Heisman Watch

I'm on the verge of changing the title of this blog to the Best QB in the Big XII. Four of my top five Heisman favorites this week are from the Big XII. With the Red River Shootout at the center of the college football universe this week, there's no reason to think that trend will change any time soon.

Here are my guys:



1. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 6 vs. Nebraska
18-23 253 yards 3 tds

Season Totals
119- 166 692 yards 15 tds 1 int

Daniel had yet another huge game last week. Chase lead his Tigers in a romp over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I feel vindicated for keeping Daniel in my top spot after a bye week. Not only is Daniel the front runner for the Heisman now, he may actually be pulling away.




2. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 6 vs. Baylor
23-31 372 yards 2 tds 1 int

Season Totals
106- 146 1665 yards 18 tds 3 ints

Daniel may be the clear favorite for the Heisman right now, but Bradford has a great opportunity to impress some people this week. Bradford will lead his Sooners to Dallas, as they look to knock off the Texas Longhorns. If Sammy and his Sooners win convincingly, Bradford will be catapulted to the top of this list.



3. Graham Harrell - Texas Tech QB

Week 6 vs. Kansas St.
38-51 454 yards 6 tds

Season Totals
158-237 2027 yards 18 tds 3 int

Graham Harrell is a new edition to my top 5 this week. He's been lingering in my next five list for a while, however. Harrell turned in another great game last week in a blowout game against the Kansas St. Wildcats. The competition will get tougher for Harrell and the Red Raiders. Tech may have to run the table for Harrell to pass up Bradford and Daniel on this list.



4. Donald Brown - Connecticut RB

Week 6 vs. North Carolina
33 161 yards 1 td

Season Totals
177 1127 yards 12 tds

Alright, we needed a break from Big XII QB's. Despite his team's loss to the Tar Heels, Donal Brown moves up a spot on my list. He is quietly becoming the best back in the nation. It will be between Brown and Javon Ringer for that title this year. Unfortunately for Donald, Ringer has more opportunities to garner some recognition.



5. Colt McCoy - Texas QB

Week 6 vs. Colorado
Passing
23-30 262 yards 2 tds 2 ints
Rushing
11 39 yards

Season Totals
Passing
103- 130 1280 yards 16 tds 3 ints
Rushing
45 317 yards 4 tds

Now back to Big XII quarterbacks. Colt McCoy is playing a lot like Tim Tebow did last year. And we all know how that turned out. Colt could be on the fast track to the Heisman if his Horns can pull off the win in Dallas this week. That's a BIG IF!


The Next Five:

1. Javon Ringer Michigan St. RB
2. Jarrett Dillard Rice WR
3. Jeremy Maclin Missouri WR
4. Dez Bryant Oklahoma St. WR
5. Derrick Williams Penn St. WR
   

Heisman Watch

This past week's upsets diminished a lot of Heisman hopes for some. It also widened the national spotlight on a few players that are sort of flying under the radar.

Here is my latest edition of my "award-winning" Heisman watch.


1. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 5 - Bye

Season Totals
101-143 439 yards 12 tds 1 int


Chase Daniel had a bye week this past week. Despite not playing, Daniel still remains in my number 1 spot. He is probably the best QB in the Big XII. Which would also make him the best in the nation. The Tigers will begin their conference slate this week, so we'll see if Daniel can keep this up.




2. Javon Ringer - Michigan St. RB

Week 5 vs. Indiana
44 198 yards 1 td

Season Totals
187 897 yards 12 tds

Ringer remains in my shit spot after another solid performance against the Hoosiers. The rest of the nation is starting to hop on the Ringer bandwagon. Let's hope he can carry them with the already heavy load his has in the Spartan offense.





3. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 5 vs. TCU
19-34 411 yards 4 tds


Season Totals
83-115 1293 yards 16 tds 2 ints

Bradford put in another great performance against top 25 TCU. The Sooner offense is looking scary good, and Bradford looks damn near unstoppable. The Sooner schedule is going to be getting a lot tougher than it has been, so we'll see if Sammy can hold out in my top 5.




