NCAAF Heisman Betting – McCoy Fending Off Running-Backs For Trophy

TOP GUNS

1. Colt McCoy (QB) – Texas Longhorns
The case for McCoy all season has been mired by relatively mediocre statistics while other quarterbacks put up massive numbers. Now Colt McCoy stands as the favorite in the eyes of many to win the trophy after posting 304 yards passing, 175 yards rushing and 5 scores against A&M to remain perfect on the season. With virtually all the quarterback records at Texas under his belt, and the most NCAA wins in college football history, McCoy is number one because the pollsters often reward guys the Heisman as a “college career” or “life time achievement” award. He gets one more game to show everybody what he’s capable of…and one more chance to also screw it up.

Big 12 Championship Betting Line: Texas (-14) vs. Nebraska

2. Toby Gerhart (RB) – Stanford Cardinal
Gerhart punched a ticket to NYC by successfully crushing Jimmy Clausen as Stanford romped right past Notre Dame on the weekend. With 205 yards and three touchdowns, Gerhart has put up the best stats of any tailback in the country and his Stanford Cardinals are ranked 24th in the nation at 8-4 SU and Gerhart is responsible for huge upsets over Oregon and USC. The fact that he’s a sophomore certainly hurts his case, but that doesn’t mean that his incredible production this year will be overlooked.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Gerhart has become the league’s best rushing weapon totaling 1,736 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season. He has more rushing touchdowns than anyone from a major program, with his closest, notable adversary coming in the form of Tim Tebow with 13 rushing scores. You will likely see Gerhart next at the Emerald Bowl where they are projected to take on FSU, but don’t be surprised when you see the best tailback in the country in the front row as he awaits to see if he did enough to steal the trophy from McCoy and Ingram.

Next Game: TBD

ONLY ONE CAN SURVIVE THE SEC TITLE GAME…

3. Tim Tebow (QB) – Florida Gators
Tebow has actually thundered in to the race based on his last few games, and has managed to catch up in total touchdowns to the rest of the group with 30 total this season (17 passing, 13 rushing). Add to that the fact the Gators have gone perfect and they stand to make the BCS Championships by beating Alabama and you have a quarterback who will get the invite based on the “best player on the best team” credential.

You know why else he would get it? He’s perhaps one of the most decorated college players ever. McCoy has more wins than Tebow, but Tim already has 2 BCS Championships and can add a third to his resume.

SEC Championship Betting Line: Florida (-4.5) vs. Alabama

4. Mark Ingram (RB) – Alabama Crimson Tide
While Ingram has maintained a top-3 spot for being a legit threat on a stalwart team, his performance last week against Auburn tarnished his momentum. He managed just 51 total yards from scrimmage and was held out of the endzone. Gerhart has 300+ more rushing yards and is doubling his rushing touchdown production. And it’s not like Florida’s rushing defense is going to give Ingram a lot of room to move in the SEC Championship game. He needs a huge performance to stay in the race after too many lackluster games.

SEC Championship Betting Line: Florida (-4.5) vs. Alabama

NICE NUMBERS...WHO’D YOU PLAY AGAIN?

5. Kellen Moore (QB) – Boise State Broncos
Despite a perfect season, a probable BCS bowl series berth and 38 passing touchdowns, Moore is getting overlooked largely because of the lacking strength of his schedule but his numbers are keeping him relevant. Case in point is his game this weekend…

Next Game: New Mexico State vs. Boise State (-46.5)

6. Case Keenum (QB) – Houston Cougars
Keenum has two games left to breach the 5,000 passing yard plateau and leads all quarterbacks in the country in terms of numbers. Houston ranks 21st in the BCS Standings but, like Moore, Houston lacks any credible opponents or marquee victories. At least Gerhart plays in the Pac-10. Keenum is getting love from me because of his Brees-like stats which include 4,922 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns (38 passing, 4 rushing). If his coach wants to do him any favors and set him up for the Heisman in his senior season, he will lobby for Houston to play some top-10 teams next year and showcase Keenum in big games.

Next Game: Houston (-1) vs. East Carolina

HONORABLE MENTIONS

7a. C.J. Spiller (RB) – Clemson Tigers
Spiller’s had quiet numbers this season, but he is being touted as one of the best college players of all-time because of his overall production. With just 812 yard and 7 rushing touchdowns, there’s no way he gets noticed by the pollsters with Ingram and Gerhart in the fold. Still, he is considered the most NFL-ready tailback in the league due to his utility arsenal as a rusher, receiver and returner. In fact, Spiller is ranked as the best tailback in the 2010 NFL Draft and is in the top-15 of all NFL prospects. That should say quite a bit about a guy who has never breached the 1,000 rushing yard mark. Too bad he spent his career dwindling in the ACC.

Next Game: Georgia Tech (-1) vs. Clemson

7b. Dion Lewis (RB) – Pittsburgh Panthers
Lewis is getting a mention alongside Spiller because this is a guy you want to know about next season. As a freshman, Lewis totaled a staggering 1,446 yards rushing on 250 carries for 13 touchdowns. That puts him in very elite company, and again this guy is in just his first year of college. Dave Wannstedt struck gold by recruiting this freshman beast, and if he stays healthy, he’ll be a strong Heisman candidate in the future.

Next Game: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (-1)

This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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