1.) Cameron Newton – Jr. – Auburn – Quarterback
Last week: 15-21 passing, 317 yds, 4 TD – 8 rush, 24 yds – Beat Chattanooga
Season: 123-183 passing, 1,890 yds, 19 TD, 5 INT – 176 rush, 1,146 yds, 14 TD – 2 rec. 42 yds, 1 TD
It’s sad to think that all of the allegations surrounding Cameron Newton have come basically because of his success this season. Would we be talking about a cheating allegation while Newton was at Florida if Auburn wasn’t in the national title hunt or himself the leader for the Heisman? The answer is absolutely not. There’s become a standard in sports and football especially, to dig up dirt on whoever’s finding success. If Newton was surpassed in the Heisman rankings, muck would be spread across the new leader, and so on. I’m not letting allegations with no further proof influence the decision of who’s the best college football player in the country.
2.) LaMichael James – Soph. – Oregon – Running Back
Last week: 26 rush, 121 yds, 3 TD – 3 rec. 19 yds – Beat Washington
Season: 196 rush, 1,331 yds, 6.8 avg. 17 TD – 8 rec. 138 yds, 1 TD
James is consistent. The sophomore leads all running backs in the country in rushing and is the nation’s leader in rushing scores with 17. Saturday’s 121 performance against Washington was James’ fifth straight 100 yard rushing game and considered a modest amount. Oregon faces three pretty decent rush defenses still to come in California, Arizona and Oregon State, but apart from a 94 yard performance against Arizona State, there hasn’t been any reason to think James won’t put up big numbers on a Saturday.
3.) Kellen Moore – Jr. – Boise State – Quarterback
Last Week: 30-37 passing, 507 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT – Beat Hawaii
Season: 155-216 passing, 2,372 yds, 21 TD, 4 INT
Moore is a special player and one people rarely get to see. The thing that makes Moore one of the better passers in the country and one of the better football players in general is his accuracy as a passer. Moore currently leads the nation in pass efficiency and is completing over 71 percent of his passes, almost an unheard of feat. His four interceptions this season surpass last season’s total of three, but as long as Moore can complete 30-of-37 passes, like he did last week, it far from matters how many he ends up with to end the year.
4.) Justin Blackmon – Soph. – Oklahoma State – Wide Receiver
Last week: 13 rec. 173 yds, 1 TD – 1 rush, 69 yds, 1 TD – Beat Baylor
Season: 75 rec. 1,285 yds, 15 TD – 4 rush, 77 yds, 1 TD
Blackman didn’t skip a beat having to sit one game following a DUI arrest. The talented sophomore picked up right where he left off and then some. Blackmon didn’t only put up big numbers through the air like most fans have come accustomed to this fall, but he also rushed for a 69 yard touchdown against Baylor. Anyone who doesn’t believe wideouts should be in contention for the Heisman hasn’t seen Blackmon play because he’s made the entire Oklahoma State offense better this season. Fighting for balls downfield and like we saw Saturday making things happen once he gets the ball into his hands.
5.) Andrew Luck – Jr. – Stanford – Quarterback
Last week: 23-32 passing, 293 yds, 2 TD – 3 rush, 25 yds – Beat Arizona
Season: 175-258 passing, 2,213 yds, 22 TD, 6 INT – 43 rush, 370 yds, 3 TD
Luck continues to lead Stanford to wins. His Saturday win over Arizona was him most impressive yet. Luck’s performance against USC may have been better on the field but in terms of what the Arizona win means to the Cardinal season, Saturday’s was a bigger win. With Oregon looking like they’re heading to the National Title, Luck has the Cardinal on track for a Rose Bowl bid and himself a possible Heisman ceremony invitation. There may be quarterbacks with bigger numbers than Luck this season but not many are leading their teams like the heralded passer at Stanford.
*Stock up – Stock down – Neutral
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