Most people have a prejudice toward the quarterback, but make no mistake. Right now Jahvid Best is the best player in the country. His team had a modest 35-21 victory over an overmatched Golden Gopher team, but 30 of those 35 points (and the reason for the other 5) were all from a certain player marching into the endzone. After his 5 TD performance, Best stands third in the country at 412 yards and he's got 8 touchdowns to go with those yards. He's on pace for almost 35 rushing touchdowns this season. While that number seems unattainable, Best will still put up huge numbers the rest of the season. If Heisman voters put their quarterback prejudice aside and vote for a Pac-10 player not from USC, Best should be the winner at this early point in the season by a clear margin.
Season Stats - 53 rushes 412 yards 8 TDs, 7 catches 59 yards 1 TD
2. Tim Tebow
Tebow hasn't put up Tebow like numbers yet and if even though he's doing what he needs to for his team to win, if he doesn't start putting numbers up he'll find himself sliding down the Heisman Contenders race in the coming weeks. While he picked up over 70 yards on the ground against Tennessee, he only threw for 115 with no touchdowns and a pick. I'll give Tebow a pass this week as he gears up for the real season after those first two cupcakes. Coach Meyer said Florida didn't have to open up the offense against Tennessee and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but Tebow needs to start putting up better stats, as sadly enough that's what wins Heisman trophies.
Season Stats - 39/58 540 yards 5/1, 39 rushes 148 yards 3 TDs
3. Case Keenum
You can't punish a guy for having the week off, so Keenum remains at the number 3 spot on the list. Keenum overcame his first obstacle against Oklahoma State to come onto the radar list, but he has his second battle with Texas Tech this coming week. This game will define Houston's BCS hopes and without a huge game Keenum can all but kiss his Heisman longshot hopes goodbye. Just like the polls, everyone has their prejudices before the season and wants to lock out the mid-major guys. Why not include Keenum in the balloting. Keenum can create plays and not just against inferior opponents. Georgia's offense has been alive in both games not against Oklahoma State this season. Guess which team Keenum scored 45 on.
Season stats - 55/76 725 yards 7/1, 7 rushes 16 yards 2 TDs
4. Jacory Harris
The nation's third most efficient quarterback is leading Miami back to the promise land. Colt McCoy had another off week and again won't be making the list, but how about the quarterback that's emerging down south. Harris doesn't look like a big, strong quarterback, but he is very smart with how he reads the field and is doing an excellent job running the Miami offense. He hits his passes and with Graig Cooper aiding him, Miami should continue to have a potent offense. Harris is doing this despite the nation's hardest opening schedule. His two opponents to date have been Florida State and Georgia Tech and a date with Oklahoma is right around the corner. Talk about not being able to ease into the season.
Season Stats - 41/59 656 yards 5/2, 1 rush TD
5. Joe McKnight
Call this the wildcard pick. McKnight might not be putting up Reggie Bush like numbers, but is their a running back in the nation that could with stable of backs? It doesn't matter how good McKnight gets, because he'll share carries with the other back just because they're really good too. Barkley is getting all the credit at SoCal for being the amazing true freshman quarterback, but McKnight is the guy who has this offense going. The offense did struggle against Washington to only put 13 points up, but McKnight hit the century mark on only 11 carries. Maybe McKnight should be getting the ball more. McKnight is also the guy that almost single-handedly beat Ohio State. That last drive was all Joe McKnight. He took over the game under the ultimate pressure of an away primetime game in clutch time.
Season Stats - 41 carries 305 yards 3 TD, 6 catches 72 yards
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