Heisman Trophy Watch: Players Who Could Steal the Award from Andrew Luck

The Heisman watch is in full swing and there are a few college football players who could steal the award from Andrew Luck. Once a shoe-in for the prestigious award, Stanford Cardinal quarterback Luck has plenty of competition heading down the stretch.

While the Heisman Trophy usually favors big name players on nearly perfect teams, this list gives praise to big time performers. Numbers are numbers, and these guys have numbers that are undeniable. 

These players make people watch a game on a Tuesday night or at 2 a.m. They light up the scoreboard as they compile video game-like stat lines. Fans become simply enamored as these young men dominate everything in their path.

Here are the players that could steal the Heisman Trophy Award from Andrew Luck:

Honorable Mention: Jordan White

Jordan White may play for the Western Michigan Broncos, but he's the best wide receiver in the country.

White leads the nation with 1,389 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. He also has 108 catches—good for tops in the country.

White has 10-plus catches in a game six times this season, and against the Toledo Rockets in Week 10, he had 16 catches for 238 yards and three trips to the end zone.

Wicked numbers from White this year earns him an honorable mention. If the Broncos were any better than 6-5, he would be mentioned as a Heisman hopeful.

No. 7: LaMichael James

Oregon Ducks' running back LaMichael James is one of the most fun kids to watch in the country.

The junior averages 7.9 yards per carry and has 1,207 yards on the season. This is an amazing number when you take into account that James missed two games due to an ugly elbow injury.

James has 12 rushing touchdowns on the year, along with a reception and a return for a score. He's a multi-dimensional threat on any football field.

With the Ducks ranked No. 4 in the current BCS standings, James has an outside shot at the Heisman Trophy after the conclusion of the season.

No. 6: David Wilson

Running back David Wilson is the workhorse for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Wilson, a junior, leads the nation with 1,442 yards. At 6.2 yards per carry, he's what keeps the Hokies in control of the ACC Coastal Division.

Carry after carry, Wilson pounds the rock. A testament to Wilson's year is the fact that he has at least 120-plus yards in every game except two. That's quite a feat.

Fans can expect to hear his name as a dark-horse Heisman candidate.

No. 5: Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III has been remarkable as the Baylor Bears' quarterback this season.

The junior has thrown 29 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He has an impressive 3,093 passing yards, while completing 74.2 percent of his throws.

Griffin III has thrown at least three touchdowns along with 300-plus yards in seven of nine games this year.

A win in Week 12 against the highly ranked Oklahoma Sooners would definitely boost Griffin III's stock in the Heisman race.

No. 4: Trent Richardson

One may think that Trent Richardson's eyebrows have muscles. The Alabama Crimson Tide's running back is a chiseled beast.

Richardson, a junior, has run for 1,205 yards and scored 19 touchdowns thus far in 2011. When in doubt, he gets the ball to plow through the defense. Richardson is also a reliable receiving option, with 25 catches for 318 yards this year. 

With the Crimson Tide currently ranked No. 3 and looking for some help to get back into the National Championship Game talk, Richardson could very well swipe the Heisman at season's end.

Heisman winner or not, he'll be fun to watch in the NFL when his time comes. 

No. 3: Montee Ball

Montee Ball is a pure touchdown machine. His 27 touchdowns on the season can attest that statement.

The Wisconsin Badgers' running back has 1,242 rushing yards this year, which is good for fourth best in all the land. 

Much is made about Russell Wilson being the Badgers' quarterback, but where would they be without Ball?

To put his scoring prowess in perspective, Ball has scored at least two touchdowns in every game this year.

That in itself validates Ball as a Heisman candidate. There's little else to prove.

No. 2: Brandon Weeden

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are undefeated and currently ranked No. 2 because of quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The senior is a pure athlete and has completed 73.1 percent of his passes this season. He's second in the country with 3,635 yards through the air and 31 touchdowns.

He's also completed an astounding 313 passes. Weeden is a pure gunslinger, who's attempted 35-plus passes in all but one contest this season. 

If the Cowboys remain undefeated and win the national title, Weeden will have presented plenty of evidence on why he should be selected as the Heisman winner.

No. 1: Case Keenum

Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum deserves the Heisman this year. More than any other player in the country, Keenum has been the most impressive.

Regardless of school or schedule, Keenum has dominated. His 3,951 yards and 37 touchdowns lead the country. He averages 10.5 yards per attempt and completes 74.2 percent of his throws. Yes, that's 10.5 yards per attempt, not completion. 

Take into consideration that Keenum has been pulled from a few games because his team is winning by a large margin. The Cougars have scored 56-plus point in six of their 10 games this year. 

Most impressively, Keenum has only thrown three interceptions all season. Considering that he's thrown the ball 376 times in 2011, his three interceptions are next to nothing.

His team averages 54.7 points per game and is undefeated. If Keenum and the Cougars finish the regular season undefeated, their destined for a BCS bowl.

He's thrown for 1,271, more yards than Andrew Luck this season. Keenum also has 8 more passing touchdowns. While he may not be the NFL prospect that Luck is, Keenum is the best player in college football this season.

The Heisman Trophy should land in the hands of Case Keenum when the ink dries on the 2011 season.