Heisman Update: October 14th Edition

As we’re just about half way through the college football season and the BCS rankings are set to come out this weekend following the games, it’s time to take a look at where the Heisman frontrunners stand as of now.

So far, it’s been a two headed race between Big Ten quarterbacks, but with SEC teams pushing the Top 10 and other top ranked teams having their feature players featured, it’s still far from over.

1. Terrell Pryor, Quarterback, Ohio State
Pryor has developed by leaps and bounds from last season, and has become more of a complete passer than just an electrifying yet beatable scrambler. He has his team atop the rankings and for good reason, he’s been very consistent and playing as well if not better than Troy Smith during his Heisman season. He still needs to stay on top, because a Big Ten player in general with a loss or two looks a lot worse than a SEC quarterback with a loss or two.

2. Denard Robinson, Quarterback, Michigan
Before his loss to Michigan State in which he finally looked like an underclassman instead of the veteran version of Pat White at West Virginia, he was the top man. However, his loss shows that this team isn’t a BCS type contender, and this offense needs more playmakers outside of him for him to have a chance at the award.

3. Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State
Boise State may end up number one in the first edition of the BCS standings, and if so, you can’t deny that Kellen Moore, who is having maybe a better season than Colt McCoy had in his junior, Heisman-worthy season (and the two players are very comparable). Still, he needs his team to stay undefeated and if so, he’ll have a great shot at the award.

4. Cameron Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
Three weeks ago he was barely a mention on the Heisman trail, but with Auburn undefeated, in the Top 10, and challenging for an SEC title game berth as of now, he deserves a lot of attention. He has really done a great job in absorbing the system, maximizing the talent around him, and keeping his composure in late games. The team isn’t an overly impressive 6-0, but they still have a great shot to reach the SEC title game.

5. Taylor Martinez, Quarterback, Nebraska
Martinez has played very well, but he’s up here for three main reasons. One, he has some great, Heisman like plays thus far and doesn’t lose games for his team. Two, he has a great defense and offensive players around him to make his record and his stats better than most other quarterbacks. And three, he plays for one of the most prestigious football programs in the country. So, if he can stay relatively turnover free, make some big plays, and keep his team winning, he’ll have a great shot at the award.

6. LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon
The top offensive weapon on the number two team in the country and the Pac-10’s favorite, James deserves a lot of the credit if the Ducks can hang on to their Top 2 ranking by season’s end.

7. Marcus Lattimore, Running Back, South Carolina
A true freshman on the list? For how well he’s played thus far and making the older players around him better, it’s hard to rule him out, especially after that win over Alabama

8. Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
Fell because of his poor play against Alabama and his lackluster decision making at time, he’ll need to run the table in the SEC and continue to pad his stats if he wants to get up to the top half of the list.

9. Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
If TCU can remain undefeated, he’ll have a chance. But unless he really starts putting up some impressive numbers against good conference opponents, he’ll struggle for recognition if Boise State, Ohio State, Nebraska, or Oregon are close to the top still.

10. Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
Last year’s winner in on the fringe of being off this list with the loss to South Carolina. Still, he’ll be the main reason they get back in the SEC hunt, and he could explode now with himself being at full health and the team having a chip on their shoulder.