Spiller, Keenum Star in "A Tale of Two Heisman Hopefuls"

At the beginning of this season, pundits were worried about the potential of a soporific Heisman race featuring the three best quarterbacks in the country, and no one else. But one Sam Bradford injury and a handful of pedestrian showings in big games from Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow have reopened the race and this year's field features names from beyond the glamour of the highest heights, like C.J. Spiller and Case Keenum. After today's early games, one will soar and one will plummet.

It was the best of times for Clemson's stud: Spiller continued his all-purpose throttling of the ACC, accruing one passing, one rushing, and one receiving touchdown in a 43-23 thumping of NC State. He has 15 total touchdowns this year, which pales in comparison to Keenum's impressive statistical resume.

All of Keenum's numbers will mean far less after his Houston Cougars spit the bit at UCF today, losing 37-32. Many of his 387 yards in that game came in a desperate comeback attempt after falling behind 37-20 midway through the fourth quarter, and Keenum's 33-of-57 outing was the first time he has failed to complete more than 60 percent of his throws this year.

For a mid-major quarterback to win a Heisman in this day and age, it will requires stats that pop off a page and a team that inserts itself into the BCS picture. Houston's loss today means that Keenum doesn't fit that bill. But not much has to happen for Spiller to be holding that statue next month: He gets "athlete" points for being a non-quarterback and a highlight reel of his season would probably meet any metric for spectacular plays.

And, at this point, maybe his ability to make those plays makes him the best candidate for the trophy intended for the best player in the country. No one else seems poised to purloin it.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.