Saturday, October 29, 2011

Heisman Watch (Week 9)

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Last Week: 29/40 325 3 TDs 1 INT vs USC (56-48) Next Week: @ Oregon State
Comments: What a wild night for Luck and the Stanford Cardinal in their 56-48 triple OT win over USC. In the win Luck continued to show the type of player that he is. Despite throwing the ball 40 times he completed 73% of his passes for 325 and 3 TDs. But what was even more impressive was that Luck did it when it mattered. In OT he was deadly. He extended plays scrambling and even threw a TD to Levine Toilolo and a 2 point conversion to Colby Fleener. To win a Heisman you have to have some memorable games where you lead the team to a victory, Luck did that here against USC.

2. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Last Week: BYE Next Week: vs. LSU
Comments: In lew of their big game against LSU, the Crimson Tide and Trent Richardson enjoyed a week off the rest and prepare for their biggest game of the year. So far this season Richardson has rushed for 989 yards and 17 TDs. Pretty good stats considering they still have four games left in the regular season. Richardson can really make his mark in the race for the Heisman this week with a huge game over #1 LSU. A big game there and a win could let him overtake Andrew Luck for the top spot. But it could also ruin his chances if he struggles and they lose.

3. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Last Week: 35/47 505 5 TDs 2 INTs vs Kansas State (58-17) Next Week: vs Texas A&M
Comments: After losing the week before to Texas Tech, Jones and the rest of the Sooners wanted to show everybody that was a fluke. In his match up against an undefeated Kansas State team Jones was dominant. He shredded the Wildcats for 505 yards and 5 TDs. And despite throwing 2 picks, he could do whatever he wanted. This game was good for Jones' Heisman stock because it allowed him a chance to put up huge numbers over a highly ranked team. Jones needs to continue his high play next week when they host a Texas A&M team that is very dangerous. Jones still has a chance to win the award, but he mostly needs others to fall. That may not happen.

4. Kellen Moore QB Boise State
Last Week: BYE Next Week: @ UNLV
Comments: After a surprisingly tougher game than expected against Air Force, the Broncos used the bye week to rest up for their remaining 5 games. So far this season Moore has completed 174/228 for 2010 yards with 24 TDs and 5 INTs. Those are pretty impressive numbers. However it's an uphill battle for Moore because the only team that they play that is even considered to be tough is TCU and even they
aren't as good as previous years. It's starting to look like Moore's chances of winning the award going away, but you never known.

5. Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin
Last Week: 20/32 253 yards 3 TDs vs Ohio State (29-33) Next Week: vs Purdue
Comments: Through their first six games it looked like Wisconsin and Russell Wilson were the cream of the crop in the Big 10, a sleeper for the National Title, and Wilson a contender for the Heisman Trophy. But their last two games very well could have ended all three. In both of those losses, Wilson hasn't looked very good. Even though he hasn't thrown many picks, he has missed a lot of open receivers and hasn't controlled the game like he did earlier in the season. Wilson is going to have to play out of his mind the rest of the season if he wants to get a real chance to win the award.

Others to Watch

Case Keenum QB Houston
In their Thursday Night game against Rice, Keenum was unstoppable. Throwing for 534 yards and 9 TDs Keenum has set NCAA records for most passing yards and touchdowns. His stats are video game esc. The Cougars are also undefeated and as long as Keenum stays healthy they have a great shot at finishing the season that way. But what hurts Kennum's chances in the Heisman is that he doesn't play in a good conference and he is largely considered a system QB.

Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
Despite leaving last weeks game early with a concussion, Blackmon returned and had a huge game over Baylor. Blackmon had 172 yards and 2 TDs in their 59-29 victory over the Bears. Blackmon has put up some big numbers for the Cowboys, but really isn't getting the Heisman hype he did last year. However Oklahoma State is ranked #3 and if they continue to win, Blackmon's stock will continue to rise.

Tyrann Mathieu CB LSU
It's been a couple of quiet weeks on the Mathieu front with the suspension for a game and then the bye week. But with a huge game against Alabama next week, it gives Mathieu another opportunity to make his presence felt. If he continues to make huge plays in big games he could get some consideration.

Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska
Not a lot of people are talking about Burkhead when it comes to the Heisman, but he definitely deserves it. In their big victory over Michigan State Burkhead was the offense. He rushed for 130 yards and had 2 rushing TDs. Add in a 4th quarter receving TD and it was a big game for Burkhead. I don't know if he'll even get an invite to New York, but if the Huskers run the table, you never know.

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