By Malik Smith
TheSportsLovers.com
2010-11-04
The 2010 race for the Heisman trophy has some of the most multi-talented players in recent memory. Three of the top players in the country have led their teams to undefeated records – Auburn, Oregon, Boise State — with more than half of the season gone. As of November 4 these six players are the favorites to take home the coveted hardware.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn – At this point, the junior quarterback is the clear favorite for the Heisman trophy. He has 1,573 yards passing, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. In his last game against Ole Miss, Newton posted 209 yards passing 2 touchdowns and even had a receiving touchdown in a 51-31 blowout win. What is just as impressive is that he’s dominating the SEC, which some consider the best conference in the country. I expect him to put up big numbers in his next game against Chattanooga this Saturday.
2. LaMichael James, Oregon – Running back LaMichael James is the motor that makes college football’s best offense run. The undefeated Ducks score nearly a point a minute and if James keeps up his pace he will shatter his stats from last year – 1,546 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. In seven games (James missed the first game of the season) this season James has 1210 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns including three 200-yard games. One of those games came against USC last week when James put up 239 yards and three touchdowns. James and the No.1-ranked team will take on Washington this Saturday.
3. Kellen Moore, Boise State – It may be the blue turf or the “soft” conference, but whatever it is Kellen Moore has Boise State close to the top of the polls with his play. Moore has 1,865 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. More impressive is the fact that he’s only thrown two interceptions on the season and he has completed 69.8% of his passes. Moore might be held back by his conference’s talent, but you can’t deny that his talent is off the charts.
4. Andrew Luck, Stanford – He has quietly put up huge numbers in the Pac-10, Luck is proving to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. With 1,920 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 345 rushing yards Luck has vaulted into the national picture. His next test will to lead his team to victory against #15 Arizona Saturday night.
5. Denard Robinson, Michigan/Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State – Fans of both teams will be very disappointed that I put these two players and teams together, but it’s hard to choose between the two. Shoelace Robinson is electric running the spread offense and has 1,287 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns as well as 1,509 passing yards and 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The only blemish is his team’s three straight loses to conference teams, but a big game against Illinois could help his stock. Pryor is still a threat in many phases. He can throw with the best (1,997 yards 20 touchdowns six interceptions) and run with the best (463 yards four touchdowns). His team’s loss to Wisconsin on the road hurt his stock, but Pryor has the best chance out of anyone to get back to the top of the Heisman list if he and the #11 Buckeyes win out the rest of their schedule with flair.
