QB Larry Ricketts
Ima just gonna leave this here for a minute....

With no real movement in the frontrunners for the Heisman, this week we take a look at those who could sneak onto the list if things break right. Or, if "other" guys weren't putting up arcade numbers. Let's take a look.



QB Larry Ricketts (Marshall) 58.3%, 2,587 yards, 26 TD, 6 INT, 113.20 QBR
His TD/INT ratio, QBR, and completion percentage are among the elite in the NCAA. What's holding him back from shooting straight up the list is the yardage. That has a little to do with what's been happening involving their star RB Ferguson. He's carrying the team down the field on the strength of his rushes, then when they get close Ricketts finishes it off for short TD. That's a problem for both Ricketts and Ferguson. The offensive system being run at Marshall, while benefiting the team, is hurting both guys' Heisman stock. Ricketts gets the TD, Ferguson gets the yardage. Neither gets both enough to make them Heisman relevant at this point in the season.

QB James Sherwood (Navy) 68.1%, 2,975 yards, 27 TD, 5 INT, 133.05 QBR
TDs: Check. TD/INT: Check, Completion percentage: Check. QBR: Check, Check, Check. Only one problem, their 4-5 record. Put Sherwood on a team like the Cal Bears and he's on the list. If the Midshipmen can find a way to get back into the Bowl conversation, his inclusion in the other conversation will follow.

QB Timothy Soileau (LSU) 48.2%, 2,620 yards, 20 TD, 9 INT, 105.68 QBR.
RB Figueroa has had the same effect on his Heisman status as the Marshall situation. Add to that his mediocre completion percentage and you have a recipe for a good season, just no hardware to show for it when the dust settles.

RB Stephen Figueroa (LSU) 203 carries, 1,187 yards, 7 TD.
He was in the mix earlier in the season, but a series of injuries cost him two games and ultimately his place among the elite. With UCLA's Warfield racking up the stats on the ground and air, it seems unlikely that a one dimension player like Figueroa is this season can get back into the conversation. He has 7 games to change our minds, we'll see...


RB Ray Ferguson (Marshall) 172 carries, 1,185 yards, 5 TD.
Besides the problem mentioned earlier regarding his QB, he also suffers from availability issues. He's missed 3 games thus far this season. It does make you wonder, however, what stats he'd put up if he could stay on the field. If he can make a push health wise the rest of the season, he could sneak back into things. However, in speaking with the coaching staff earlier in the week, I've learned they are going to be limiting his carries to keep him fresh and healthy. Not good for producing the stats necessary to climb back in.

WR Lenard Simmons (LSU) 44 receptions, 1,188 yards, 6 TD. 13 KR, 424 KR Yards, 1 KR TD.
Another victim of injuries, Simmons has missed 4 games already on the season. The fact that he's put up the second most receiving yards in the NCAA is astonishing. If he could stay healthy next season, the sky could be the limit for him.


WR William Malley (Clemson) 49 receptions, 1,182 yards, 9 TD.
Malley busted onto the scene early in the season, amassing 619 yards and 6 TD in the first three games. In the 6 games following? 563 yards and 3 TD. To help answer why this has happened, consider this. In the first three games this season, #1 wideout Charles Ford had 254 yards and 3 TD. The following 6 he has 540 yards and 5 TD. While not world breaking numbers, every pass not thrown your way cuts into production.

WR Michael Millar (Syracuse) 51 receptions, 1,142 yards, 12 TD. 9 KR, 337 KR YD, 1 KR TD.
He leads the league in TD receptions, and has comparable stats to other WR on the list. His biggest problem is he's on an underperforming team. Much like Navy's signal caller Sherwood, Heisman voters want players on winning teams. The 4-5 Syracuse Orange aren't among the winning teams.

After a week looking at the outliers, we now turn our attention back to those leading the chase for the most coveted trophy in the NCAA.


