Collin Klein: Will Kansas State's QB Get Heisman Invite?

What Collin Klein has been able to do for Kansas State is nothing short of heroic. Klein has led the Wildcats to a 9-2 record and to No. 11 in the latest BCS Rankings, after most people thought they would be lucky to finish 6-6 this year.

I was one of the more optimistic ones saying it was possible for the Wildcats to finish 8-4, but I don't think anyone thought this was possible. There's really no reason for it either, other then the fact Bill Snyder and Collin Klein just keep inching out wins. Only two of their wins have been by more than seven points.

This team isn't out-dominating anyone, but they keep winning and that is all that matters.

Now the question most Kansas State fans are starting to ask: Does Collin Klein deserve an invite to New York for the Heisman Award?

I'm going to upset Wildcat nation when I say no. If you look at the description for the Heisman Award, no where in it does it say it's for the most valuable player to his team. The Heisman is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football—which in my opinion, Collin Klein is not that.

As of now, there are too many players for Klein to pass to get that invite to New York.

According to ESPN's Heisman watch, they have 14 players listed, and Klein is not one of those players. The list hasn't been updated this week, but it still shows how big of a hill Klein has to climb to get the invite.

On average, only three to five players get the invite to New York for the ceremony.

Klein will make the list this week as Todd McShay, one of the voters on ESPN's poll, has already said he put him at No. 5 in his rankings for this week. McShay has Barkley, Griffin III, Luck and Richardson ahead of Klein.

I also think there are a few other players who could be ranked ahead of Klein in this week's list. Here is my list as of today.

No. 1 Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

I honestly haven't decided on my front runner for Heisman yet, but as of now I'll go Andrew Luck.

Going into this week I was leaning towards Brandon Weeden but after losing to Iowa State, he has to move down on the list.

Luck ranks No. 5 in the country in quarterback rating at 167.36. He's also completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 2,937 yards and 31 touchdowns. Luck has two rushing touchdowns which gives him 33 total touchdowns for the year.

Stanford is 10-1 and ranks No. 6 in this week's BCS Rankings.

No. 2 Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

As someone who is very interested in the scouting aspect of football, I love watching Trent Richardson and Alabama play. Richardson is one of the most complete running backs to come out of college football in several years.

Last week, Richardson rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Southern. On the year, Richardson has rushed for 1,380 yards and ranks No. 4 in the country.

He has rushed for 20 touchdowns and also has very good hands out of the back field. Trent has 26 catches for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

If Richardson can have a big game against Auburn, then he has a good shot of moving to the top of a lot of people's Heisman rankings.

No. 3 Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

Robert Griffin had a great game last week on the national spotlight against Oklahoma. Griffin threw for 479 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards in the upset win.

Griffin ranks No. 2 in the country with a quarterback rating at 191.65. He's completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 3,572 yards and 33 touchdowns. Griffin has also rushed for 550 yards and has 38 total touchdowns.

If you are going to say that Collin Klein should be invited to New York based on how valuable he his to Kansas State, then I think the same has to be said for Griffin at Baylor.

No. 4 Case Keenum, QB Houston

I know a lot of people don't think players like Case Keenum and Kellen Moore belong on a Heisman list but there's no arguing the type of numbers these guys have put up even if it is against lesser talent. Keenum has led Houston to an 11-0 record and to No. 8 in the BCS Rankings.

Case has completed 73.4 percent of his passes for 4,269 yards and 38 touchdowns. Keenum has also rushed for three touchdowns which brings his total to 41 touchdowns which leads the country.

If Houston can't get a shot at a national championship, I at least want Keenum to get an invite to New York and have a shot at Heisman.

No. 5 Matt Barkley, QB USC

Matt Barkley has been one of the hottest players in college football as of late, and is quickly rising up many experts' Heisman lists.

Barkley has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,105 yards and 33 touchdowns. Barkley has 35 total touchdowns and has led USC to a 9-2 record.

In last week's upset win over Oregon, Barkley completed 76 percent of his passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

No. 6 Montee Ball, RB Wisconsin

Montee Ball has been a beast this season at running back for Wisconsin. Ball ranks No. 2 in the country in yards rushing with 1,466 yards. Ball also has 25 rushing touchdowns which is tied for first with Collin Klein. Montee also has 16 catches for 233 yards and five touchdowns.

Wisconsin realistically has two guys that could be invited to New York with Russell Wilson having a great year, but Montee Ball would be my pick of the two. Wisconsin is 9-2 with both losses coming on hail marry passes at the end of the game. 

No. 7 Collin Klein, QB Kansas State

I was going to put Brandon Weeden at this spot, but I will give Collin Klein some recognition and put him at No. 7.

Klein's stats aren't great, but you can't argue with a 9-2 record when most people questioned whether he would even be bowl eligible this year.

Klein has only completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,587 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he's added 1,013 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. Klein has 36 total touchdowns, and ranks No. 3 in the nation behind only Keenum and Griffin.

As of now, I still think it's going to be very hard for Klein to get an invite and I think there are several players more deserving. But if he can finish off the year with a great game against Iowa State, then he still has a chance.

There are other guys behind him like Brandon Weeden, Kellen Moore and LaMichael James that could still pass him as well, so it's not looking very promising for Klein.