Heisman Watch: Oct. 13

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

Turns out Denard Robinson is human after all. The Michigan quarterback was everybody's Heisman front-runner until last week, when he faced the first decent defense he's seen all season.

Michigan State held the slippery sophomore to a mere 301 total yards and a couple of touchdowns, but forced Robinson into three interceptions in Michigan's first loss of the season, pushing him back into the middle of the pack of the top contenders for the most coveted individual trophy in sports. Here's my top five heading into Week 7:

1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: His numbers are outstanding, all he does is win games and there's absolutely zero reason to think he'll have a bad game anytime soon. His worst quarterback rating in a game this year was 134.11 in the season opener against Virginia Tech. He's gotten better each game since. Expect him to put up big numbers again Saturday against 1-5 San Jose State.


2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: His stats this season are gaudy even though he missed the Ducks' season opener. His next two games and probably four of Oregon's final six will be on national television in prime time, which is key for many early-to-bed Heisman voters on the east coast. James is the engine that makes the Ducks' pinball offense go, and he should run all over UCLA's D on Oct. 21.


3. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State: In Pryor's first two seasons, he seemed allergic to putting up flashy stats. But this year, he's throwing more — good for a Heisman candidacy — and throwing better — good for Ohio State's title hopes. His numbers through six games are almost identical to those of Troy Smith midway through his 2006 Heisman-winning season.


4. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan: Predictions of his candidacy's demise prior to the Michigan State game were numerous, and I don't expect him to revive his campaign this week against Iowa. But Robinson's ankle-breaking first half of 2010 has nonetheless been jaw-dropping. It's difficult to justify dumping a quarterback for 300 yards and two touchdowns, so he stays in my top five, but with the expectation that the Hawkeyes could announce an official time of death in Ann Arbor Saturday evening. If not, he still has Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State left on the schedule.


5. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn: Raise your hand if you thought back in the preseason that the only SEC Heisman candidate by mid-season would be the quarterback from Auburn. Now raise your hand if back in the preseason you knew the name of the quarterback from Auburn. Newton leads an offense that averages 37 points a game, and has been pretty steady in a couple of near-losses for the unbeaten No. 9 Tigers. Four of his last six games are at home, and three times he'll play in high-stakes tilts on national television. If he doesn't win the Heisman, it won't be because of a lack of exposure.