Ingram will hold the top spot another week despite failing to run for 100 yards. He did however run for 99, which was almost as much as his quarterback McElroy threw for. Aiding Ingram's cause this week was the fact his usually reliable backup Richardson only mustered 18 yards on the ground, showing the strength of the Tennessee defense. Alabama is on a bye week this week, so unless someone pulls a Superman like performance, expect Ingram to sit atop the Heisman watch for another week. Ingram solidified himself as the top back this week, as Ryan Williams committed a costly fumble that led to Virginia Tech losing.
2. Tony Pike
Only in a year where Heisman candidates can a guy not lose ground by being injured. Tony Pike has been a steady force for Cincinnati and with Cincinnati still winning without him he has the benefit of his team remaining undefeated. Collaros is reportedly going to get the start this week, so this week really would kill Pike's hopes if he can't play. Pike has been a steady performer all season, but the one thing he is lacking is a truly signature performance. Without that signature performance and missing two games, Pike may be effectively eliminated from the competition this next week.
3. Case Keenum
Keenum's performance Saturday will hurt in the Heisman. Most Heisman contenders can afford going 25/36 for 233 yards and a touchdown, but Keenum can't. Keenum's schedule is easy from here on out and without at least an average of 3 touchdowns per game, he'll fall completely off the radar of some. I'll give him slack this week considering the game was well in hand and Keenum didn't have to do anything. He was still efficient with his passing percentage. Keenum might join Pike off this radar unless he does something huge this week. With big conference games coming up, the BCS schools may see some of their players step up and take these positions.
4. CJ Spiller
Spiller is an interesting case. I've said before I don't believe Spiller is a top 5, maybe not even top 10 back in the country. In terms of true running backs that run between the tackles I know he is not, but that's not why he is on this list. Clemson has a few losses this season, which puts Spiller in the same situation as Suh, but Clemson is going in the opposite direction of Nebraska and I gave the edge to Spiller. Luckily for Spiller, Clemson can still make the ACC Title game and are one upset from a BCS berth, keeping him in the spotlight. Spiller is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield and on returns he is a threat every single time. If Spiller keeps putting up 200+ all purpose yards a game, he'll get the respect from me.
5. Daryll Clark
I know many will call me homerish for this, but honestly he has just as good an argument as the others. Like Tim Tebow, Clark has a new set of receivers this season and Tebow had the luxury of Riley Cooper coming back. Tebow had a more experience line and a deeper set of backs, but who has the much better stats at this point? McCoy has an argument as his team is hot, but who has had the better overall season? Jimmy Clausen? How about Golden Tate, he is the better Heisman candidate on that team and is currently six in my Heisman Contenders. Clark had a problem with picks at the beginning of the season, but some of those were unlucky tips off receivers hands and he has thrown only 1 in the last 4. Sure 3 of his 7 are against Iowa, his one bad game but the other 4 were all against cupcakes out of conference, not from his other 3 conference games. Clark has 1884 yards already with 17 touchdowns. Add in 4 rushing touchdowns and his rushing yards put him over 2000 total yards for the season. His 17 touchdown passes are number 1 in BCS conference schools.
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