Heisman Watch 2011: What's in Store for Front-Runners in Week 12?

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award in college football. The trophy winners are among the most elite players. Win it and your life will change forever.

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

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

Here is how the Heisman front-runners will perform in Week 12 of the college football season.

Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden

Brandon Weeden hasn't been stopped at all this season; the Cowboys have one of the most prolific offenses in the country. This week he'll get to work a little early when Oklahoma State plays the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday.

Iowa State gives up an average of 30 points per contest—it's given up more than 40 points four times this season. In contrast, nobody has been able to stop the Oklahoma State offense. The lowest score it's had all season is 30 points.

Look for Weeden to have a similar game to what he had last week and possibly climb up the Heisman list.

Prediction: 29-of-38, 389 passing yards and four touchdowns

Houston QB Case Keenum

Case Keenum has been putting up video game numbers his entire career. He's really just now getting some Heisman love.

This week the Cougars take on the Southern Methodist Mustangs. The Mustangs are a team that doesn't really give up a lot of points—but they haven't played a team like Houston.

Houston has one of the top offenses in the country; the team scores a ton of points. I'm not sure anyone in C-USA can slow the Cougars down, let alone stop them.

Look for Keenum and the Cougars to continue their roll, which will keep Houston in the national spotlight.

Prediction: 31-of-47, 402 passing yards and four touchdowns

Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Of all the Heisman candidates, Trent Richardson has the weakest opponent this week. The undefeated Crimson Tide are taking on the Division I-AA Georgia Southern Eagles.

I really don't expect Richardson to stay in the game very long. This should be a blowout, and Alabama should save its starters for the big game against Auburn next week.

Richardson should get a few touches, but he'll probably miss the majority of the second half.

Prediction: 15 carries, 137 yards and two touchdowns

Boise State QB Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore really hurt his Heisman campaign last week with a loss to TCU. If he isn't careful, a talented San Diego State team could do the same and pretty much destroy any chance that he has of winning the prestigious award.

The Aztecs are a good team and will give the Broncos a challenge, but Moore hasn't lost two games in a row in his whole career. San Diego State has a decent defense that doesn't give up many points, and it pressures the quarterback well. It also has a solid 20 sacks on the year.

I still like Moore to squeeze out a victory and put up decent numbers in this game.

Prediction: 21-of-32, 298 passing yards and three touchdowns

Stanford QB Andrew Luck

Stanford may have given up any chance of a national championship this year after Saturday's loss to Oregon—but what about Andrew Luck's Heisman chances?

I still think he's the favorite, but it's a lot closer now that the Cardinal lost.

This week they take on the California Golden Bears, a underrated team that is a lot better than its record suggests.

I look for Andrew Luck to bounce back from a subpar game last week and pick up a victory with solid statistics. California may be able to keep up with Stanford for a quarter or two, but the Cardinal will eventually pull away. Stanford is by far the better team.

Prediction: 24-of-36, 345 passing yards and four touchdowns

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist who covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].

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