Mid-Season Heisman Report

We are at that point in the season where the Heisman race starts to take form, and this may be the most perplexing Heisman race of the last decade. A Terrelle Pryor-esque quarterback in Auburn, a pint-sized track star taking the snaps in Michigan, and an explosive running back in Eugene, Oregon, have been receiving most of the media attention. They have actually managed to overshadow the returning Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, and Terrelle Pryor himself.
Here are my top five candidates for Heisman:

1. Cam Newton QB/Auburn (Passing: 1278 YDS, 13 TDs, 5 INT; Rushing: 860 YDS, 12 TDS)

With the schedule that presents itself, it is Cam Newton’s Heisman race to lose. Looking ahead at games against LSU, Alabama, and possibly an SEC Championship game, it is either make or break for Newton. So far, it has only been make as Newton continues to be the one component that compels Auburn to victory. Defenses cannot figure out the Terrelle Pryor quarterback that delivers better than Terrelle Pryor. In the 65-43 win against Arkansas, Newton rushed for three touchdowns and threw for one.

2. LaMichael James RB/Oregon (Rushing: 848 YDS, 9TDS)

James is the number one rusher in the nation averaging more than 169 yards per game. His balance of power, speed, and vision has been the X-factor in an explosive Ducks offense. He single-handedly carried Oregon on his back in the win against highly ranked Stanford and looks to do the same against Pac-10 foe UCLA this week.

3. Kellen Moore QB/Boise State (Passing: 1567 YDS, 16TDS, 1 INT)

Kellen Moore may be the most talented player on the board, but it will not get him far considering conference play in the WAC. Of course, the Heisman is meant for the ‘best player in college football,’ but as of late, especially with Mark Ingram and Tim Tebow, schedule strength and the motivational factor play a huge role in the voting process. Expect to see Kellen Moore in New York come presentation time but expect to see him in the middle of the pack. Moore threw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 48-0 thumping of San Jose State.

4. Alshon Jeffery WR/South Carolina (Receiving: 40 REC, 690 YDS, 5 TDS)

My dark horse in the competition, Alshon Jeffery is the key to the South Carolina offense. That is if Garcia can get him the ball. Two 100-plus yard performances against Alabama and Auburn have shown his athleticism and sure hands. Expect him to put up dominant numbers in prime time against a weak Arkansas secondary and a downtrodden Florida squad. In a close loss to Kentucky, Jeffery had 6 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. If the Gamecocks play for the SEC championship, expect Jeffery to be in the Heisman talk.

5. Denard Robinson QB/Michigan (Passing: 1319 YDS, 9 TDS, 5 INT; Rushing: 1096 YDS, 9 TDS)

The last two weeks have not been the best for Denard Robinson as Michigan played against stouter defenses in Michigan State and Iowa. Despite rushing for over 100 yards against the Hawkeyes, Robinson could not keep his team in the game. Still, no single player in the country can bask in the numbers that Robinson owns, and a strong second half of the season could boost him to the top again. The only two obstacles that stand in his way: his re-occurring injuries and the Michigan defense.