1.) Cameron Newton – Jr. – Auburn – Quarterback
Last week: 13-21 passing, 210 yds, 1 INT – 28 rush, 198 yds, 4 TD – Beat Kentucky
Season: 70-108 passing, 1,138 yds, 12 TD, 5 INT – 104 rush, 672 yds, 9 TD – 1 rec. 22 yds
This one might come as a surprise to a lot of people, however, it shouldn’t. Newton ranks No. 12 in the country in rushing yards and No. 2 in the country in passing efficiency with a QB rating of 180.7, only trailing Boise State’s Kellen Moore. Auburn and their prolific passer continue to win as well, which is great for any Heisman candidate.
2.) Denard Robinson – Soph. – Michigan – Quarterback
Last week: 17-29 passing, 215 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT – 21 rush, 86 yds, 1 TD – Lost to Michigan State
Season: 84-125 passing, 1,223 yds, 8 TD, 4 INT – 119 rush, 991 yds, 9 TD
Hopefully we didn’t witness the real Denard Robinson Saturday against Michigan State. The Spartans defense is one of the best in the country and forced Robinson into bad passing decisions all afternoon, though he seemed far more flustered than was expected against a top D. Robinson also failed to reach 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. With the Iowa defense up next, Robinson will need to play better to keep even the No. 2 spot in the rankings.
3.) LaMichael James – Soph. – Oregon – Running Back
Last week: 25 rush, 136 yds, 2 TD – 2 rec. 87 yds, 1 TD – Beat Washington State
Season: 114 rush, 848 yds, 9 TD – 3 rec. 96 yds, 1 TD
James has been the most outstanding running back this season, even with missing the first week of the season. Oregon’s top rusher, however, wasn’t asked to do all that much in a win against PAC-10 cellar dweller Washington State. The offense lost quarterback Darron Thomas for the game, but the loss didn’t affect James who continued to produce.
4.) Terrelle Pryor – Jr. – Ohio State – Quarterback
Last week: 24-30 passing, 334 yds, 3 TD – 3 rush, -19 yds – Beat Indiana
Season: 104-153 passing, 1,349 yds, 15 TD, 3 INT – 57 rush, 354 yds, 3 TD – 1 rec. 20 yds, 1 TD
Pryor got back on track this week after a shady performance against Illinois. He completed 24 of his 30 passes against the Hoosiers, though looked to be hampered by the injury the week before to his quad. Pryor suggests that the injury isn’t a factor, however, his three rushes for negative yards say differently. It should be something to continue to monitor, especially against the Badgers this week.
4.) Kellen Moore – Jr. – Boise State – Quarterback
Last Week: 16-22 passing, 267 yds, 3 TD – Beat Toledo
Season: 91-135 passing, 1,336 yds, 14 TD, 1 INT
Moore continues to play like the quarterback he has been in the past. The only reason the Boise quarterback isn’t higher in my rankings is because of the teams he’s playing against. It’s one thing to have Boise high in the rankings, even with the competition they're beginning to face, but to have an individual who is capable of placing ridiculous numbers on opponents every week high in the Heisman rankings seems unfair to me. If anyone wants to argue, schedule Wyoming, Toledo and New Mexico State for Cam Newton or Ryan Mallett.
6.) Andrew Luck – Jr. – Stanford – Quarterback
Last week: 20-24 passing, 285 yds, 3 TD – 6 rush, 40 yds – Beat USC
Season: 113-172 passing, 1,538 yds, 16 TD, 4 INT – 31 rush, 242 yds, 2 TD
Luck got back to his old form against one of the PAC-10’s best this week, beating USC at home. For the first time in three games, Luck didn’t turn the ball over. His 20 completions on 24 attempts was one of the weekend’s top stats, even against a weak USC defense. Luck has a chance to pad his stats following this week bye, with games against Washington State and Washington.
7.) Colin Kaepernick – Sr. – Nevada – Quarterback
Last week: 20-27 passing, 273 yds, 1 INT – 17 rush, 91 yds, 2 TD – Beat San Jose State
Season: 106-150 passing, 1,321 yds, 8 TD, 3 INT – 86 rush, 639 yds, 11 TD
Kaepernick may continue to sit safely in the middle of the rankings until games against Fresno State Nov. 13 and Boise State Nov. 26. The Wolf Pack has jumped out ahead of all of their opponents so much this season that Kaepernick really hasn’t been asked to move the ball through the air. As long as Nevada continues to win and Kaepernick stays healthy, though, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in contention.
8.) Taylor Martinez – rFr. – Nebraska – Quarterback
Last week: 5-7 passing, 128 yds, 1 TD – 15 rush, 241 yds, 4 TD – Beat Kansas State
Season: 39-64 passing, 660 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT – 68 rush, 737 yds, 12 TD
Martinez threw a coming out party against Kansas State on a national stage this week, one reason why it’s finally safe to move the Nebraska freshman into the rankings. Anyone, like myself, who saw Martinez make the Washington defense look like a junior varsity team in week three was already aware of what he could do. His passing is still a question, even with a 60 percent completion percentage. His ability with his legs, however, is special. Not only is he averaging a first down every rush, but he’s averaging a touchdown nearly every five carries.
9.) Ryan Mallett – Sr. – Arkansas – Quarterback
Last week: 27-38 passing, 310 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT – 5 rush, -14 yds – Beat Texas A&M
Season: 122-176 passing, 1,748 yds, 13 TD, 6 INT – 2 rush TD
Mallett is a prolific passer and will continue to pile up huge stats. At this point, wins might be more important for Mallett than the foolish numbers he’s able of putting up. Mallett still takes risks, evident of his six interceptions, but it’s also one of the reasons why he’s capable of making big plays for the Razorbacks. This week, Mallett has a chance to make a splash on the national scene once again, this time against No. 7 Auburn.
10.) Edwin Baker – So. – Michigan State – Running back
Last week: 22 rush, 147 yds, 1 TD – Beat Michigan
Season: 97 rush, 683 yds, 7.0 avg. 6 TD – 1 Rec. 2 yds
Michigan State has a new found success this season and has started the year on a 6-0 mark. One of the reasons why has been the ability to bring in yards on the ground, with the leader of its ground game being sophomore Edwin Baker. Baker might be unknown to a lot in the country, but ranks No. 10 in rushing and carries a seven yard average. Baker shares the backfield with other rushers like freshman Le’Veon Bell, but continues to bring in big numbers each week. If MSU continues to win, Baker may find his name on more lists nationwide.
On the brink….Patrick Peterson, LSU, CB – John Clay, Wisconsin RB – Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR
*Stock up – Stock down – Neutral
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