RB Bobbie Warfield (UCLA) 188 carries, 1,473 yards, 16 TD. 35 receptions, 949 yards, 7 TD.
After seeing fellow Bruin Beall lead the list all season, Warfield has taken control of the top spot, after his 5 TD the last two weeks to put him over 20 combined on the year. He's been the beneficiary of Hot Reads all season, so it'll be interesting to see how he reacts to a Tennessee team who's shown the ability to shut down opposing playmakers. Up Next: Tennessee

QB Robert Beall (UCLA) 64.2%, 4,134 yards, 35 TD, 8 INT, 129.42 QBR
Two straight subpar games by the usually outstanding Beall, in which he combined for only 2 TD and 3 INT, has lead to his drop a little in the Heisman race. It could be a lull that most teams go through at times throughout the season, or a sign that opposing defenses are figuring out UCLA's playcalling. Much like Warfield, we'll be looking to see how Beall reacts to Tennessee's defense. Up Next: Tennessee

DT Neville Walton (CAL) 24 sacks, 68 hurries.
Walton has tied the NCAA single season record for sacks with 3 in his last game against FSU. What's amazing is the fact that he still has 6 games in which to obliterate it. He's also on pace to record over 100 hurries on the season, which has just as much impact on a passing game, if not more, than sacks. Also, as was mentioned on the most recent episode of the hit show The Grind, making these two stats even more incredible is that he's been wreaking havoc from the interior of the defensive line. His ability to get his shoulders turned quickly after the snap, making him smaller and able to slip double teams effectively, has been the key to his success this season. Walton has been one of the reasons the Cal Bears have found themselves ranked 9th in the country in total defense. Up Next: Washington

Another week is in our rearview mirror, one which included a shutdown of several of our Heisman frontrunners. To see how that's affected the list, keep reading...


RB Bobbie Warfield (UCLA) 198 carries, 1,508 yards, 17 TD. 36 receptions, 1,024 yards, 8 TD.
While Warfield's yardage was stifled last game against a dominant Tennessee defense, he ultimately contributed where it counted, the scoreboard. He was able to score both a rushing and receiving touchdown to bring his combined season total to 25. To put that into perspective, only 6 QBs in the NCAA have thrown for more TD than he currently has on the season. Warfield should get back on track with ASU next on the schedule. His next challenge that may change the voters' mind will be the week 14 showdown against Arizona. Up Next:ASU


QB Robert Beall (UCLA) 62.8%, 4,478 yards, 36 TD, 13 INT, 118.31 QBR
Beall's stock has cooled a bit around the league after his horrendous day against Tennessee. He was held to by far his worst QBR of the season at 42.77, aided by his season high 5 INT. Despite his subpar game, he still boasts a TD:INT ratio of almost 3, not to mention his still second highest season QBR. His place on this list is secure for now. Bad games are going to happen, there was little doubt coming down to earth was inevitable. It just goes to show you how ridiculous his start was that even with a couple of down games, he can still be a leader in so many categories. He has matchups against two teams the next two weeks in which he and UCLA should get back on track in ASU and Michigan before the anticipated rematch against Arizona in week 14. Up Next: ASU

WR Quincy Brown (ND) 66 receptions, 1,669 yards, 10 TD
A 9 reception, 222 yard day vaulted Notre Dame's Brown back into the NCAA lead for reception yardage, and ultimately back onto the list as we look to expand the possibilities with the leaders stumbling slightly under the pressure of expectations. While he's been at or around the list all season long, there's a feeling here that the offense he's in has stunted his stats. While dynamic, Notre Dame is a little inconsistent offensively, a problem many teams face this season. In addition, and more prevalent in this instance, is that they spread the ball out amongst so many different players. RB Josh Adams has 13 TDs, not to mention WR Claypool's 12. With so many playmakers, it's difficult for one to shine, which has hurt his stock considerably in our estimation. There is still time for him to make a final push, however, as the Fighting Irish cap off their season with three potential Heisman showcase games against the likes of Washington, Marshall, and LSU. In addition, Navy is immediately on the schedule, where Notre Dame could look to put the final nail in QB Sherwood's dwindling Heisman chances. Up Next: Navy

DT Neville Walton (CAL) 35 Tackles, 26 Sacks, 72 Hurries
Last game against Washington, Walton recorded 2 sacks, thus breaking the single season sack record formerly held by Terrell Suggs. The sad thing is, he may not end up as the leader in sacks on the season, as he's now being pressured by another DL from FSU who currently sits at 23 on the season. But for now, he's the sack king, and as such, deserves mention on this list. It's also been implied that he may be feasting on PAC 12 inferior teams, and while there is some accuracy to that, it's to be noted that 12 of his 26 recorded sacks have come against teams outside the conference. Additionally, he's recorded a sack in every game except their week 8 victory over Syracuse, a game in which he still managed 7 hurries on the statuesque Mitchell. He can strengthen his Heisman case on December 3rd, as the Thundering Herd come to town for what's sure to be a highlighted matchup. If he can knock around QB Ricketts on National Television, it's sure to validate his season in the eyes of some voters. For now, he'll have to settle for wreaking havoc on the teams in front of him, which for now is one of the weaker PAC 12 teams. Up Next: Stanford

