Every week, we’ll take a look at the hottest names in the hunt for the 2011 Heisman. (Check out last week’s post.) Here are some of the top contenders heading into this weekend’s games:
Stanford QB Andrew Luck makes a lucky one-handed grab on the opposite side of the ball.
Andrew Luck – QB, Stanford
Luck continued his run toward the Heisman and the #1 draft pick with another stellar game last weekend against UCLA. He was 23 of 27 for 227 yards and 3 TDs, not to mention a flashy one-handed reception for 13 yards. He really can do it all, even call his own plays. Luck ran a no-huddle offense and called several plays at the line of scrimmage, drawing comparisons to NFL star Peyton Manning. Luck downplayed it, but Coach David Shaw said some of the QB’s calls were better than the coach’s. Playcaller or just QB, Luck figures to have another big game against Colorado (the Buffs’ first-year head coach Jon Embree said Luck might be the best player in college football – and he probably wasn’t exaggerating, Lou Holtz-style).
Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson made an easy transition from NC State to the Big Ten and a possibly the Heisman Awards ceremony.
Russell Wilson – QB, Wisconsin
Wilson didn’t exactly set the world on fire in his last season at NC State; if he had, he might still be there. Luckily for Wisconsin, the Wolfpack cut ties with the dual-sport athlete, who’s made himself at home in Madison and is having a stellar season. Wilson has 1391 passing yards on the year, with 13 TDs and just one interception. He and the Badgers are on a tear that should continue for another week at the very least. After making quick work of new Big Ten rival Nebraska, Wilson and Wisconsin host Indiana, currently one of the Big Ten’s bottom feeders.
Kellen Moore – QB, Boise State
He had an abnormally inefficient night against Nevada, throwing for just 146 yards, fewer than at any point during his career. Moore missed several wide open receivers and was reportedly favoring a sore knee for the second week in a row. Still, he’s accumulated 1137 yards this season, with 14 TDs and 4 INTs, and he’s good enough overall (read: very good) that one game won’t set him too far back in the race.
Denard Robinson – QB, Michigan
Last week, I wrote “As a passer, he could be better.” He proved it with his best passing game of the year as the Wolverines embarrassed Minnesota, 58-0. Robinson completed his first 11 passes en route to going 15 of 19 for 169 yards. He didn’t show off his fast feet as much this game, rushing for just 51 yards, but he completed 78.9% of his passes for 2 TDs and 0 INTs. On the season, he has 77 carries for 603 yards and 6 TDs, and 793 yards in the air, with 8 TDs and 6 INTs.
Robert Woods – WR, USC
USC QB Matt Barkley set a school record for passing yards in a single-game last week against Arizona, and it wouldn’t have happened without Robert Woods, who’s already set some school records of his own this season. He came close to another one this week, with 14 receptions for 255 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown. After last week, he leads the nation in receiving yards, with 55 catches for 747 yards and 6 TDs this year.
Ray Graham – RB, Pitt
Graham moves onto the list, replacing (probably only temporarily) Marcus Lattimore, who was shut down by Auburn last weekend. Graham, on the other hand, exploded with a 226-yard rushing game and 2 TDs against USF, with a few receptions and kick returns thrown in. The current Big East Offensive Player of the Week, Graham’s averaging 147 yards per game and has 126 carries for 734 yards and 8 TDs in 2011. His big brother, Kaheeme Greene, a Rutgers linebacker, will attempt to put a stopper on Graham’s Heisman runs this week as the Scarlet Knights face off with the Panthers.
