Ranking the 10 Best Quarterbacks in College Football

How do you like your college football quarterback? Do you like a QB that is rough and rugged, one with a quick release, or a guy with a gun for an arm? Does your leader need to be able to scramble out of the pocket to buy time for his wide receivers to keep the play alive?

How about a player that lines up under center with gaudy offensive numbers or a dual threat speed demon that can eat up chunks of yards with his feet as well as his arm?

Whatever your preference is in a quarterback, this year’s college football class has the talent to make any fan happy.

The following article breaks down each individual quarterback giving the highlights and lowlights of the 10 best college football quarterbacks in the nation with the reasons why they are better than all the rest.

10) Tajh Boyd, Clemson University, Sophomore, 6’1”, 230 lbs

Clemson was slated to be a .500 team by most college football pundits entering 2011 play. Once the season began college football took notice of the upstart Tigers behind the heady play of Tajh Boyd… and he’s only a sophomore.

Boyd led Clemson to eight straight wins to start the season on the way to a 9-3 regular season record. The Tigers play Virginia Tech in the ACC Conference Championship Game for the right to represent the ACC in a BCS Bowl game on Saturday.

The Highlights:

11 straight games with 200 yards or more passing, 28 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a QB Rating of 143.1 for the season. 17th in the nation in passing yards per game with 278. Boyd leads the ACC in total passing yards with 3,338.

Clemson had quality wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech.

The Lowlights:

Boyd had a horrible game against South Carolina, 11-29, 83 yards passing, 5 sacks, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception. The Gamecocks rolled over the Tigers 34-13 to end the regular season for both teams.

Boyd was sacked 27 times during the season.

9) Russell Wilson, University of Wisconsin, Senior, 5’11”, 201 lbs

Wilson, a senior transfer from North Carolina State, has made an immediate impact for the Badgers. His noticeably seamless ease into the role of the new starting quarterback for Wisconsin has paid dividends as Wisconsin is two Hail Mary plays away from being undefeated and playing for a BCS National Championship.

Wilson’s numbers may not overwhelm but his results do. Sporting a 10-2 record entering the inaugural Big Ten Conference Championship Game, the Badgers have an opportunity to defend a last second loss to Michigan State, this time the game is on a neutral field. Can Wilson lead Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row?

The Highlights:

Wilson has two 300-yard passing games on the year, has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this season with five rushing touchdowns. His passing yards per game ranks him 46th in the nation with 224 per game.

Other than Wilson’s ridiculous 192.9 quarterback rating, his most impressive stat may be the three interceptions he’s thrown in 260 pass attempts against a defense first conference.

The Lowlights:

Wilson put up more passing yards at North Carolina State during his junior and sophomore campaigns, 3,563 in 2010 and 3,027 in 2009. The trade off for passing yards has been fewer interceptions thrown, a better team record, and the ability to rely on running back Montee Ball.

Ball is second total rushing yards in college football with 1,622 yards and two games left to play.

Wilson’s statistics will not get him an invite to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony but his leadership and play for Wisconsin has been tremendous. He leads FBS in quarterback rating, is fifth in completion percentage, and is second in yards per completions with an average of 10.4 yards per.

If more was asked of Wilson one can only imagine how gaudy his numbers would be.

8) Nick Foles, University of Arizona, Senior, 6’5”, 240 lbs

Foles has NFL ability and gaudy passing statistics to prove it despite having very little overall talent around him. The Wildcats are 4-8 on the season with tough losses at USC and at Oregon State. Without him Arizona might be winless.

Foles is second in the nation in total passing yards with 4,334. Because the Wildcats have played their last game of the season, Foles may drop to fifth or sixth by the end of the postseason.

The Highlights:

2-1 touchdown to interception ratio (28-14), 10 games with over 300-yards passing (two of those games he went over 400-yards), and averaged 32.25 completions per game.

Foles has a completion percentage of 69.1. He is second in college football in total passing attempts and completions with 560 and 387 respectively.

He can play against the “big boys”: In 2011 Foles threw for 398 yards against Oklahoma State, 398 against Oregon, 425 against USC, and 388 against Washington.

The last three years Foles has progressively gotten better. His numbers are amazing especially considering all opposing defensive coordinators know they have to try and stop Foles somehow but never do.

The Lowlights:

Foles takes a lot of sacks – 23 in 2011 and 23 in 2010. How much of this is his fault and how much is the play of the offensive line can be debated. Considering the entire offense rests on his ability to throw the ball, all in all he has played really well.