QB Larry Ricketts (Marshall) 56.3%, 3,053 yards, 28 TD, 9 INT, 102.68 QBR
Despite 2 disappointing games recently, it's hard to overlook the totality of his season for the surprising Herd. While there are more prolific passers in terms of yardage and TDs, few have the combination of accuracy and production like Ricketts. 4 of his next 5 opponents sport over .500 records along with Bowl aspirations. The next 4 weeks will tell the tale of his Heisman fate. Up Next: Ohio State

CB Bill Wu (Tennessee) 49 Tackles, 123 Thrown at, 18 knockdowns, 39.8% completed against, 10 INT.
With 5 games remaining in the season, top CB Wu sits just 5 INT from breaking the single season record originally set back in 1968 by Al Worley. Tennessee boasts the 8th best defense in yards allowed per game, helped immensely by Wu patrolling the secondary. He'll look to finish the season strong, as key matchups against OK State and Oklahoma loom in two of the next three weeks. Any Heisman voters wary of putting a defensive back on their ballot will be tuning in to see how Wu performs in primetime. Up Next: Oklahoma

But put that in perspective - Worley probably did it in only 10 games!
Amazing

(Also, quit jinxing Ricketts already - he can't play at all under pressure)

DT Keith Thomas (KU) 54 Tackles, 21 Sacks, 94 Hurries (in 9 games), love to see defensive
players looked at!

Yeah, it's amazing he was able to do that in the limited schedule he faced back in the day. Add into that the fact that his team saw about half of the passing plays that most of todays' teams face, so he had far fewer chances.

As for Ricketts...........................................heh

I agree, he's had a beast of a season. Unfortunately I have tried to look at this like the regular Heisman race. I've even excluded my WR from the talk, other than that one week in which I explained why he wasn't Heisman material, because our teams aren't among the elite. I think he's going to get a lot of love from the voters when it comes to the Lombardi or Nagurski award for sure.

I do try to add some defensive love into this list because it seems that things are a little too offensive in nature, so thanks for noticing!!!

As we enter the homestretch, the buzz is abound in the NCAA about who will take home the highest individual honor of the college season. Some have been constant in the headlines, while others have started to make their case as the season has worn on. So, without further adieu, let's get to the list.


RB Bobbie Warfield (UCLA) 235 carries, 1,764 yards, 20 TD. 42 receptions, 1,153 yards, 9 TD.
Warfield currently ranks 1st in rushing yards, rushing TD, Total TD(Other than QB). He also ranks 16th in receiving yards, while only having 42 receptions on the season, and his 27.5 YPC are higher than anyone ahead of him on the yardage list. For all of these reasons and more, we believe he's the front runner for the Heisman at this stage of the race.
Up Next: Arizona

QB Robert Beall (UCLA) 62.8%, 5,316 yards, 44 TD, 15 INT, 119.35 QBR.
Following his disastrous performance against Tennessee, Beall bounced back with two good performances to maintain his place on the list. He still possesses a near 3:1 TD:INT ratio to go along with being 1st in TD and QBR as well as 2nd in passing yards. His 62.8 completion percentage also ranks number 1 in the NCAA among qualifying starting signal callers. Like Warfield, Beall has had to defend his gaudy stats against the fact that the PAC 12 features a few weak teams. That fact might sway some of the voters when they are filling out their ballot. A good game in the rematch against Arizona next week may help quiet those concerns.
Up Next: Arizona

WR Quincy Brown (ND) 81 receptions, 1,910 yards, 11 TD
Quincy Brown has taken the lead once more in reception yardage, posting a 192 yard game against the hapless Cardinal defense. Brown has been an intricate part of Notre Dame's offense, although it doesn't always click. While the TDs may not be there, he gains the tough yardage that keep the chains moving. In an offense that sputters at times, he is the one consistent threat. In each of last three games of the season, he'll have primetime matchups in which to sway voters with stellar performances. Up Next: Washington


WR William Malley (Clemson) 69 receptions, 1,504 yards, 11 TD
After his torrid start to the season, Malley has had his share of up and down games. Yet, as we stand today, his season stats rank among the elite in the NCAA. While being number 2 on the depth chart, he has been the leading WR all season, complimenting young wide out Charles Ford perfectly. Combined, they have amassed nearly 2,700 yards receiving and accounted for 20 TDs through the air. Just like Clemson, he has surprised some around the NCAA with his production. Up Next: Miami