Examining the 2010 Heisman Trophy race, ordering the potential candidates by threat level. This week: It's Cam "Cameron" Newton, and then everybody else.
Cam "Cameron" Newton, QB, Auburn
Ladies and gentlemen, Heisman voters everywhere: We have a statement game. Newton threw for 140 yards and rushed for 188 more in a home-stand barnburner, keeping the Tigers out front for a 65-43 victory over a top-flight Arkansas team. Can he do the same against an (ostensibly) actual defense? LSU-Auburn is appointment television for Week 8.
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Another steady performance by Moore in a blowout of San Jose State will keep his name in the Heisman Trophy race. Currently on pace to blow past 3,000 passing yards for a third consecutive season, he's thrown sixteen touchdown passes and one interception in 2010, and his QB rating hasn't dipped below 200 since the end of September.
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
Stays red-hot thanks to a bye week and the less-than-sparkling performances from several other major Heisman Trophy candidates. Should be interesting to see what he can do against UCLA's No. 92 rushing defense this Thursday night.
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
Last week we said: "Good at football Wisconsin may be, but good at defending the pass they most assuredly are not." Holding Terrelle Pryor under 200 yards and scoreless is a major milestone in 2010, and his rushing totals (56 yards, no touchdowns) were no better. Still on pace to throw for over 2500 yards, but in a year where so many of the legit Heisman Trophy candidates are running quarterbacks, he's got to be on fire every week down the stretch to stand out.
Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
With two straight losses and yet another injury (this week, a sprained shoulder), it's time to drop Robinson down a peg. He needs some serious help in the form of other capable running threats (and maybe a few defenders, to keep the Wolverines out of close games) in order to continue to lead this team effectively.
Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
Now, this is more like it. Dalton took advantage of a pedigreed but flailing BYU outfit to run up a 2010 personal-best 273 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. The season gets real for Dalton and TCU this Saturday, when Air Force comes to town for a primetime mid-major showdown.
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Was knocked out of the Auburn game early with a concussion, depriving a viewing public thirsty for giant quarterbacks of one of the year's most anticipated position duels. Cam Newton got the tiger's share of attention Saturday, and all the weekday chirping since has been praise of Mallett's extremely competent backup, Tyler Wilson. Big fella will need to put up some Paul Bunyan numbers on Ole Miss this Saturday afternoon to reenter the conversation (not that the Rebels should present any obstacle).
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Still trading on numbers from his USC win, Luck's sitting on a bye -- but a visit from Washington State is sure to bedazzle his stat sheet.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
A relative nonentity against Ole Miss, with just 60 yards rushing, seven receiving, and no scores.
Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Really starting to put up some monster numbers (we remind you, he's only a sophomore), and tied a single-game school touchdown record with five scoring passes against Cal in Week 7.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
As mid-major teams can expect their losses to cost them more dearly in the polls, so too can mid-major quarterbacks take an extra beating in the Heisman race for a loss. Kaepernick was held to just 31 rushing yards, half his previous season low, in the Pack's 27-21 loss at Hawaii.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Displayed his versatility by rushing for two touchdowns and catching another against Iowa State. It's Iowa State, sure, but the Sooners' status as newly-minted BCS frontrunners should get Murray more attention.
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Looking again like the player he was supposed to be this year, Locker set a personal record with five touchdown passes in a double-overtime win over Oregon State.
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
A consistently inconsistent producer this season, with consecutive rushing totals of 75, 132, 46, 145, 83, and 140 yards. Had a great outing against Washington, but if the pattern holds, look for a severe letdown in two weeks versus Cal.
John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
Vaunted Buckeyes defense, away! Clay's sixth 100-yard game in seven weeks was notable for being the first to come against any sort of real competition. Look for him to rise in the voting as the Badgers' schedule heats up.
Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Has never quite gotten back to his 257-yard opening-week blowout pace, but you can't play Washington State every week.
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
At the urging of some very persistent readers of this fine site, we welcome a receiver to the Heisman hopefuls. Blackmon topped the 200-yard mark against Texas Tech in a 34-17 'Pokes win.
Taylor Martinez, Marcus Lattimore, Jacory Harris, Patrick Peterson, Trent Richardson, Daniel Thomas, Christian Ponder.
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