Ranking the Heisman contenders, week 5:
*1.) Denard Robinson – Soph. – Michigan – Quarterback
Last week: 10-16 passing, 277 yds, 3 TD – 19 rush, 217 yds, 2 TD – Beat Indiana
Season: 67-96 passing, 1,008 yds, 7 TD, 1 INT – 98 rush, 905 yds, 8 TD
At this point, there really isn’t anyone else who should be claiming the top spot of Heisman lists. Robinson nearly racked up 500 total yards for the second time this season, finishing just shy with 494 yards against the Hoosiers. As bad as the Michigan defense is this season, it’s reasonable to think that Robinson will be asked to put up huge numbers every week. Could he be the first player with 2,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing in the same season, though?
2.) Cameron Newton – Jr. – Auburn – Quarterback
Last week: 14-19 passing, 245 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT Beat Louisiana-Monroe
Season: 57-87 passing, 928 yds, 12 TD, 4 INT – 76 rush, 474 yds, 5 TD – 1 rec. 22 yds
Newton wasn’t expected to play much against Monroe Saturday, and left late in the game. He had only one rush, which went for negative yards, but was never asked to make plays with his feet this week. He continued, however, to show the nation he’s not just a rushing quarterback. Newton currently leads the nation in passing efficiency, with a 191.44 rating.
3.) LaMichael James – Soph. – Oregon – Running Back
Last week: 31 rush, 257 yds, 3 TD – Beat Stanford
Season: 89 rush, 712 yds, 7 TD – 1 rec. 9 yds
James continues to get back each week. After missing the first game of the season, due to suspension, James ranks second in the country in rushing yards. His performance against a tough defense like Stanford propelled him up numerous Heisman boards. As long as he gets his carries, he’ll pile up yards and the Ducks will continue to win. James gets lucky this week, facing Washington State the nation’s No. 117 rush defense.
4.) Kellen Moore – Jr. – Boise State – Quarterback
Last Week: 13-18 passing, 196 yds, 3 TD – Beat New Mexico State
Season: 75-113 passing, 1,069 yds, 11 TD, 1 INT
Moore was out of the game by halftime against New Mexico State and still threw three touchdown passes. Whether this will be a trend throughout the season remains to be seen. I’d like to see what kind of numbers Moore could put up in a full played WAC game. But that score might get a little out of hand.
5.) Terrelle Pryor – Jr. – Ohio State – Quarterback
Last week: 9-16 passing, 76 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT – 11 rush, 104 yds – Beat Illinois
Season: 80-123 passing, 1,015 yds, 12 TD, 3 INT – 54 rush, 373 yds, 3 TD – 1 rec. 20 yds, 1 TD
Pryor was less than impressive in his first Big Ten game. He has struggled against Big Ten opponents in the past and we’ll have to wait and see if he continues that trend this season. He rushed for 104 yards against this week, most of them coming on one run, but 76 yards passing is weak. Pryor also left the game with a leg injury and it is unknown how severe the injury is at this point.
6.) Mark Ingram – Jr. – Alabama – Running Back
Last week: 12 rush, 47 yds, 3.9 avg. 2 TD – 3 rec. 19 yds – Beat Florida
Season: 45 rush, 355 yds, 7.9 avg. 6 TD – 5 rec. 46 yds
The Florida defense held Ingram to modest numbers Saturday, but the Gators defense has proved to be good all season. He found the endzone twice, though, which makes up for his lack of yards. I’m a bit surprised the Tide coaches haven’t involved Ingram more in the passing game, and it makes me think he has yet to hit 100 percent since his knee surgery. When Ingram becomes to focal point of the Alabama offense again remains to be seen.
7.) Colin Kaepernick – Sr. – Nevada – Quarterback
Last week: 13-17 passing, 124 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT – 13 rush, 97 yds, 1 TD – Beat UNLV
Season: 86-123 passing, 1,048 yds, 8 TD, 2 INT – 69 rush, 548 yds, 9 TD
The score got out of hand early against UNLV so Kaepernick wasn’t asked to produce much offense Saturday. More importantly the Wolf Pack continues to roll and is now 5-0 on the season. Wins may be the most important stat a quarterback can rack up, unless your name is Denard Robinson, and Kaepernick has Nevada on the right path right now. The Wolf Pack may be undefeated when they host Boise State late in the season.
8.) Andrew Luck – Jr. – Stanford – Quarterback
Last week: 29-46 passing, 341 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT – 8 rush, 39 yds, 1 TD – Lost to Oregon
Season: 93-148 passing, 1,253 yds, 13 TD, 4 INT – 25 rush, 202 yds, 2 TD
Luck looked impressive against Oregon, only in the first half, though. After not throwing an interception in his first three games, Luck has thrown four in the last two. The Oregon defense is good and flustered Luck a lot more in the second half Saturday, but he also missed a lot of makeable throws. He still accounted for nearly 400 yards and should bounce back next week against a weak USC secondary. With a big win margin against the Trojans, Luck go find his way back up boards.
9.) Ryan Mallett – Sr. – Arkansas – Quarterback
Last week: Bye
Season: 95-138 passing, 1,438 yds, 10 TD, 5 INT – 2 rush TD
Mallett got a week to recuperate following the Alabama loss. He’s still the top passing in the SEC and I believe will bounce back on his feet against Texas A&M this week. The Aggies have shown throughout the season that they’re not one to stop a quarterback with a hot hand. Mallett just needs to limit his mistakes, which may be hard as he takes a lot of downfield risks.
10.) DeMarco Murray – Sr. – Oklahoma – Running back
Last week: 25 rush, 115 yds, 2 TD – 4 Rec. 31 yds – Beat Texas
Season: 130 rush, 551 yds, 4.2 avg. 9 TD – 20 Rec. 142 yds, 1 TD
Murray was once within the top five of my board. Then he had a couple of off weeks. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season, though, and continues to bring in touches. His 130 carries ranks first in the nation and there’s no reason to think the Sooners will stop giving him the ball, especially with Iowa State – No. 99 rush defense – and Missouri – No. 58 rush defense – up next.
*Stock up – Stock down – Neutral
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