Heisman Trophy Race: Trent Richardson Needs Some "Luck" To Win Award

The 2011 Heisman Trophy race is seemingly up for grabs with just a few weeks remaining, with eight contenders left in the Las Vegas futures market.

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson benefited greatly from the Oklahoma State Cowboys dropping a 37-31 overtime contest to the Iowa State Cyclones as 26.5-point road favorites.

Everyone is still looking up at Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck, who has been the betting favorite the entire 2011 campaign.

Let's take a look at the current betting odds heading into Week 13 of the college football season.

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State WR

Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Justin Blackmon has put himself in position to win the Biletnikoff Award for the second consecutive year, registering 103 catches and 1,241 receiving yards with 15 touchdowns through 11 games.

He will have to settle for that piece of hardware.

Odds: +10,000

Kellen Moore, Boise State Broncos QB

Boise State Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore would potentially be the favorite if the team was still undefeated, but that's not the case after dropping a 36-35 home decision to the TCU Horned Frogs on Nov. 12.

At this point in time, the senior could throw for 1,000 combined yards against the Wyoming Cowboys and New Mexico Lobos and it wouldn't matter.

Odds: +2,500

LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks RB

Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James is one of a handful of players that could be the 2012 Heisman Trophy favorite, but his chance of walking away with the award vanished with the team losing its second game of the year against the USC Trojans.

He has the potential to gain 2,000-plus yards next year if he stays healthy.

Odds: +2,000

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State Cowboys QB

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden potentially lost the Heisman Trophy last week in throwing three interceptions against the Iowa State Cyclones.

He still has some impressive statistics, throwing for 4,111 yards and 34 touchdowns with 12 picks.

Few voters are going to back a player that was unable to walk away with a win as nearly a four-touchdown favorite on the road.

Odds: +1,000

Case Keenum, Houston Cougars QB

Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum is the true dark horse in the Heisman Trophy race, as voters may be drawn to his career numbers.

The senior signal-caller is the NCAA's career leader in every major passing category.

Odds: +1,000

Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears QB

Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III certainly made his case for walking away with the Heisman Trophy, leading his team to its first-ever win over the Oklahoma Sooners in 21 series meetings.

In six games in front of the home faithful, he has thrown for 21 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

That's amazing.

Odds: +800

Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide RB

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson has run for 1,380 yards through 11 games of the season, which is just 19 yards behind Mark Ingram's Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 2009.

Voters will need to look at his performances against ranked teams before making their selection, averaging 126.8 rushing yards per game when facing off versus such opponents.

Richardson's numbers are even more impressive when considering no other player on this list has played more than four contests against teams that possess a defense ranked in the top 50 nationally.

No. 3 will potentially strap it on against eight teams that fall into that category.

Odds: +125

Andrew Luck, Stanford Cardinal QB

Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck is the betting favorite due to the amount of action he's already attracted through the first 12 weeks of the season.

I believe there's actual value in playing some of the other players on this list.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic surrounding his candidacy is Stanford's success in the red zone, scoring on 61 of 62 trips inside the 20-yard line.

A big performance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will make it difficult for any of the other contenders to overthrow him.

Odds: -250