4. Colt McCoy - Texas QB

Week 5 vs Arkansas
Passing
17-19 185 yards 3 tds
Rushing
9 84 yards 2 tds

Season Totals
Passing
80-100 1018 yards 14 tds 1 int
Rushing
34 278 yards 4 tds

McCoy is trying to play the role of this year's Tim Tebow. He has been a scoring machine on the ground and through the air for the Longhorns. McCoy gives the Big XII three QB's in my extremely prestigious list. Colt has spent the entire season thus far in my "next five" list. We'll see how he handles being one of my 5 "main guys."




5. Donald Brown - Connecticut RB

Week 5 vs. Louisville
33 190 yards 1 td

Season Totals
146 906 yards 11 tds

Donald Brown sneaks his way into my top 5 this week. Thanks to Pat White sucking total ass and LeSean McCoy playing like a used douchebag, Brown is easily the best player in the Big East. Connecticut is proving me wrong by playing some really good football and Donald Brown has been a big part of that. Randy Edsall should be at a bigger school this time next year. (Washington or Tennessee?)


The Next Five:

1. Jarett Dillard Rice WR
2. Graham Harrell Texas Tech QB
3. Jeremy Maclin Missouri WR
4. Percy Harvin Florida WR
5. Charles Scott LSU RB
   

Heisman Watch

With each passing week, more and more Heisman "contenders" are filtered out of the system. The same was true for this past week. Chase Clement is no longer a dark horse candidate after he laid an egg vs. Texas. Rudy Carpenter removed his name from the hat as well.

There is a ton of candidates still out there vying for position on my prestigious Heisman list. Without further ado, here is this week's Heisman watch.


1. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 4 vs. Buffalo
36-43 439 yds 2 tds

Season Totals
101-143 1412 yds 12 tds 1 int

Daniel put in another quality performance against Buffalo this week. The Missouri offense is clicking rather nicely right now. The Tigers are easily the most impressive offense in this early season. Daniel has not used his feet quite as much as last year, but with his passing numbers, he won't have to.




2. Javon Ringer - Michigan St. RB

Week 4 vs. Notre Dame
39 201 yds 2 tds

Season Totals
143 699 yds 11 tds


Ringer was under considerable pressure this week after he made my Heisman watch for the first time last week. Javon ran right through that pressure like a cowering Notre Dame safety. Ringer once again carried his Spartans to a victory. No other tailback in the nation carries the load of his team more than Ringer does. As a class move, Javon did his postgame interview with his entire offensive line behind him.


3. Knowshon Moreno - Georgia RB

Week 4 vs. Arizona St.
23 149 yds 2 tds

Season Totals
69 455 yds 9 tds


While Ringer is the workhorse type tailback, Moreno is the electrifying, highlight inducing tailback. We all know highlights are what make Heisman winners. Moreno performed another acrobatic leap this week, this time for a score in the Bulldogs win in the desert. If Moreno performs the same against 'Bama, he could jump to the top of this list.


4. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 4 - Bye

Season Totals
64-81 882 yds 12 tds 2 ints

Bradford slips a bit this week just because he didn't play. I reward no one for not playing! (Except maybe Tebow) Bradford will face a stiff test against TCU this week. If he's able to pass with flying colors, he should be right back at the top of this list.



5. Tim Tebow - Florida QB

Week 4 vs. Tennessee
Passing
8-15 96 yds 2 tds
Rushing
12 26 yds

Season Totals
Passing
38- 64 489 yds 5 tds
Rushing
34 118 yds

Sure Tebow's numbers aren't going to blow anybody away this season. However, he is playing very good football right now for a dominant Gator football team. Tebow has yet to turn the ball over this season. Also, as the defending Heisman award winner, Tebow will stay on this list until he screws up.


The Next Five

1. Colt McCoy Texas QB
2. Graham Harrell Texas Tech QB
3. Jeremy Maclin Missouri WR
4. Donald Brown Connecticut RB
5. Brandon James Florida RS
   

Heisman Watch

The Heisman race is starting to gain a little more clarity after week 3. That being said, it is still extremely difficult to pick the top performers after only 2 or 3 games.

