Best had a subpar performance as his team got pummeled by Oregon. Scoring 3 points as an offense is pathetic and Best is getting a reprieve still remaining on top of the Heisman board. Season to date he is still the best player at this point in the season and with teams dropping like flies this season losing one game shouldn't be a death sentence. Best totalled just 69 yards of offense against Oregon, but he still has 467 yards and 8 TDs on the season and he has a big game this week against USC to show where he really should be on this list. If he can total 100+ yards and lead Cal to an upset win, he deserves to be at the top of this list and if Cal struggles again and Best doesn't run laps around the USC defense, he will fall and a new leader will emerge. The problem with dropping Best is there is no player that has earned true consideration for the trophy at this point in the season.
Season Stats - 69/467/8, 9/73/1
2. Case Keenum, Houston
In this day and age a quarterback from Houston isn't going to win any major college awards, but it is time for the national media to start giving Keenum more credit for what he's doing. Football is a team game, but no way in my eyes does Houston beat both Texas Tech and Oklahoma State if it wasn't for Keenum at quarterback. People gave Graham Harrell credit last season when Texas Tech was winning, so why not give Keenum his due. To date he's played a valiant schedule and although it drops off, he has already shown he can do whatever is handed to him. Despite just one passing TD, Keenum had over 450 yards of total offense in the win over Texas Tech. Keenum will have to keep the numbers up as the competition weakens, but if Houston keeps winning I won't be dropping Keenum off this list. He's possibly been the best quarterback in the country to date.
Season Stats - 93/134/1160 8/2, 15/43/3
3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Why is the guy getting no hype for the Heisman? Sure he came into the season as a scout team wonder and had to replace a guy many considered a Heisman contender, but this has become ridiculous how if a player is not hyped in the preseason or orchestrates the world's biggest upset that he does not get the credit he is due. Sure Virginia Tech lost to Alabama, but they have responded well and it all starts in the backfield and I promise it is not the result of Tyrod Taylor. Williams has the consistency Evans lacked a season ago and had another big week last week with 190 total yards and two touchdowns against a good Miami team. Williams is now in the top 5 in the country in rushing yards and the freshman is the leader of the Tech offense.
Season Stats - 84/492/8, 6/120
4. Tim Tebow, Florida
The preseason favorite for the Heisman isn't putting up the stats he's accustomed to this year and Saturday he put his fate for the next game in jeopardy with a concussion. I expect him to play after the bye week, but how effective will he be? Tebow is being considered for the Heisman right now because of his leadership skills and what he is overcoming, not gaudy statistics. Tebow has had to throw to a depleted receiving corps that has battled injuries and departures to the NFL. Tebow does have some weapons at running back at his disposal, but no Percy Harvin to fall back on this season. Tebow's candidacy is still strong in the media's eyes, but he needs to do something and soon if he wants to continue to have my support. The one thing that is helping him is keeping his team undefeated, which Williams and Best could not do.
Season Stats - 44/68/643 6/1, 55/271/5
5. Eric Decker, Minnesota
It is hard to get a lot of credit when you play for a team that isn't too great, but Decker is definitely living up to his preseason hype and possibly playing better right now. He only has one game under 100 yards receiving and he had 2 TDs in that game this week, while battling a bad ankle. Minnesota has not played the best competition yet, but everyone has at least heard of Syracuse, Air Force, Cal, and Northwestern. Minnesota almost knocked off Cal while they were still in the top 10 too. Decker is one of the most reliable players in the nation and he still gets his yards although everyone knows the ball is coming to him.
Season Stats - 35/499/4
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