Heisman Watch (Week 12)

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Last Week: 20/30 257 2 TDs 1 INT vs Cal (31-28) Next Week: vs Notre Dame
Comments: I think it's pretty ridiculous that many people were dropping Luck behind the likes of Brandon Weeden after Stanford's loss to Oregon. Sure Luck had 3 turnovers, but if his wide receivers didn't let passes drop off their hands then he might not have had those picks. Luck is clearly the best player on the Stanford team and he doesn't have the same weapons that other teams have. Plus his offense is more of a ground attack. The Heisman Trophy is suppose to go to the best player in college football and this year Luck is still the best player.

2. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Last Week: 32 carries 175 yards 2 TDs 1 receiving TD vs Georgia Southern (45-21) Next Week: @ Auburn
Comments: With all the uncertainty going on in the Heisman race, Trent Richardson didn't want you to forget about him. Even though it was against a FCS opponent, Richardson had a ball game. He rushed for 175 yards and 2 TDs and added a TD catch for good measures. Richardson has the stats for the award, but that loss against LSU is really hurting him. But a huge game against rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl he could make his stake for the award. But no SEC Title Game is still going to hurt him.

3. Robert Griffin QB Baylor

Last Week: 21/34 479 4 TDs vs Oklahoma (45-38) Next Week: vs Texas Tech
Comments: After a spectacular victory over TCU early in the season, RG3 became and instant Heisman contender. However over the course of the season Griffin put up big numbers, but Baylor lost three games and he seemed to fall out of the race. But with a huge win over Oklahoma this weekend, Griffin is now the toast of the Heisman Race. Now I'm not ready to vault him way up the rankings, but he is now back into contention. But he'll need huge games and wins over Texas and Texas Tech and some help from others ahead of him if he wants to win the award.

4. Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State

Last Week: 42/58 476 3 TDs 3 INTs vs Iowa State (31-37) Next Week: vs Oklahoma
Comments: Just when you thought that Weeden was making a late charge at the Heisman Trophy and a possible National Title, it all falls apart. Many thought that if they lost a game it would be to in state rival Oklahoma, not lowly Iowa State. But on Friday night, the Cyclones had a perfect game plan for the Cowboys and took advantage with a double OT win. Weeden played well for the most part, but his 3 interceptions cost his team the victory. Weeden isn't out of the race, but he'll need a big win over Oklahoma and hope that Luck and Richardson falter too. But it's not looking too good for him.

5. Case Keenum QB Houston
Last Week: 30/45 318 yards 1 TD 1 rushing TD vs SMU (37-7) Next Week: @ Tulsa
Comments: It was the perfect storm. College Gameday was on campus and the Cougars had the nations attention. The good thing is, they won. However many people expected to see the video game numbers that Keenum had been putting up all season long. Instead Keenum threw for 318 and had only 1 passing TD. He did set the record for most completions, but he didn't really wow anybody. Keenum does have two more shots at getting some more attention, but they'll probably be their two toughest opponents. Tulsa has three losses but they are to Boise State, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. If Keenum can put up some big numbers there he could slide up the rankings.

6. Taylor Wilson QB Arkansas

Last Week: 32/43 365 3 TDs vs Mississippi State (44-17) Next Week: @ LSU
Comments: Nobody would have been surprised if Arkansas would have came out sluggish in this game with a huge match up against LSU coming up next week. But unlike so many others Taylor Wilson and the Razorbacks came out firing and took care of business. Wilson's 365 yards and 3 TDs were another big game this season. Wilson wasn't considered to be much of a Heisman contender before the season, but if he can lead Arkansas to a win over LSU and then maybe a win in the SEC Title Game, he'll find himself in New York with a shot at the trophy.

Heisman Watch (Week 11)

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Last Week: 27/41 271 3 TDs 2 INTs vs Oregon (53-30) Next Week: vs Cal

Comments: It wasn't the outcome any Stanford fan wanted. Their big 53-30 loss is a huge blow to a Stanford team that was hoping that they could get to a National Championship Game. Now this loss also complicates the Heisman Race. With a win Luck could have wrapped up the award. However they didn't. But Luck didn't play horrible in the loss. He did throw 2 picks but both were not his fault. He can't control balls going off receivers hands. Luck is still considered the best player in college football and with a muddied field he is still the favorite for the award.

2. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Last Week: 32 carries 127 yards 1 vs Mississippi State (24-7) Next Week: vs Georgia Southern
Comments: A week after their loss to LSU, Alabama and Trent Richardson looked to bounce back and hopefully somehow sneak their way back to a possible National Title. Richardson also hoped to stay right in the thick of the Heisman Race. Against a tough Mississippi State team, Richardson ran for 127 yards and a TD. Add in Stanford's loss and Luck's not so great game and Richardson is still right in the race. But he'll need two more great games if he wants to be the 2nd Alabama player in school history to win the award.

3. Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State

Last Week: 31/37 423 5 TDs vs Texas Tech (66-6) Next Week: @ Iowa State
Comments: Weeden makes his first appearance in the Top 5 this year, but he is a player that you have to consider for this race. He has everything that a Heisman contender needs to win the award. He is playing for a National Title contender and is having one heck of a year. So far this year Weeden has thrown for 3,635 yards and 31 TDs. The offense is one of the best in college football and if the Cowboys can get by Oklahoma the last weekend of the year he could find himself playing against LSU's vaunted defense. I don't know if he can overtake Andrew Luck, but you can't rule it out.