7) Matt Barkley, University of Southern California, Junior, 6’2”, 220 lbs

Matt Barkley is a college quarterback candidate who may leave college early for NFL riches. The shame for USC fans is if Barkley returns for the 2012 season the Trojans will more than likely be a Top 10 preseason team.

The Trojans will also have something to play for in 2012 as 2011 is their last season under NCAA post season sanctions stemming from Reggie Bush’s NCAA violations.

Even without much motivation or overall team goals to shoot for, Barkley has led the Trojans to a 10-2 season and what would have been a PAC-12 South Division Title.

The Highlights:

Barkley has a 39-7 TD-INT ratio, six games of 300-yards or more passing, and has only been sacked 8 times. He has a passing touchdown in every game this season with two games of six passing touchdowns against Colorado and UCLA.

The Lowlights:

Barkley puts up great numbers but has games when he underachieves against better competition. Against Arizona State he finished 21-33 for 227 yards passing, against California he went 19-35 for 195 yards, and 24-35 against Notre Dame for 224 yards.

Truth be told, Barkley could use one more year of seasoning in college football.

6) Case Keenum, University of Houston, Senior, 6’2”, 210 lbs

Keenum may be a product of the offensive system he is in, regardless, he delivers.

The Cougars are 12-0 entering Conference USA’s Conference Title Game against No. 24 Southern Mississippi. If Houston beats Southern Mississippi on Saturday, Houston will play in their first BCS Bowl.

The Highlights:

Keenum leads college football in just about every major passing category including total passing yards (4,726), passing touchdowns (43), completion percentage with a minimum of 300 attempts (73.2), and has only thrown 3 picks this season (14-1 TD-INT ratio).

His 393.83 passing yards per game leads FBS despite having fewer total passing attempts than 6 of the Top 10 quarterbacks in college football. Put in other terms, he’s more efficient than his counterparts.

Every Houston game during the 2011 season has finished with Keenum throwing for more than 300 yards; six of those games Keenum threw for more than 400 yards with one of those games going for 534.

If he throws one touchdown pass against Southern Miss he will tie his previous single season highs of 44 set in 2009 and 2008.

The Lowlights:

Keenum threw for more yards in 2009 (5,671) and 2008 (5,020).

Conference USA does not get the respect of the other power conferences; one could debate the level of play between the Big East and Conference USA. College football fans will always wonder how well Keenum would have performed playing against power conference teams every week.

UCLA was the lone BCS program Keenum faced in 2011; his first game back from a season ending knee injury in 2010 that occurred against UCLA. He finished the game 30-40 for 310 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

If Keenum puts up video game passing numbers in Houston’s bowl game his spot on the Top Quarterback list would jump dramatically. He will finally have an opportunity to prove himself against top tier competition.

5) Landry Jones, University of Oklahoma, Junior, 6’4”, 229 lbs

Will he stay or will he go? Entering the 2011 season Jones and company were preseason No. 1. The Sooners 9-2 team record may not have turned out the way he wanted but few could argue the success that Jones has had under center. The big question for Jones is will he stay on campus for one more year or pass up his senior year for NFL riches?

The Highlights:

Jones has eight games with 300 or more yards passing, ranks third in FBS in passing yards per game with 368, and averages 28 completions per game.

The Lowlights:

One can question the toughness of Big 12 defenses and the offensive numbers put up within conference play. Five of the top 20 passing quarterbacks in college football sling it around the Big 12; Seth Doege (Texas Tech), Brandon Weeden (OSU), Jones, Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M), and Robert Griffin III (Baylor).

Are Big 12 quarterbacks that good or is pass defense an afterthought in that conference?

Texas is the only Big 12 team ranked in the Top 25 in total team defense.

In OU’s biggest non-conference game against Florida State, Jones finished 18-27 passing for 199 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

4) Tyler Wilson, University of Arkansas, Junior, 6’3”, 220 lbs

Tyler Wilson is a first year starter playing behind an average offensive line. All stats can be skewed but college football fans have to wonder how much better Wilson’s numbers could be if his offensive line gave him time to throw. He has been sacked 23 times in 2011. Who knows how many times he’s been knocked to the turf?

The Highlights:

Wilson leads the SEC in total passing yards, completion percentage among QBs with 300 or more attempts (63.1), and yards per game (285.17). His overall numbers place him among college football’s elite especially considering he has faced three of the four top total defenses in the nation (Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina) and six of the top 25 pass defense teams in the nation (No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 South Carolina, No. 6 LSU, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 23 Ole Miss, and No. 25 Mississippi State).

Wilson is 11th in FBS in total passing yards with 3,422 with an opportunity to move back in the top 10 during post season play.

