Heisman Watch (Week 10)

1.  Collin Klein QB Kansas State
Last Week:  245 yards passing 0 TDs, 64 yards rushing 1 TD vs Oklahoma State (44-30)  Next Week: vs at TCU
Comments:  Klein was off to his typical big game, he had 310 total yards and a TD midway through the 3rd quarter.  However Klein took an awkward hit and never returned to the game.  It didn't look bad, but KState doesn't disclose injuries so it's up in the air how bad the injury is and if Klein is going to miss next weeks game.  However Klein was observed on the sideline laughing and not showing any ill affects.  So maybe they took him out just to prevent anything worse happening.  Because if Klein can't go, neither will this team.

2.  Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
Last Week:  38 carries for 321 yards rushing 5 TD vs USC (62-51)  Next Week:  at California
Comments:  If you didn't know Kenjon Barner before this week, you sure know him now.  In Oregon's route over USC Barner set a Oregon single game record with 321 yards rushing.  He also did it on 8 yards per carry.  That's impressive on it's own.  While teammate De'Anthony Thomas has gotten a lot more Heisman hype, it's been Barner who has been the one who has stood out game in and game out.  Barner had 1,295 yards rushing so far this season and 19 TDs.  With games against Stanford, Oregon State, and likely USC again look for Barner to have some more highlights when the spotlight is on.

3.  Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Last Week:  7 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 sack vs Pittsburgh (29-26)
Next Week:  at Boston College 

Comments: It wasn't the best games for Te'o and the Golden Domer's, but they escaped the Pitt game with a with and that's what really counts.  Te'o didn't have a huge impact statically with only 7 tackles and a sack.  But Te'o was always in the mix and helped the Fighting Irish buckle down in the second half and overtime to give their offense a chance to come back.  This next weekend they'll travel to Boston College where Te'o probably won't be on the field too much because BC isn't very good.  If Te'o wants to be the first defensive player to win the Heisman, he'll need a couple huge games coming up.  

4.  AJ McCarron QB Alabama
Last Week:   165 yards passing 1 TD, 1 rushing TD at LSU (21-17)  Next Week:  vs Texas A&M

Comments:  This wasn't McCarron's best game of the year, but when Alabama needed him to step up, he did so.  Down three with in the final minutes McCarron lead the Crimson Tide down the field before finding RB TJ Yeldon on a 28 yard pass to win the game.  The win allows Alabama to stay undefeated and keep their chances of an undefeated season alive.  McCarron although statstically wasn't good, keeps his slim Heisman chances alive.  Without that last TD drive, McCarron would have been out of the race.  But other former SEC Heisman Winners have won the award in the final weeks.  Can McCarron do that too?

5.  Braxton Miller QB Ohio State
Last Week:  226 yards passing 2 TDs, 73 yards rushing 1 TD vs Illinois (52-22)  Next Week: Bye
Comments:  Not a whole lot to say about this Miller this week.  The Buckeyes faced an Illinois team that has quit on the season.  Miller did what he needed to do and got out without getting injuried.  He had 299 combined yards and 3 TDs.  Miller continues to play at a high level, but there really isn't a whole lot of talk about it.  Having a bye next week doesn't help out either.  But there game against Michigan coming up could really do wonders for his Heisman chances.

Others to Watch

7.  Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
8.  Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville 

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.