As you might have noticed, there has been a great degree of variance from week to week in my Heisman watch.

Here is this week's edition.


1. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 3 vs. Washington
18-21 304 yards 5 tds

Season Totals
64-81 882 yards 12 tds 2 ints


Once again, Bradford put in another brilliant performance. This guy is one of the more efficient passers in the nation. I believe he is already better than Jason White and Josh Heupel, 2 of Bob Stoops' most accomplished QB's. The Big XII is a conference of quarterbacks, and Sam Bradford is the best of them.



2. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 3 vs. Nevada
23-38 405 yards 4 tds

Season Totals
65-100 973 yards 10 tds 1 int


Bradford might be the best QB in the Big XII, but Chase Daniel is very close behind him. Daniel put up some monstrous numbers against a very solid Nevada team. Daniel seems to be a shoe-in to make it back-to-back trips to New York City this season. Daniel to Maclin is fast becoming the most dangerous duo in the nation.



3. Tim Tebow - Florida QB

Week 3 Bye

Season Totals
Passing- 30-49 393 yards 3 tds
Rushing- 22 92 yards

Nothing new for Tebow as his Florida Gators had a bye week. Tennessee is coming up next for Florida. That's really good news for Tebow. He always seems to kick it up a notch for the Vols.




4. Javon Ringer - Michigan St. RB

Week 3 vs. Florida Atlantic
43 282 yards 2 tds

Season Totals
104 498 yards 9 tds


Ringer is a new addition to my top 5. His monster performance earned him Big Eleven offensive player of the week honors. Ringer is the truest definition of a workhorse. Michigan St. will look to ride him to a possible Big Eleven championship.



5. Knowshon Moreno - Georgia RB

Week 3 vs. South Carolina
20 79 yards 1 tds

Season Totals
46 306 yards 7 tds


Moreno didn't put up staggering numbers this week. However, he did score a touchdown against a very tough Gamecock defense. Moreno is still the most exciting back in the country. For that, he remains in my top 5. Imagine the numbers he would be able to put up if Stafford stopped chucking kegs long enough to throw a decent pass.



The Next Five

1. Colt McCoy Texas QB
2. Graham Harrell Texas Tech QB
3. Jeremy Maclin Missouri WR
4. Chase Clement Rice QB
5. Mark Sanchez USC QB
   

Heisman Watch

Week 2 was filled with some great games that provided opportunities for great players to shine. For the most part, the Heisman contenders faced stiffer competition in week 2 than they did in week 1.

Here is my Heisman watch list heading into this week.


1. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 2 vs. Cincinnati
29-38 395 yards 5 td 2 int

Season Totals
46- 60 578 yards 7 td 2 int

Bradford was nearly flawless vs a very stingy Cincinnati defense. His Sooners put up 52 points against the Bearcats D. I expected the game to be a lot closer than what it was, but Bradford just took the contest over. I believe this guy is the best QB in the Big 12, if not the nation. It would be interesting to see if he can keep up his stunning efficiency throughout the season.




2. Tim Tebow - Florida QB

Week 2 vs. Miami(FL)
Passing- 21-35 256 yards 2 td
Rushing- 13 55 yards

Season Totals
Passing- 30-49 393 yards 3 td
Rushing- 22 92 yards

Timmy still has yet to rush for a touchdown this season. His total of 3 touchdowns through the first two games are well below his pace of last season. However, Tebow is still playing mistake free football for the Gators, and he seemed to shine down the stretch against in-state rival Miami. If Tebow keeps up his steady play, he should be a lock to get invited to NYC.


3. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 2 vs. SE Missouri St.
16-17 245 yards 3 td

Season Totals
42- 62 568 yards 6 td 1 int

Daniel is still playing pretty impressive football for the Tigers. Missouri is looking more and more like a national title contender. Daniel is making less plays with his feet this season, but his passing his on par with some of the nation's best. Daniel didn't even play a full game against SE Missouri St. and he still managed to put up some gaudy numbers.