In Arkansas’ biggest non-conference game of the year, Wilson threw for a school record 510 yards against Texas A&M. Against South Carolina Wilson threw for 299 yards with two passing touchdowns.

The Lowlights:

Wilson’s two worst games came against Alabama and LSU when he finished with 185 and 207 yards passing respectively. He threw two touchdowns against Bama and one against LSU. He also threw one pick in both games as well.

3) Geno Smith, West Virginia University, Junior, 6’3”, 214 lbs

The 8-3 Mountaineers have been riding the electric arm of Smith’s all season long. Even in WVU’s three losses to LSU, Syracuse, and Louisville Smith has played well. He finished the game against LSU with 463 yards passing, 338 against Syracuse, and 410 against Louisville.

Smith has one more regular season game against South Florida remaining to add to his passing totals before their bowl game. Because the Big East only has eight conference members and not the twelve mandated for a conference title game, Smith will not get that extra game to pad his 2011 stats.

The Highlights:

Smith’s 5-1 touchdown to interception ratio (25-5) has been tremendous. He’s ninth in FBS in total offense per game with 332.91 yards per game, has seven games of 300 or more passing yards, and is fifth in the nation with 340 passing yards per game.

3,741 total passing yards has Smith ranked sixth in the nation.

The Lowlights:

Smith takes too many sacks (25) and his 65 percent completion rate ranks him 28th best in the nation.

Smith already puts up great numbers. One could argue that he should put up even better numbers in a weak Big East conference, but that is splitting hairs.

2) Robert Griffin III, Baylor University

An advertisement for Baylor football should read, “Baylor football is… Robert Griffin.” RG3 is the ultimate all around college football quarterback and arguably one of the best players in college football.

In Baylor’s three losses to Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State RG3 put up 346 passing yards against KSU, 430 against A&M, and 425 on OSU. The big statistic against those three teams is each team held Griffin to his three lowest rushing totals of the season, 6, 15, and 27 rushing yards respectively.

The Highlights:

Griffin has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight games this season, over 400 yards in four of those games. His 34-5 TD-INT ratio, 72.6 completion percentage, 334.46 passing yards per game proves he is a complete quarterback.

College football passer rankings: 6th in passing yards per game (334), 2nd in total offense per game (390), and 2nd in quarterback rating (191.1).

The Lowlights:

It’s hard to poke too many holes in Griffin’s game but his 22 sacks on the season is a start.

He had season low totals last weekend against Texas Tech after being knocked out of the game with a concussion. He still finished the game with a passing touchdown, as he has every game this year.

1) Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State University, Senior, 6’4”, 218 lbs

The only knock on Weeden as a college football quarterback is his age; he’s 28. No wait, that will be the knock on him going into the NFL. As college quarterbacks go, Weeden is great.

Weeden has led the Cowboys to a 10-1 record with a chance for a BCS Bowl berth. Even in Oklahoma State’s lone loss to Iowa State Weeden was great when he threw for 476 yards. His three interceptions against the Cyclones… were not so great.

The Highlights:

Eight games of 300 or more yards passing, three of those games he was over 400, one of those was over 500.

College football passer rankings: 2nd in passing yards per game (374), third in total passing yards (4,111) but should move into second barring injury after this weekend’s game against Oklahoma, fifth in touchdown passes thrown with 34, and eighth in quarterback rating (162.2).

The Lowlights:

Not too many holes to poke here. His 12 interceptions and 11 sacks could be improved upon. He has improved on his completion percentage from 2010, 67 to 73 percent.

Weeden was held to 218 passing yards against the Longhorns in Austin, the only defensive minded team he has faced all season.

Weeden may not be the best all around quarterback in the Big 12 with Robert Griffin lurking behind him. But should he have a great game against OU will Heisman voters realize how much better Weeden is than Andrew Luck?

Honorable Mentions

Ryan Alpine, Arkansas State

11^th in total offense in FBS, averages 262 passing yards per game

Dan Persa, Northwestern

After returning from an injury, he leads FBS in completion percentage

Andrew Luck, Stanford

Luck is a media darling but statistically the fifth best QB in the PAC-12

Kellen Moore, Boise State

Average numbers in a non-BCS power conference, 290 passing yards per game

Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio

Averages a FBS 11th best 293 passing yards per game

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Averages 303 passing yards per game, TD-INT ratio is poor (2-1)

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HogManInLA’s Heisman Watch: Top Performers of Week 8

