Heisman Candidates

Three weeks have passed.  Just enough time to see how the top players are performing against usually vastly inferior talent levels.  Lets take a look at my top five Heisman candidates TODAY:

1.  Jahvid Best - California Running Back

Best began the season on the fringe of the Heisman discussion.  With the "Big 3" of Bradford, McCoy, and Tebow all coming back, it figured to be a tough nut to crack to get into the discussion.  But Best is that good.  Best is 3rd in the nation in rushing with 412 yards and 1st in touchdowns with 9, and that is with teams keying on him.  If you read my blog you know I LOVE Best.  He tends to make his way into most of my posts.  But he deserves it.  This guy has all the skills to be a Heisman contender and a top end first round pick in the NFL draft.  I don't think he will win the award overall because it will take so much to overtake McCoy and Tebow nationally, and west coast players are hardly ever on TV during the day on the east coast so voters don't really ever see you play.  But right now, no one has played better than Jahvid Best.

2.  Colt McCoy - Texas Quaterback

McCoy was a popular pick for Heisman winner at the start of the season with both Bradford and Tebow already having one.  Plus, people will be very hard-pressed to vote another multiple winner.  It may happen with Tebow if the Gators do go undefeated, but it will take a fantastic statistical season which he isn't having so far.  Colt sits 9th in the nation with 859 yards, but only 6 touchdowns which is tied for 13th nationally.  Colt also isn't rushing very much this season.  He led the horns on the ground last season, but has just 46 yards on the ground.  But that is more because he actually has a quality running game this season than it is anything against Colt's abilities.  The Horns sit positioned for the BCS title game and as long as that doesn't change, McCoy will stay near the top of the race.

3.  Tony Pike - Cincinnati Quarterback

You might not have heard of Tony Pike before this season, but I'll guarantee you will by the end of it.  Pike sits 8th nationally in passing with 923 yards and 8 touchdowns, tied for 5th.  The Bearcats have the disadvantage of playing in the Big East and by playing a mostly weak out of conference schedule.  But they are beating who they are supposed to beat in ways they are supposed to win.  They embarassed Rutgers @ Rutgers on opening weekend and throttled SE Missouri State in week 2.  Lets not forget winning across the country @ Oregon State last weekend.  Pike will have at least two more chances to play on national television to impress the voters.

4.  Tim Tebow - Florida Quarteback

I actually have a hard time putting Tebow into this category at this point in the season, but I'll admit, I have to vote with history on this one.  The Great One sits just 67th in passing with 540 yards, but he's also only thrown the ball 58 times.  At 9.3 yards/attempt, he would fall near the top of the NCAA in that category......I couldn't find the official stat, but I only saw four quarterbacks averaging more than 10 YPA.  Tebow's 5 TDs are tied for just 27th as well, but again, not many attempts to go with so far.  Tebow has really only played one full game since the Gators blew out their first two opponents.  Until he costs Florida a game and they drop from the BCS picture, he has to stay in the top five.

5.  Jake Locker - Washington Quarterback

I can't think of one player who has effected his team's fortunes more than Locker.  The Huskies go from win-less one season, and beating USC in the next with the only real difference being a healthy Locker.  If you remember, Washington nearly defeated BYU to start the 2008 season before Locker went down, but a phantom excessive celebration call helped Washington miss an overtime extra point.  Locker is 11th nationally in passing with 811 yards and tied for 27th with 5tds.  With only a 7.7 yards/attempt average however, dont' expect to see Locker on the short list of Heisman candidates UNLESS Washington somehow makes the Rose Bowl - which they do control their own destiny for at this point.  But that's about as likely as Sports Illustrated calling me telling me they love my blog and want me to write for them!  But for now, the leader of the hottest team in CFB right now deserves to make the short list.

On the edge:
Taylor Potts - Texas Tech Quarterback
Jacory Harris - Miami Quarterback
Daryll Clark - Penn State Quarterback
Ryan Mallett - Arkansas Quarterback
Kellen Moore - Boise State Quarterback
Ryan Williams - Virginia Tech Running Back
Evan Royster - Penn State Running Back