NCAA Football - Heisman Hopefuls after Week 11

Heisman Watch Week 11 – Tailbacks Picking Off Quarterbacks In Trophy Race

1.Alabama Crimson Tide
The lone knock on Ingram was his lack of touchdowns. With two against Mississippi State he finally got on the board and now has 1,129 rush yards and ten scores. Alabama keeps winning, and Ingram remains the main reason, but a stalwart Alabama defense and the emergence of a white boy from Stanford have made things interesting for Ingram.

Next Game: Chattanooga vs. Alabama

2. Texas Longhorns
McCoy is becoming the benefactor or a weak and wonky Heisman class. The general of the Longhorns notched 181-yards and two touchdowns with a rating of 131.78 to put Texas up on Baylor. Only McCoy and Tebow have been the constants in the conversation and with 2,628-yards, 19 touchdowns and an undefeated season in his back pocket, McCoy is the leading quarterback now that stat monsters are taking big hits.

Next Game: Kansas vs. Texas (-27)

3. Stanford Cardinal
Gerhart piled up three touchdowns in the massive win against USC to bring his season total to 19. Even more impressive than Gerhart being the next white hope at tailback is the remaining schedule for Stanford, which includes California and Notre Dame. The Cards will need a bright spot to cap their season, and getting Gerhart the stats and touches he needs to punch a ticket to NYC

Next Game: California vs. Stanford (-6.5)

4. Florida Gators
Tebow had a strong performance as the Gators outlasted the Gamecocks. With 199-passing yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown as well, Tebow put himself back in the thick of things. Out of respect, his undefeated Gators and an SEC championship will put Tebow in NYC. But his numbers aren’t as bloated as they have been in previous seasons. In fact, they aren’t just off for Tebow, they’re worldly pedestrian stats. Still, the best player from the top team in the country has to get credit despite soft numbers.

Next Game: Florida International vs. Florida (-41)

5. Oregon Ducks
If Oregon hadn’t crapped the bed against Stanford, James’ name would be in place of Gerhart’s. But the quarterbacks across the country are either putting up piss poor numbers, losing marquee games or emerging from tiny programs in irrelevant conferences.

James has rushed for over 150-yards in five games, has 1,193 on the season and stuffed in three touchdowns against Arizona State’s sixth ranked rush defense. James’ big performances may be overshadowed by losses to Boise and Stanford, but his numbers make him just as important to the cause as the other tailbacks on the Furious Seven.

Next Game: Oregon (-5) vs. Arizona

6. Houston Cougars
We’ve been saying it all year long: as long as Houston keeps winning, Keenum’s all-world numbers are going to put him in the front row in Manhattan. Well now the Cougars have lost so what now?

Next Game: Memphis vs. Houston (-22.5)

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Clausen’s numbers make him a contender, but missing from his resume is a marquee win. An upset over USC or Pittsburgh would’ve kept him in the race. Even with 3.053 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season with a staggering 158.22 rating, Clausen’s losses are hanging over his Heisman hopes like a dark cloud.

Next Game: Connecticut vs. Notre Dame (-6)