1. (Last Week: 2) Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, QB, So., 5-1. #4 AP.
Last week: 28-39 passing, 387 yards, 5 Tds, 2 INT, QB rating: 121.5; in a 45-35 loss to Texas. Season: 134-185 passing, 2,052 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs, QB rating: 137.
The biggest Heisman battle of the season left the Sooner QB on the short side of the scoreboard, but did more for his trophy chances then any game this season. Texas shut down the Oklahoma running game — allowing rushing 48 yards — but were nearly helpless against Bradford whose completion percentage only dipped to 71 percent in the last portion of the fourth quarter with the Longhorns laying back in coverage with a 10-point lead. Bradford's second INT was meaningless coming on the last play of the game.
2. (Last Week: 1) Chase Daniel, Missouri, QB, Sr., 5-1, #11 AP.
Last week: 39-52 passing, 390 yards, 1 TDs, 3 INTs, QB rating: 78.2; in a 28-23 loss to Oklahoma State.
Season: 158-208 passing, 2,055 yards, 16 TDs, 4 INT; 22 rushes, 120 yards, QB rating: 124.2
The upset loss to the Cowboys likely cost Missouri any chance at a BCS title shot and resulted in Daniels taking a hard broadside shot to his Heisman chances. With his two biggest competitors playing each other, Daniels needed just an average game to maintain his position. Instead he threw three pics and posted a single-game QB rating 46 points below his season average.
3. (Last Week: 3) Colt McCoy, Texas, QB, Jr., 6-0. #1 AP.
Last week: 28-35 passing, 277 yards, 1 TDs, 0 INTs; QB rating: 109.2 in a 45-35 win at Oklahoma.
Season: 131-165 passing, 1,557 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INT, QB rating: 132.8; 59 rushes, 348 yards, 4 TDs.
McCoy completed 80 percent of his passes, made no mistakes and his team came away ranked No. 1 in the polls. With such a crowded Heisman field and with five coming from the Big 12, victories could be the deciding factor on who hoists the trophy in January. McCoy made his first big statement for Heisman ownership with the win but faces three consecutive top 10 teams in as many weeks. If he goes 3-0 in that stretch it will be hard to keep him out of the top spot.
4. (Last Week: 4) Graham Harrell. Texas Tech, Sr., 6-0, #7 AP
Last Week: 20-25, 284 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, QB rating: 140.7; 1 rushing touchdown in a 37-31 win over Nebraska.
Season: 178-262, 2,311 yards, 20 TDs, 3 INTs, QB rating: 116.1; 3 rushing touchdowns.
Herrell had his lowest passing totals of the season against the Huskers but an 80 percent completion percentage and no errors was more than enough to seal the overtime win. The senior's position remains steady in the muddled middle section of the list and his ability to maintain such prominence depends on how he'll handle Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in the coming weeks.
5. (Last Week: 5) Max Hall, BYU, QB, Jr. 6-0. #9 AP
Last week: 22-34 passing, 265 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, QB rating: 117.9. 21-3 over New Mexico.
Season: 152-215 passing, 1,852 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs, QB rating: 120.1.
New Mexico gives up a ton of passing yardage (No. 113 in the nation), but Hall continued his fine play while keeping BYU in the BCS hunt. The Cougars play four of their final six at home with Utah being the only currently ranked team so the junior has an opportunity to advance.
6. (Last Week: 6) Javon Ringer, Michigan State, RB, Sr., 6-1. #20 AP
Last week: 35 rushes, 125 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 16 yards in a 37-20 win at Northwestern.
Season: 247 rushes, 1,112 yards, 14 TDs; 9 receptions, 76 yards; 11 kickoff returns, 224 yards.
Ringer was steady against the undefeated Wildcats. He remains the Spartans MVP, but will need to hit 180 on the dial each week to move into serious contention.
7. (Last Week: 7) Donald Brown, Connecticut, RB, Jr. 5-1, unranked
Last week: Inactive
Season: 179 rushes, 1,067 yards, 12 TDs; 14 receptions, 54 yards.
Uconn plays at Rutgers this week and the Scarlet Knights are giving up 156.5 yards per game rushing. Brown should have some room to run and maybe move up on the list.
8. (Last Week: 8) Daryll Clark, Penn State, QB, Jr., 7-0, #3 AP
Last week: 16-25 passing, 244 yards, 1 TDs, 1 INTs, QB rating: 92.8; 6 rushes, 12 yards, 2 TD win at Wisconsin (48-7).
Season: 96-149 passing, 1,360 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INT, QB rating: 110.6; 38 rushes, 145 yards, 6 TDs.
The Lions continue to win which helps any QB in the Heisman race, but he hasn't separated himself on a team that is averaging 12 more passing yards than rushing this season.
9. (Last Week: unranked) Todd Reesing, Kansas, QB, Jr., 5-1, #16 AP
Last Week: 27-34 passing, 256 yards, 1 TD, QB rating 107.8; in 30-14 win against Colorado.
171-239 passing, 1,980 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, QB rating 111.9; 53 rushes, 101 yards, 2 TDs. A season ago Reesing was a Heisman candidate and Kansas a national title contender. Fast forward a season and both seem largely forgotten. Until now.
10. (Last Week: 9) Tim Tebow, Florida, QB, Jr., 5-1, #5 AP
Last week: 14-21 passing, 210 yards, 2 TD, 0 INTs, QB rating: 131.1; 12 rushes, 22 yards, 1 TD in a 51-21 win over LSU.
Season: 93-of-149 passing, 1,235 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INTs, QB rating: 108.2; 73 rushes, 179 yards, 3 TDs.
The Gators are in the national title hunt, even though Tebow doesn't seem to be terrifying opposing D-coordinators this year. Maybe they are catching up.
Dropped out:
Last Week: 10. David Johnson, Tulsa QB, Sr., 6-0, unranked
Season 117-173 passing, 1,963 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs, QB rating: 128.4.
Tulsa is undefeated, leading the nation in scoring (53.2) and has an almost unknown quarterback. Completing 56 percent of his passes and throwing two interceptions against SMU doesn't help.
Keep an eye on:
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, WR. 39 receptions, 600 yards, 5 TDs; 13 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD; 14 punt returns, 128 yards; 14 kickoff returns, 365 yards, 1 TD. Great all purpose player still on outside looking in.
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, QB, So., 3-3, unranked. 95-148 passing, 1,151 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, QB rating 99.8; 66 rushes, 565 yards, 9 TDs. Kaepernick replaces South Florida's Matt Grothe with his running ability.
