Oklahoma State

Weeden is one QB that doesn't get too much love, mostly because critics in the college football world go with Oklahoma over Oklahoma State solely on tradition.

Well, this season Cowboy QB Brandon Weeden has thrown for 3,635 yards, 31 TDs, nine picks, and around a 75 percent completion percentage.

Sure it helps to have a WR like Justin Blackmon on the outside, but Weeden has connected with nine targets who have 10 or more receptions, five of those nine with 20 or more.

Weeden has proven he can spread the rock around well enough to keep defenses on their heels as well as force defensive coordinators to prepare for a dynamic passing game. Also favoring Weeden is the fact that the Cowboys are in the national title race.

Currently Oklahoma State is No. 2 in the BCS and with a 66-6 win over Texas Tech where Brandon threw for 423 yards and five TDs, it makes him an ideal Heisman candidate.

With RB Barry Sanders being Oklahoma State's lone Heisman winner, Weeden would be in excellent company if he were to take home college football's highest honor this year.

Justin Blackmon: WR, Oklahoma State

When we watched Oklahoma State football a few years ago, we saw a very good WR in Dez Bryant dominate the college ranks. That being said, Justin Blackmon has taken what Bryant did for Oklahoma State and raised the standard.

Blackmon was the nation's best WR a year ago (by far) when he was just a sophomore. Now a junior, Blackmon has amassed 1,142 yards on 93 receptions and has scored 14 times. In 2010 he finished with 111 receptions and 20 TDs on 1,782 yards and is showing that he can build on those totals in 2011.

Against Texas Tech on Saturday, Blackmon accounted for 103 yards and six catches while also scoring twice, and it is evident that his consistency remains at a high level.

With fellow teammate and Heisman candidate in QB Brandon Weeden under center, there's no limit to how much more Blackmon can slice defenses. He's better than he was in 2010, better than Dez Bryant and the best WR in college football.

Russell Wilson: QB, Wisconsin

Not since the days of Rob Vander Kelen have the Wisconsin Badgers football program had a QB in the Heisman race...and Vander Kelen finished ninth in 1962.

The Badgers have had some solid game managing QBs as of late such as John Stocco and Stott Tolzien, but North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson takes the cake.

For the year, Wilson has 2,416 pass yards, 25 TDs, just three picks, and a completion percentage over 70 percent. It's clear that Wisconsin has become a more pass-oriented offense with Wilson under center, even with James White and Montee Ball still in the backfield.

Obviously the threat of their ground game has significantly helped, but lest we forget, Wilson has added 295 rush yards of his own to go with four more TDs, as well as a receiving TD.

Wilson's versatility has made him an ideal Heisman candidate which comes as no surprise because dual-threats like Tim Tebow and Cam Newton were great versatile QBs who won the Heisman as well.

Trent Richardson: RB, Alabama

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Alabama RB Trent Richardson is that he may be even better than former Tide RB Mark Ingram.

Ingram had a lot of strength for his short stature, and his speed was better than meets the eye. So why is Richardson better? Because Richardson is everything that Ingram was but on a higher level.

Richardson is faster, stronger, quicker, and isn’t worn out as much thanks to this season being his first year as the full-time starter. Richardson has more juice left toward the end of the season and is much healthier as well.

On top of that, Richardson has compiled 1,205 rush yards and 318 receiving yards through 10 games as well as 19 total TDs. Richardson is clearly the best player on the Crimson Tide and the main focal point of an offense that lost quite a bit of talent.

It was just another day at the office in Week 11 against Mississippi State, as Richardson gained 127 yards and scored one TD. With two regular season games remaining Richardson should finish with around 1,500 rush yards and 25 total TDs.

When you are the offense, that’s very impressive.

Andrew Luck: QB, Stanford

It was a game that could potentially determine Stanford’s national title hopes, as well as Andrew Luck’s Heisman candidacy. Needless to say, the pun of Luck’s last name didn’t come in handy against Oregon in Week 11.

For the game, Andrew Luck was 26-of-40 for 227 yards and three TDs, but Luck also had two picks, one of which was returned for a TD. On the year Luck now has 2,651 pass yards, 29 TDs to seven picks, and a completion percentage greater than 70 percent.

Luck is by no means out of the Heisman race, but his chances are dwindling after underachieving Saturday against Oregon. Nonetheless, Luck and the Cardinal can still finish 11-1 before the Heisman is decided, so his chances are still solid.

Don’t be surprised if college football’s most coveted individual trophy ends up elsewhere because of Luck’s lackluster performance against the Ducks. 

Robert Griffin III: QB, Baylor

He may be on a team that’s just 6-3, but Baylor QB Robert Griffin is just as deserving of the Heisman Trophy as everyone else on this list.

In Week 11 on the road against Kansas, Griffin went 22-of-29 for 312 yards, three TDs, and just one pick. He also ran for 103 yards and scored a TD. Altogether, Griffin accounted for 415 yards and four TDs. Baylor won 31-30 in OT.

For the year that puts Griffin's numbers at 3,093 pass yards, 489 rush yards, a completion percentage around 75 percent, and 34 total TDs (29 passing) to just five INTs.  No matter who you play, those are some pretty impressive numbers and it’s even more credible for Griffin because the Bears play in the Big 12.

With games against Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas still on the schedule, Robert Griffin has three big games left to really make an even more convincing Heisman case.

How great would it be if Baylor finishes 9-3 and gets a solid bowl game? We know the Bears aren’t normally a team who wins nine or 10 games, so carrying a team by yourself to that kind of a year like Griffin has only enhances his reputability.

Morris Claiborne: DB, LSU

The lone defensive player to make the list, LSU’s Morris Claiborne is the best DB in the nation’s best secondary.

Last season Claiborne had five picks, but just 37 tackles. So far through 10 games in 2011, Claiborne has four INTs and 33 tackles and is clearly on pace to top 2010’s numbers.

With those four picks Claiborne has 128 INT return yards. Averaging 32 yards after getting an INT displays his uncanny ability to continue his play-making skills. It’s one thing to get an interception, but putting your offense in a much better position is the intangible asset that he brings to the LSU defense.

In addition to his defense, Morris has compiled 383 kickoff return yards on just 13 attempts including one TD. Being a versatile athlete on the country’s best team is definitely going to get you some recognition, especially in regards to Heisman consideration.

LaMichael James: RB, Oregon

If there’s a game that propels Oregon RB LaMichael James into the top of the Heisman race discussion, beating the Cardinal at Stanford was it.

James had missed two games a few weeks ago because of an arm injury, but came back and literally hit the ground running. Against Stanford, James accounted for 146 rush yards and three TDs, increasing his yearly total to 1,207 yards and 12 TDs.

He’s not being used in the passing game like he was in 2010, but it is possible that LaMichael will finish with close to 2,000 rushing yards and 20 TDs before the Heisman Trophy presentation.

Oregon has two regular season games left plus the Pac-12 Championship Game, which right now is slated to be against UCLA. Along with Alabama RB Trent Richardson, James will be one of two RBs in the Heisman race.

That said, having the opportunity to play in a conference championship game over Richardson (since the Tide lost to LSU), don’t think that the Heisman is out of James’ reach. For as much parity has occurred in college football this season, no one has the trophy locked up right now.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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