Trent Richardson vs. Ole Miss

17 rushes for 183 yards with four touchdowns

2 catches for 30 yards

Kellen Moore vs. Colorado State

26 of 30 for 338 passing yards with 4 passing touchdowns and no interceptions

Tajh Boyd vs. Maryland

26 of 38 for 270 passing yards with 4 passing touchdowns and one interception

11 rushes for 37 yards

Andrew Luck vs. Washington State

23 of 36 for 336 passing yards with 4 passing touchdowns and one interception

Landry Jones vs. Kansas

29 of 48 for 363 passing yards with 3 passing touchdowns and one interception

2 rushes for 9 yards

Brandon Weeden vs. Texas

23 of 41 for 218 passing yards with one passing touchdown and one interception

Russell Wilson vs. Indiana

12 of 17 for 166 passing yards with one passing touchdown and no intercetions

2 rushes for 42 yards

Montee Ball vs. Indiana

14 rushes for 142 yards and three touchdowns

1 catch for 46 yards

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Heisman Award Watch List: Who is Deserving, Overlooked, and Overhyped?

The 2011 college football season has hit the half way mark and the Heisman Trophy Award talk is heating up. There is a great group of players having phenomenal seasons but who should win the Heisman and why?

The recipient of the Heisman Award means different things to different college football fans and voters. The criterion seems to change every year. Does the award go to the thought best player in college football, the best player on the best team, or the most valuable player in college football?

Or does the award go to a standout player that does the most for their team during a winning or losing season, the most for the game of college football on and off the field, and/or to the player that has the most outstanding season?

Some fans love statistics but statistics can be misleading. What’s more important, the running back with the most rushing yards per game, total rushing yards for the season, or the running back that gets his numbers against his team’s top opponents when it counts?

Rarely does one player embody all the fans and Heisman voters look for in their winner.

Here’s a list of players that deserve Heisman talk, a list of players that will not get invited to New York but deserve recognition, and a list of overhyped players and why.

Let the debates begin.

Deserving of a Heisman Invite:

QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma, Junior

QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, Senior

RB Ray Graham, Pittsburgh, Junior

QB Denard Robinson, Michigan, Junior

DL Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, Junior

Reasons for Landry Jones:

Jones is ranked fourth in FBS in total passing yards per game (362.80), 18th in passing efficiency (159.65), and 6th in completions per game with 28.40. His 13 passing touchdowns are tied for 21st in the nation, and he has only thrown 5 interceptions in 205 passing attempts. Each game has ended with at least one passing touchdown by Jones for the undefeated Sooners; five against Ball State.

Two ranked opponents, two wins; at fifth ranked Florida State 23-13 (199 yards passing), at eleventh ranked Texas 55-17 (367 yards passing).

Reasons against Landry Jones:

Weeden has better statistical number than Jones. Against FSU and Missouri Jones threw two interceptions in both games. The winner of the Bedlam Series could claim the Heisman.

Reasons for Brandon Weeden:

Weeden averages 376 passing yards per game (2nd in FBS), 4th in total passing yards (1,880), 2nd in completion percentage (75.8), and 9th in touchdown passes thrown (15).

Weeden has thrown for at least 288 yards in every game this season for the undefeated Cowboys. His passing season low of 288 yards came against Kansas when he completed 24 of 28 passes with five touchdowns before leaving the game with 5:11 left to play before halftime.

Reasons against Brandon Weeden:

Oklahoma State has only played one ranked team to date, eighth ranked Texas A&M (438 yards passing). By seasons end Weeden will play against four more teams that are currently ranked in the top 25; Texas, Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma.

How good is the Big 12?

The Big 12 does not have a signature nonconference win. Oklahoma’s win over FSU is diminishing week after week.

Reasons for Ray Graham:

Graham leads the nation in total rushing yards (899) and rushing attempts (150). His nine rushing touchdowns are good for ninth in the nation. In the Panthers biggest game and win of the season he rushed for 226-yards with two touchdowns; South Florida.

Graham should finish the season ranked first in total rushing yards after LaMichael James’s injury. He could flirt with the 2,000 yard rushing mark if Pittsburgh makes a bowl game. More than likely he will finish in the 1,700 to 1,850 range.

Reasons against Ray Graham:

Against two quality opponents he was held under 100-yards rushing; Iowa (97) and Notre Dame (89).

The Panthers have one other ranked team left on their schedule.

Their 3-3 season will not impress voters. Troy Davis rushed for over 2,000 yards for Iowa State in back-to-back seasons in 1995 and 1996 but did not win the Heisman because he played on a losing team.

