Heisman Update: October 27th

The Heisman race this year has fluctuated along with the Top 25 and BCS rankings, which has changed wildly from week to week.

However, as we get closer to the end of the season, it’s looking more and more clear which players are the cream of the crop, and I think it’s safe to say these Top 10 are the only players who have a chance to win the award.

1. Cameron Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
The clear cut Heisman favorite, it’s the first time we can say that it’s one player’s to lose this year. Newton has played just as good as Vince Young did in his final season with the Texas Longhorns. In Newton’s case, there’s no Reggie Bush to (technically not) win the award over him.

2. Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State
As is usual with the non-BCS schools, Moore has not gotten enough respect. Moore has been as impressive statistically and in big games as previous college stud quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. Moore has done everything you can ask for, and if he finishes the season undefeated and finishes behind anyone but Newton, then it’s a major tragedy.

3. LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon
James is the feature weapon in the Oregon offense, and it’s customary for the Top 5 teams’ best player to be up for the award. However, as well as he’s played, the rest of the offense has been great as well, and he’ll need a BCS title berth to vault himself into strong consideration.

4. Terrelle Pryor, Quarterback, Ohio State
The loss to Wisconsin hurts his stock a lot, but just two weeks ago he was the top dog in the Heisman race. Now, however, he’ll need help from the teams above him to lose, he’ll need to run the table, and he’ll need to put up Cameron Newton type numbers.

5. Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
While he hasn’t been as impressive as Kellen Moore, Dalton’s record as a starter is nothing to sneeze at nor to ignore. Dalton’s stats aren’t overly impressive for his schedule, but if the Horned Frogs end up in the title game, he’ll be in strong consideration in the southwest part of the country.

6. Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
Last year’s winner has fallen way down this list, but in reality, a win over Auburn and another 800-1,000 yards on his current numbers push him right back to the forefront of the Heisman discussion. Still, voters are hesitate to give into a repeat winner.

7. Taylor Martinez, Quarterback, Nebraska
Among the “leaders” in the Heisman race two weeks ago, the loss to Oklahoma hurts him maybe more than any loss for the rest of the players on this list because his stock is greatly impacted by his program and how they finish the year. He needs to lead his team to the Big 12 championship game and have a great game on national TV to get back in the race.

8. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford
Almost the unquestioned top quarterback talent-wise in the country when it comes to the NFL draft, Luck hasn’t been in the national spotlight because of his loss to Oregon. This week against another top quarterback in Jake Locker gives Luck a chance to thrive under the pressure of this quarterback battle and a chance to get back in the running.

9. Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
In my opinion, Gabbert is right there with Ryan Mallett, Jake Locker, and Christian Ponder in respect to the NFL Draft in quarterback rankings behind Andrew Luck. And, with the big win over Oklahoma and another big match-up against Nebraska this week, Gabbert has a chance to reach a Chase Daniel level.

10. Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State
A guy who I personally have been raving about since last year’s bowl game against Texas Tech, Cousins has the skill set to be a great NFL starter one day. And as of now, he has the Spartans fighting for the top spot in the Big Ten and in the Top 5. A big match-up this week could go a long way in determining whether Cousins and the Spartans are contenders or pretenders.