Heisman Trophy Watch: Updating the Odds of the Top Contenders

The Heisman Trophy watch has taken many twists and turns the past few weeks of the season.

Stanford's loss to Oregon seemed to have derailed Andrew Luck for a moment and thrusted Brandon Weeden into the top position.

Then Oklahoma State fell victim to Iowa State, completely opening up the race once again.

As we near the conclusion of Week 11, let's take a look at the odds of the top 10 contenders of capturing the Heisman Trophy,

David Wilson

This Week: 82 rushing yards in a 24-21 victory over North Carolina

2011 Stats: 1,442 rushing yards, 7 touchdowns.

Does anyone even know who the nation's leading rusher is? That would be Virginia Tech's Wilson and in any other season, he might have generated a little more hype for the Heisman Trophy, but in what turned out to be the Year of the Quarterback, Wilson is likely still on the outside looking in.

Odds: 250 to 1

Justin Blackmon

This Week: 10 receptions, 99 yards, 1 touchdown in a 37-31 loss to Iowa State.

2011 Stats: 103 receptions, 1,241 yards, 15 touchdowns.

It may have been difficult for Blackmon to get the invite to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony anyway, but the Cowboys' loss to Iowa State doesn't help his case.

Either way, Blackmon's numbers are sick and will generate a few votes along the way.

Odds: 250 to 1

Kellen Moore

This Week:  366 passing yards, four touchdowns

2011 Stats: 2,549 passing yards, 31 touchdowns.

Boise State's loss to TCU a week ago likely ended Moore's chances at capturing the Heisman Trophy, but the senior has had a good season and a good career and will still collect his share of votes. He had a big night against San Diego State in one last effort to impress voters.

Odds: 100 to 1

Montee Ball

This Week: 221 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving)in a 28-17 win at Illinois.

2011 Stats: 1,242 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns.

Ball is a guy getting hot at the right time and could force his way into the conversation with another couple big weeks. His 30 combined touchdowns (25 rushing, 5 receiving) are certainly numbers worthy of a Heisman Trophy candidate.

One thing that hurt his cause early was the hot start of quarterback Russell Wilson, who made his own Heisman case early in the season. That could have potentially stolen some of Ball's thunder.

Odds: 50 to 1

LaMichael James

This Week: 76 rushing yards, one touchdown

2011 Stats: 1,207 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns.

It's a shame that James was sidelined and missed a pair of games, or it's quite possible that he would be the clubhouse leader at the moment.

Since his return, he's on fire and could have made a statement with a big performance against USC tonight. But he didn't and Oregon lost so that all but ends his chances.

Odds: 35 to 1

Robert Griffin III

This Week: 562 combined yards, four touchdowns in 45-38 win over No. 5 Oklahoma.

2011 Stats: 3,039 passing yards, 29 touchdowns.

Griffin has had a great season and sat near the top of the leader board early on, but playing on a Baylor team that will likely end up as a four or five loss team hurts any chances he has of capturing the trophy.

Yet he is finishing the season they way he began it, in spectacular fashion, as he was flat out awesome in Baylor's upset over No. 5 Oklahoma.

Odds: 25 to 1

Case Keenum

This Week: 318 passing yards, two touchdowns (one rushing) in a 37-7 win against SMU.

2011 Stats: 3,951 passing yards, 37 touchdowns.

Keenum has had a Heisman-like career but ultimately may fall just short of capturing the award. I would be shocked though if he doesn't get invited to the ceremony.

He will garner a lot of votes, but what will hurt him is the lack of first-place votes, which he won't get mainly due to playing in Conference USA.

He faced his first Top-25 defense of the season Saturday in SMU and still had a good game, but the overall lack of quality competition will likely prevent him from capturing the award.

Odds: 20 to 1

Brandon Weeden

This Week: 476 passing yards, three touchdowns in 37-31 loss to Iowa State

2011 Stats: 4,111 passing yards, 34 touchdowns.

The shocking loss likely drops Weeden down from the top spot but leaves him right in the mix to capture the award.

Guys that favor Weeden will point out his 476 yards and three scores, even in a loss.

Detractors of Weeden will look at his three interceptions in the loss. In the end, it may be the picks that cost him the Heisman Trophy.

Odds: 10 to 1

Trent Richardson

This Week: 172 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns (2 rushing) in a 45-21 victory over Georgia South.

2011 Stats: 1,205 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns.

With Luck and Weeden dropping games this late in the season, it opens the door for Richardson to sneak in and steal the award.

His big game against the likes of Georgia Southern should be taken with a grain of salt, though.

It could all come down to the last week of the regular season and what Richardson can do against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

Odds: 5 to 1

Andrew Luck

This Week: 257 passing yards, two touchdowns in 31-28 win over Cal.

2011 Stats: 2,680 passing yards, 29 touchdowns.

The Oklahoma State loss gave Luck the opportunity to sneak back up to the top of the Heisman Watch and, despite not having the most eye popping stats, Luck should still be near the top of any Heisman Trophy conversation.

Remember that the Heisman Trophy is annually awarded to college football's best play, not the best statistical player. There is a difference.

Odds: 2 to 1