Reasons for Denard Robinson:

Robinson ranks 8th in the nation in total offense per game (341.20 yards) and 6th in FBS in total rushing yards (720). His 7.1 yards per carry is second to LaMichael James’ 9.0 (Oregon) for runners with 90 or more rushing attempts. He is responsible for 21.60 points per game for the Michigan scoring offense; 3rd in the nation.

Robinson’s 206.40 passing yards per game ranks 61st in FBS. He has ten passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns.

If Michigan wins the Legends Division they could play Illinois again, or Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. A standout game and win against either team could help sway some Heisman voters his way.

Reasons against Denard Robinson:

Michigan has not played a ranked team this season. Only three teams remain on their schedule that are currently ranked; at 23 Michigan State, at 16 Illinois, versus 14 Nebraska.

Robinson is not a true pocket quarterback nor is he a true running back. This could cost him some votes. Tim Tebow winning the Heisman in 2007 should help his cause.

Reasons for Whitney Mercilus:

Mercilus leads the nation with 8.5 sacks and in tackles for a loss yardage (58). His 10.5 TFL is fourth best in the nation along with his 58 yards lost due to TFL. He has forced four fumbles for the Fighting Illini’s undefeated team.

Reasons against Whitney Mercilus:

Most people outside of Illinois or Big Ten country do not know of Mercilus. Illinois has played one ranked team (Arizona State) and only has two games remaining against ranked foes; 11 Michigan and 4 Wisconsin.

Charles Woodson was the last defensive player to win the Heisman (1997) and he had punt returning duties to help his cause. If Ndamukong Suh was not good enough to win the Heisman as a defensive lineman, no one is.

On the uninvited list but deserving of attention:

QB Case Keenum, Houston, Senior

QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson, Sophomore

QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, Junior

WR Robert Woods, Southern California, Sophomore

QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, Senior

Reasons for Case Keenum:

Keenum leads the nation in total passing yards (2,309), 2nd in passing touchdowns (17), and is 6th in the nation in passing completion percentage (174.80). He is fifth in the nation in yards per completion at 9.7 per.

Keenum has thrown for over 300 yards in every game this season and has completed at least 25 passes in each game for the undefeated Cougars. In 238 passing attempts (4th in the nation) he has thrown just two interceptions.

Reasons against Case Keenum:

Conference USA. The only quality opponent on their schedule is UCLA, if you consider UCLA a quality opponent. By seasons end SMU (5-1) may be ranked which could give Houston one (more) quality win before their bowl game.

Reasons for Tajh Boyd:

Boyd has 1,742 total passing yards (7th in FBS), 15 passing touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 160.2. His two interceptions in 194 attempts are impressive as well. He has three rushing touchdowns to add to his resume.

Undefeated Clemson had three straight wins against top 25 teams; 21 Auburn, 11 Florida State, and 11 Virginia Tech. The Tigers have two games against ranked opponents left on the regular season and a possible ACC title game which should pit them against another ranked team.

Reasons against Tajh Boyd:

He has been consistent and impressive in two of their bigger games throwing for 386 yards against Auburn and 344 against Florida State. In their only road game of the season Boyd threw for a season low 204 yards. How well will he do in big road games against Georgia Tech and South Carolina?

The last ACC player to win the Heisman Trophy was Chris Weinke from Florida State in 2000.

Boyd left the Boston College game with a hip injury. No news if he will miss game time due to the injury.

Reasons for Tyler Wilson:

Wilson is sixth in the nation in total passing yards with 1,779 for the 23rd ranked total offense in the nation. He has 12 passing touchdowns and three interceptions in 208 passing attempts.

Wilson averages 14.33 points per game for the 17th highest scoring team in the nation at 39.17 per game.

The Razorbacks are 5-1 with back-to-back wins over top 25 teams; 14 Texas A&M and 15 Auburn. The Hogs have two games left on the schedule against top 25 teams; versus 15 South Carolina and at 1 LSU.

Reason against Tyler Wilson:

Wilson is statistically behind a couple of other great quarterbacks that could finish the season undefeated. In the Hogs biggest game of the year at Alabama he was held to 185 yards passing. He did complete 63 percent of his passes and threw for two scores against the Tide, the nation’s number one scoring defense at seven points per game, in their backyard without a running game.

The good and the bad for Wilson is Arkansas is trying to find their running attack. If their run game is found this could open up passing lanes for Wilson down field but it could also take away passing opportunities.

Reasons for Robert Woods:

Woods is second in the nation in receiving yards per game averaging 149.40 and in receptions per game with 11; Nick Harwell (Miami, Ohio) leads the nation in receiving yards per game with 159 but he has played in one less game than Woods. Woods’ 747-receiving yards ranks third in the nation.