4. Case Keenum QB Houston
Last Week: 22/29 325 yards 3 TDs vs Tulane (73-17) Next Week: vs SMU
Comments: With the blowout win over Tulane we didn't see huge huge numbers for Keenum but that was also because he came out of the game in the 3rd quarter. Houston also had RB Charles Sims go off for 207 rushing yards. However Keenum continues his strong play and 325 yards on 79% passing is astonishing. Look for Keenum to continue to dominant this season as they roll throw SMU and Tulsa before matching up with a tough Southern Miss team. But Keenum will finish this season with all the NCAA records you can have as a QB. It's a great season, but I just don't know how he could get the Heisman over somebody like Trent Richardson or Andrew Luck.

5. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Last Week: BYE Next Week: @ Baylor
Comments: Landry Jones enjoyed a week off after their big victory over Texas A&M. This rest comes at the right time when they finish the season with three games over Baylor, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State. Jones may be #5 in these rankings, but he has the opportunity to set himself up for a run at the award. Three wins and three big games could vault him towards the top. But not having a Big 12 Title game really hurts Jones' efforts. But you have to marvel at the season that Jones has put together.

Don't Count Out Yet

Kellen Moore QB Boise State

With their loss to TCU, I don't see anyway that Moore can win the Heisman Trophy. He might be in the top 5 in voting, but he won't win the award. Even if they would have finished the season undefeated, I don't think he would have won the award. It is kind of a shame. Moore has been very good all year and even in their game against TCU he played very well. But Moore can't play defense or kick field goals. Both caused them to loose games at the end of the season the past two years.

Taylor Wilson QB Arkansas
I still can't believe how little attention Arkansas is getting this year. They only have 1 loss and that was to an Alabama team that is considered to be one of the best teams in the nation. Wilson has had a great year and continues to lead this high scoring offense to one of the best records in school history. Wilson probably doesn't have a shot to win the Heisman, but if they win out and beat #1 LSU you never know.

Heisman Watch (Week 10)

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Last Week: 20/30 206 yards 3 TDs 1 INT vs Oregon State (38-13) Next Week: vs Oregon
Comments: Another standard day for Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. In their easy win over Oregon State, Luck threw for over 200 yards and 3 TDs. It wasn't a great statistical game, but Luck continues to guide the Cardinal to an impressive season so far. However this weekend Stanford will be matched up against their toughest opponent yet, Oregon. If Luck can lead the Cardinal to a huge win, he could seal his fate as a Heisman winner. A loss to the Ducks and Heisman race could get a lot muddier.

2. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Last Week: 23 carries 89 yards 5 catches 80 yards against LSU (6-9) Next Week: @ Mississippi State
Comments: 169 yards against one of the best defenses in the nation isn't a bad day. But when you can't find the end zone and lose one of the biggest games of the year, it's not that great. This loss hurts Richardson's Heisman stock on two different levels. First they lose the game and Richardson doesn't have a memorable game. Second, unless LSU collapses Richardson won't have the SEC Title Game to impress Heisman voters one last time. Now he isn't out of the running for the Heisman yet, but the gap between him and Andrew Luck just got a little bit bigger.

3. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

Last Week: 18/38 255 2 TDs vs Texas A&M (41-25) Next Week: @ Baylor

Comments: Landry Jones had a good game throwing for 255 yards and 2 TDs in a blowout win against a dangerous Texas A&M team. Jones continues to put up big time numbers and get big wins for a team that is trying to show everybody that they are not the team that lost to Texas Tech. His play has him hanging around in the race for the Heisman Trophy, but is going to need Luck and Richardson to fall off if he wants to win the award. A big win against Oklahoma State in a couple of weeks would do wonders.

4. Kellen Moore QB Boise State
Last Week: 18/31 219 5 TDs vs UNLV (48-21) Next Week: vs TCU
Comments: After a week off Kellen Moore picked up right where he was before. "The Surgeon" carved up the Runnin Rebals for 219 yards and 5 TDs. Moore hasn't had a lot of Heisman hype this season, but a big game this upcoming week against TCU could really do something for that. TCU isn't the same team we saw last year, but they do only have 2 losses and bring some defensive credibility.

5. Case Keenum QB Houston
Last Week: 39/44 407 yards 2 TDs 2 rushing TDs vs UAB (56-13) Next Week: @Tulane
Comments: He didn't set any NCAA records in this game, but Case Keenum had another amazing game for the undefeated Cougars. Completing 88% of his passes for 407 yards and 2 TDs is pretty impressive. But don't forget that he ran for two TDs also. I don't know if Keenum can win the Heisman playing in Conference USA, but his play is making people take a second look. But if Houston can win out (which they should) and he can wow Heisman voters in the Conference USA Championship Game, he might have an outside shot. Crazier things have happened.

Don't Count Out Yet

Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State
With all the teams around them losing, Okie State has moved into the #2 spot and have an inside track to a National Title appearance. Before the season started the Heisman talk on their team was about Justin Blackmon. However it has been the play of QB Brandon Weeden. Against Kansas State Weeden set a school record with 502 yards and 4 TDs. If Weeden has a big game and a win over Oklahoma the last week of the year, he might be able to sneak into the discussion.

Taylor Wilson QB Arkansas
All the talk in the SEC has been about LSU and Alabama, but a team that people need to check out is Arkansas. Quietly the Razorbacks are a 1 loss team (LSU) and playing some very good football. A big part of that has been Taylor Wilson who is running Bobby Petrino's offense magically. Against South Carolina, Wilson threw for 299 yards and 4 TDs. But playing in the SEC West with Alabama and LSU makes it hard for them to get a lot of attention. But a win over Alabama would sure get him a lot of attention.