4. Knowshon Moreno - Georgia RB

Week 2 vs. Central Michigan
18 168 yards 3 td

Season Totals
26 227 yards 6 td

Knowshon is averaging a sick 3 touchdowns a game so far this season. Moreno showed no ill effects of the minor hamstring injury he suffered against Georgia Southern in Week 1. Knowshon helped Georgia wipe out a very decent MAC team in Central Michigan. Moreno has catapulted himself back into my top 5.


5. Chase Clement - Rice QB

Week 2 vs. Memphis
Passing- 26-44 318 yards 1 td 2 int
Rushing- 15 80 yards 2 td

Season Totals
Passing- 50-81 576 yards 7 td 2 int
Rushing- 28 167 yards 2 td

Clement is a dark horse Heisman candidate to say the least. He has the Owls headed in the right direction to start the season. Clement and WR Jarrett Dillard are among the best pass/catch tandems in the country. Granted, Clement's numbers have come against SMU and Memphis, but his numbers are very impressive nonetheless.


The Next Five

1. Colt McCoy Texas QB
2. P.J. Hill Wisconsin RB
3. Jahvid Best California RB
4. Chris Wells Ohio St. RB
5. David Johnson Tulsa QB
   

Heisman Watch

It's hard to pick the players that stand out after week 1. You have to take into account the players getting used to new teammates, new schemes, etc. Also, it's hard to take stats for what they are when teams are beating up on cupcakes in week 1.

That being said, I promised to do a Heisman list after each week. Since I am a man of my word, here is my official "Heisman Watch" after week 1.


1. Pat White - West Virginia QB

Week 1 vs. Villanova
Passing - 25-33 208 yards 5 td 1 int
Rushing - 9 63 yards

Pat White had his best passing performance in week 1. The five touchdown passes and 25 completions are both career highs for White. PW also overcame a weak performance by RB Noel Devine against 'Nova. We'll see if White can get more help against East Carolina.


2. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB

Week 1 vs. Chattanooga
17-22 183 yards 2 td

Bradford's stats aren't mind boggling for week 1. However, you have to take into account that Bradford didn't play the whole game due to Oklahoma's dominance over the Mocs. Bradford's amazing efficiency is what's keeping him this high on my list. He should face a stiffer challenge against Cincy next week.







3. Chris Wells - Ohio St. RB

Week 1 vs. Youngstown St.
13 111 yards 1 td

Of course the big story from week 1 was Wells' foot injury against Youngstown St. The diagnosis is good for Wells, and Beanie should be back just as strong for the Buckeyes. Lost in all the injury talk was the great game that Wells was having before he left. I don't know if Beanie will play against Ohio, but his performance against the Penguins has kept him on my Heisman watch for at least another week.






4. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB

Week 1 vs. Illinois
Passing - 26-45 323 yards 3 td 1 int
Rushing - 9 46 yards

Chase Daniel faced the toughest competition of anyone on this list. Fortunately for Daniel the Illini's defense is not their strong point. Daniel was able to dissect the Illinois' secondary through the air in the Tigers' 52-42 victory in St. Louis. Daniel should better his numbers against SE Missouri St. next week.






5. Tim Tebow - Florida QB

Week 1 vs. Hawaii
Passing - 9-14 137 yards 1 td
Rushing - 9 37 yards

Tebow didn't have a huge day statistically against Hawaii in Week 1. However, much like Sam Bradford, Tebow sat out when the game was out of hand. Tebow's NCAA record of 14 straight games with at least one rushing AND passing touchdown was snapped in the game. Tebow did come excruciatingly close to scoring on the ground on a nice reversal in the second quarter. Tebow should put up better numbers against Miami this week.




The Next Five

1. Colt McCoy Texas QB
2. Chase Clement Rice QB
3. Knowshon Moreno Georgia RB
4. Jeremy Maclin Missouri WR
5. P.J. Hill Wisconsin RB