Woods set a single game USC record for receptions with 17 against Minnesota and was five yards away from setting the USC single game record when he had 255-yards receiving against Arizona.

He has at least eight catches in every game this season. Syracuse held him to 82-receiving yards in his single game under 100-yards receiving.

Reasons against Robert Woods:

The last wide receiver to win the Heisman was Desmond Howard for Michigan in 1991. Howard was also the punt returner for the Wolverines.

USC has not played a ranked team this season. Their only road game was a loss at Arizona State (43-22) which is currently ranked 18th. USC has two games left on the schedule against ranked teams versus 7 Stanford and at 9 Oregon.

USC cannot play in the first annual PAC-12 Conference title game nor can they participate in a bowl this year due to NCAA sanctions. Missing two extra games will hurt Woods’ chances of winning and padding his statistics.

Reasons for Russell Wilson:

Wilson runs the Wisconsin offense but one could argue the value of running back Montee Ball for the Badgers.

Wilson leads the nation in quarterback rating (216.90). 1,391 yards passing ranks him 29th best in the nation but his completion percentage is third best (74.80). In 111 passing attempts he has thrown one interception.

Reasons against Wilson:

Wilson’s statistics will not overwhelm voters or fans but their possible undefeated season should help. The home win over eighth ranked Nebraska looks nice on the resume.

Wisconsin has two teams left on the schedule that are ranked; at 23 Michigan State and at 16 Illinois.

The battle for the Leaders Division title against Illinois should make that game highly anticipated if Illinois keep winning. Playing in the Big Ten title game against Michigan, Michigan State, or Nebraska gives Wilson another chance to showcase his abilities to voters.

Overhyped Players

QB Andrew Luck, Stanford, Senior

RB LaMichael James, Oregon, Junior

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama, Junior

RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, Sophomore

QB Kellen Moore, Boise State, Senior

Reasons for Andrew Luck:

Luck does everything a quarterback is supposed to do and does it well. Luck ranks 21st in the nation in passing yards per game with 276.60, sixth in passing percentage completions (73.10), and 17th in passing touchdowns with 14. He has thrown two interceptions in 145 passing attempts.

Media perception becomes reality with players like Andrew Luck. Chances are he will win the Heisman if Stanford continues to win.

Reasons against Andrew Luck:

Luck is considered the best player in college football by NFL scouts. That’s great for the NFL and Luck but this is not a how well said player will do in the NFL award nor how high will said player be drafted.

Luck has not played a quality team or defense this season. Stanford’s opponents and their rankings based on total defense: San Jose State 92nd, Duke 80th, Arizona 115th, UCLA 90th, and Colorado 64th.

His statistics do not overwhelm, maybe because they have not needed him to play on a higher level this season, but who is to blame for that?

Oregon is the only ranked team Stanford has on their schedule. USC and Notre Dame could be ranked by the time of their match-up. USC represents the only challenging road game for the Cardinal this season.

Reasons for LaMichael James:

James leads the nation in yards rushing per game with 170.40. His 852 total rushing yards is second to Ray Graham’s 899. Eight rushing touchdowns are 11th best in FBS.

Oregon started the season throwing to James out of the backfield but has slowed his production in that category. His biggest game was six receptions for 61 yards against LSU.

He had three straight 200-yard rushing games.

Reasons against LaMichael James:

He had three straight 200-yard rushing games against Missouri State (a FCS school), Arizona, and California. California is the highest rated defense that he has performed well against. Cal’s defense is ranked 53rd in FBS.

Against LSU, the fifth ranked defense in the nation, James was held to 54-yards rushing on 18 attempts. Big players are supposed to play big in big games, James did not.

James dislocated his elbow against Cal in the fourth quarter when Oregon was already up 43-15 with the game out of reach for the Bears. Essentially James’ injury was meaningless and he was still in the game for no other reason except to seemingly pad his stats.

The injury takes James out of the running for the Heisman and possibly Oregon out of the PAC-12 and/or BCS Championship title.

Reasons for Trent Richardson:

Should Alabama keep winning it would be a conspiracy if Richardson was not one of the Heisman finalist. Bear Bryant would roll over in his grave and the Alabama faithful would start a civil war. All things college football fans do not want to deal with.

Richardson is fifth in total rushing yards with 729 yards, sports a 6.3 yards per carry average, and has 11 rushing touchdowns that ties him for third.

Alabama has two teams left in the top 25, Auburn and LSU, to play. Auburn may or may not be ranked at the end of the season for the Iron Bowl.

