Last week was a wild week of college football. Some of the teams toward the top had fallen or stumbled a bit. That means some movement in the Heisman Trophy race.1. Vince Young, QB, Texas, Jr.
Vince Young played a very good game last Saturday. Young passed for 236 yards and 2 TD’s. He also had a 68.2 completion percentage and only 1 INT. Young rushed for 108 yards and a TD. Young has been doing damage with both his arms and his legs and winning Texas football games. In my mind, this upcoming game will be the true test for Vince Young since they are playing Oklahoma and have not won the past few years. If Vince can win them the Red River Shootout that will just be another notch in Young’s belt and more of a reason for Vince to win the Heisman.
2. Reggie Bush, RB, USC, Jr.
It was a tough time trying to determine who should be number 2 between Leinart and Bush. I felt that after this week, Bush had really made a statement while Leinart did not. Bush is becoming more valuable to his team and more dangerous to everyone else. Last week, Bush and LenDale White won the game for USC. Bush rushed for 158 yards on 17 touches and caught a pass for 4 yards. He also had 2 TD’s and a 9.3 yard rushing average. Bush is becoming the X factor game after game and I thought that this last performance really put him over the hump.
3. Matt Leinart, QB, USC, Sr.
Some people may be outraged that Leinart is not number 1 let alone number 3 but I think you have to look at the game play and the stats. Firstly, we have realized the Leinart is human. He bled yes he actually bled. I give him credit for staying in there after he got walloped by an ASU player. He didn’t have that great of a game last week and his stats have been decreasing gradually over the season. Last week he passed for 258 yards and no TD’s. He actually did have a rushing TD but a miserable completion percentage, completing 59% of his passes. I think the past few weeks it has been shown that part of Leinart’s success last year was due to Norm Chow. I think that also Leinart can be stopped and opposing teams will find a way to do it.
4. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame, Jr.
Brady Quinn has played just flat out great so far this season. I think last weeks performance really catapulted him in this race and made him a real contender. Last week I didn’t have him anywhere on the list but this week I didn’t forget about him and put him at number four. Last week Quinn completed 29 of 36 passes and 440 yards. He also threw for 3 TD’s and an INT. Brady Quinn has just been lights out for Notre Dame and has been playing sharp under Charlie Weis’ system. Quinn is proving that he is not a fraud and in convincing fashion. This upcoming game versus USC could be one of the biggest games of his college career. Look for a real dogfight on Saturday between Notre Dame and USC and their quarterbacks.
5. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State, Jr.
Drew Stanton didn’t play that great last week but can’t be fully blamed for Michigan State’s loss to Michigan. Stanton threw for 282 yards and an uncharacteristic 1 TD and 1 INT. Drew Stanton is still a very good QB and is leading a very explosive offense. Next week, Michigan State will be playing Ohio State and that will be a test for Stanton and his supporting cast. They will be facing, arguably, one of the best linebacking corps in the nation. It will really be an interesting game next week.
Outside looking in:
Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota, Jr.
Laurence Maroney got completely stopped last week as the Penn State defense stacked the box with 8 guys. Maroney rushed for a career low, 48 yards on 16 attempts. Maroney is still one of the best running backs in the country and is still in the mix for a 2,000 yard season and/or the Heisman trophy.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis, Sr.
This guy is moving up my list and fast. Williams is another threat for a 2,000 yard season. Last week he rushed for 236 yards and 2 TD’s. This year he has rushed for a whopping 749 yards, 46 more yards then Maroney. We will have to see how well he does with more difficult opponents.
Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama, Sr.
Croyle and Alabama ran over Florida last week, beating them 31-3. Croyle hasn’t had to throw very much, but when he does, he does it great. He has stepped up in big games and could be a legitimate Heisman Contender.
Brian Calhoun, RB, Wisconsin, Jr.
Calhoun had a good game against my beloved Indiana and has been consistent all year. He has been very valuable to Wisconsin and is another running back that has reached the 700+ yard mark.
Marcus Vick, QB, Virginia Tech, Jr.
This is Mr. Vick’s induction into my watch. He has led his team to an undefeated season so far and has been a dual-threat for Virginia Tech. His stock is rising at this point and could have some movement in my watch.