1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Ingram and Alabama had a week off to think about what they've got in front of them. This week they play a very underrated LSU program that is very much still alive in this SEC race. The Crimson Tide also has to travel Auburn to rap up the regular season in what should be a very hostile situation for a team with high aspirations. If they manage to get through with an unbeaten record, Alabama will face-off with Florida for the SEC championship with the right to go the national championship on the line.
What does this all mean from a Heisman standpoint?
If Alabama is going to accomplish all of that, they'll rely on their running game and specifically Ingram's ability to grind it out. He is the key to their season much like Tim Tebow is probably the key to Florida making it through their final stretch. This week will be a huge test for Ingram as LSU is one of the most physical teams in the SEC. That's saying something.
Stock: Steady
2. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen had a nice easy going outing against Washington State Halloween night. He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions as Notre Dame went onto win big. You're starting to hear grumblings about Clausen getting a little too much credit for the success Notre Dame's offense has had this season. As some have pointed out, Notre Dame has an excellent receiver named Golden Tate
Unfortunately, receivers don't win the Heisman trophy. Larry Fitzgerald couldn't beat out Jason White and Tate won't beat out anyone I have on this list which is why I haven't taken him off my bubble and put him on it. It's unfair, but it's reality. Still, Tate has had a huge impact on Clausen's numbers this season. It can't be overlooked, so I propose that if Clausen goes onto win the Heisman trophy, he should simply cut in half and give the other half to Tate. It's probably the best chance a receiver has at winning the Heisman in the next five years.
Stock: Steady
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
I wrote a few weeks back that Tebow could go on one of his touchdown binges soon. Well, we might of just witnessed the start of that. Tebow played his best game of the year against Georgia and it looked liked 2007 all over again. He threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns and added 85 yards on the ground. His two rushing touchdowns made him surpass Herschel Walker for the most rushing touchdowns in SEC history. Now would be a nice time for Tebow to pad his stats because that's all that's missing from a potential second Heisman win. Right now, Florida appears destined to meet Alabama and Mark Ingram in what some would describe as a winner take all type of game.
Stock: Up
4. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
How much did Houston lose with their loss to UTEP? That might be one of the biggest questions nobody is asking right now. Houston would undoubtedly be in the BCS hunt and Keenum would probably be ranked much higher on most Heisman lists including mine. The guy is just a machine. He threw five touchdown passes and 559 yards in a shootout win over Southern Miss. Yet, nobody is talking about it. I don't care what offense you're playing in, those stats are impressive.
Stock: Up
5. Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
An injury very well may of cost Pike a legit shot at the Heisman trophy. I say may of because I'm not ready to count him out yet. Despite missing two games in a row, Pike and Cincinnati are now positioned to make a run at the BCS national title, with a little help of course. This week, Pike appears to be ready to return and he does at the right time. Cincinnati will play Connecticut on national television and they still have big games against West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Now is the time for Pike to play big. If he does and the Bearcats win out, he's very much in this race.
Stock: Down
6. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
After a very good performance against Missouri, McCoy was solid against Oklahoma State in a game that turned out to be one of the most disappointing games of the year. McCoy completed over 75% of his passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. The biggest stat of all is it was the first game all year he didn't throw an interception in. He'll need to have a few more games without a pick to make a serious run at the Heisman. If he does, perhaps we can talk about him splitting it in half with Jordan Shipley too.
Stock: Up
On the Bubble
Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Josh Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech |
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