Bama’s match-up with LSU will affect the SEC title game and the BCS National Championship Game. If Richardson plays well against LSU, Auburn, and in the SEC title game chances are Bama will have their second Heisman Trophy winner in three years.

  

Reasons against Trent Richardson:

Alabama’s schedule is somewhat misleading. Alabama will end the season having played five teams that were ranked in the top 25. Arkansas was injury riddled at the time of their game and Florida was done once John Brantley hurt his ankle. Bama more than likely would have beaten both teams handily healthy or not but it sure would have been nice to see those match-ups with everyone able-bodied.

Eddie Lacy and the Alabama offensive line cast a shadow of doubt on Richardson. Lacy averages 8.6 yards per carry and has five rushing touchdowns. Lacy has 69 less carries than Richardson and has 397 total rushing yards (72nd in FBS).

If one takes Lacy’s yards per carry average (8.6) times the difference in carries (69) that equals 593.4 total yards rushing. Add his current rushing total (397) plus 593.4 and Lacy would have 990.4 yards rushing on the season to Richardson’s 729.

Even if Lacy’s yards per carry average were to drop down a yard per attempt, Lacy would still have a better rushing average than Richardson.

Lacy missed the Vanderbilt game due to a foot injury.

The Alabama Heisman goes to… the Tide’s offensive line.

Reasons for Marcus Lattimore:

Marcus Lattimore is the third leading rusher in college football. His nine touchdowns are tied with Ray Graham (7th) but puts him two scores behind Richardson. He has the third most rushing attempts in the nation (146).

Reasons against Marcus Lattimore:

Lattimore’s 5.3 yards per carry average is not bad but not as good as his competition; Trent Richardson, Ray Graham, LaMichael James. Lattimore will get all the carries he can handle as the quarterback situation at USC has up and down.

Stephen Garcia has been benched again in favor of Connor Shaw, but should Shaw stumble Steve Spurrier has proven he will yank him quickly. If Shaw develops into a reliable passing option, some holes may start to open for Lattimore which will increase his rushing productivity.

South Carolina has not played a ranked team this season. Auburn jumped to number 15 after they upset the Gamecocks in Columbia. Two games left on the schedule are against top 25 teams, at 10 Arkansas and versus 8 Clemson.

South Carolina beat Georgia before they started to utilize Isaiah Crowell. Florida has lost two conference games. South Carolina holds the tie breaker over Georgia for the SEC East title game berth. An extra game against Alabama, LSU, or even Arkansas in the SEC title game would help pad his stats and could impress voters.

Lattimore wore down last season after a few games. By mid season he missed a game and was shut down early against Arkansas when the Razorbacks jumped ahead early.

Lattimore’s first three games of 2011 he carried the ball 23, 27, and 37 times; two 100-yard games and one 200-yard game.

In the last three games he has rushed for 77, 66, and 102 yards against poorer rush defenses. Watch to see if Spurrier wears out his best player before the season is through.

Reasons for Kellen Moore:

Kellen Moore is another pure passing quarterback in college football that is fun to watch. When he gets hot it appears that he is playing catch with his receivers in practice. Looking at their schedule helps one to understand why it looks that way.

Moore will get serious underdog consideration and more than likely an invite to New York. His numbers are not gaudy enough to warrant the trophy. He is 29th in the nation in total passing yards, his 17 touchdown passes is 2nd best in FBS, and his 171.6 quarterback rating is 9th best.

Boise States’ schedule will help Moore consistently compile solid numbers.

Reasons against Kellen Moore:

The Boise State schedule and the Mountain West Conference will ultimately crush any chance or hopes he may have of winning the Heisman.

Georgia is the single ranked team on their schedule; ranked 19th at the time of their game. TCU could join the top 25 by the time of their game but one more ranked team will not beef up their strength of schedule enough.

Moore threw for 261-yards against Georgia but has been up and down against lesser competition. He was held to 142-yards passing against Nevada and threw for 455-yards against Toledo. The 455-yard passing effort is his lone 300-yard effort of the season. 

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College Football Preview: Oregon State (0-1) vs. #8 Wisconsin (1-0)

Oregon State (0-1) vs. #8 Wisconsin (1-0)

Wisconsin Overview

OSU has a tough game on the road this week taking on Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin. Wisconsin easily took care of UNLV in their first game of the season winning 51-17. UNLV ran the Pistol Offense which Wisconsin was not prepared to defend. The Badgers gave up 292 yards on defense but made stops when it counted early in the game. The Badgers offense outmatched the Running Rebels defense behind the quarterback play of North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson.

Notes to Wisconsin’s game versus UNLV

Russell Wilson led scoring drives on each of the eight series he played; seven touchdowns one field goal. Wilson ended the game 10-13, 255 yards passing, with two touchdowns and two rushing attempts for 62 yards and one touchdown.

Wisconsin’s running game looked sharp rushing for 241 net yards. James White had 64 yards rushing on 11 attempts with a score and Montee Ball had 62 yards rushing on 10 attempts with three touchdowns.

The Badgers defense did not create a turnover against UNLV but they also did not open up their defense against UNLV either.

Oregon State Overview

Oregon State did not start off the season the way Mike Riley had hoped. The Beavers found themselves down 21-6 at the end of the third quarter before storming back to tie the game 21-21 at the end of regulation. OSU scored first in overtime on true freshman running back Malcom Agnew’s 18-yard touchdown run. Sacramento State scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime and converted their two-point conversion for the win. The final score was 29-28.

The good news for OSU is they appear to have found a replacement for Jacquizz Rodgers with Malcom Agnew on offense. The bad news is OSU’s pass defense is in trouble. Sacramento State threw for 296 yards against OSU’s defense that only returns three starters. Sacramento State is not on the elite level of Stanford, USC, Oregon, or this week’s opponent, Wisconsin. Any team looking to run the score up on OSU will have their opportunities until OSU can find a consistent pass rush and limit coverage mistakes.

Notes to Oregon State’s game versus Sacramento State

Malcom Agnew ran 33 times for 223 yards with three scores. Riley may have ran him too much too soon, in the similar way that Steve Spurrier ran Marcus Lattimore last season, as Agnew is out versus Wisconsin.

OSU needs wide receiver James Rogers healthy to open up the offense for Agnew for the rest of the season.

Markus Wheaton had six catches for 108 yards for the Beavers.

Ryan Katz was benched after compiling an 11 for 22, 87 yards passing, with an interception stat line. Katz has been named the starter versus Wisconsin. How many series he plays before backup quarterback Sean Mannion steps in will depend on the play of Katz and Mike Riley.

OSU defense did recover two fumbles against the Hornets.

Keys to the Oregon State vs. Wisconsin Game

Wisconsin head coach Bert Bielema and OSU head coach Mike Riley are buddies. Both run a similar style offense thus they know each other’s offense well. The game will come down to execution, motivation, and talent. This favors Wisconsin, especially with Agnew out for OSU.

OSU has something to prove against Wisconsin after last week’s stumble through the first three quarters of play against the Hornets. Look for OSU to play tougher against the Badgers from the start of the game. How that translates on the scoreboard is another story.

OSU has a bye next week before starting conference play against UCLA thus they have everything to play for with nothing to lose. Wisconsin plays Northern Illinois in Chicago, a recruiting trip for the Badgers that the Fighting Illini must hate. Wisconsin will not be caught in a trap game or looking past the Beavers.

OSU’s defensive front is undersized. Wisconsin should be able to run at will against OSU’s defensive front, especially later in the game if they make a commitment to run the ball early. OSU has good linebackers which should help limit some of Wisconsin’s possible breakaway runs.

Notes to the Game

Wisconsin:

Starting left guard Travis Fredrick is out after spraining his knee against UNLV.

Starting kicker Phillip Welch is a game time decision to play against OSU.

Backup quarterback is out indefinitely after having surgery on his elbow.

Oregon State:

Will the 9:00 a.m. PST start time have a sluggish effect on the Beavers’ team?

Senior defensive tackle Kevin Frahm (6’2”, 275 lbs) is expected to play against Wisconsin after missing last week’s game.

Malcom Agnew is out against Wisconsin; hamstring injury.

Outcome

Don’t look for the score to be run up purposely. The head coaches are friends and Bert Bielema will not look to embarrass his friend on a national stage. Still Bielema will want to see his new quarterback and team in action against a better opponent than UNLV. Wilson may see action well into the third quarter. Ball and White should have great games for the Badgers.

OSU found their stride late last week but against a weaker opponent. Was the slow start a sign of a lack of preparation, motivation, experience, or combination of everything? Riley will have to use this game to get his team in line for the rest of the season. Watch for different lineups and several opportunities for inexperienced OSU players to prove themselves before conference play begins against UCLA.

Wisconsin should have a repeat performance of last week’s game against UNLV except they will be prepared for OSU’s offense. Wisconsin should have this game in hand before the first quarter is over.

Final Score

Wisconsin 48 – Oregon State 13

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