2011 Heisman Trophy Favorites and Contenders – NCAA Football Heisman Race Power Rankings – Top 5 Heisman favorites in the Nation: Most years, the Heisman Trophy goes to the best offensive player on the top team in the nation. However, the top-ranked LSU Tigers have been the definition of a complete team and don’t have a standout on either side of the ball. Instead, the Heisman race is wide open for a number of players, including those for teams with one or two losses. Unless someone steps up in the final two weeks and takes control of the situation, the eventual winner could be in doubt up until the winner is announced. It will be a far cry from years past when the winner was all but known well before the candidates arrived in the New York.
- Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford
Stanford’s loss to Oregon hurt Luck’s stranglehold on the award, but all the voter polls point to him as the frontrunner. On the year, he has 31 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions, and while those numbers aren’t incredible, they are good enough to warrant Heisman consideration. Luck is helped immensely by his status as an NFL prospect and his past accomplishments, and while the hype probably outweighs his stats this year, the voters appear to be leaning his way. A primetime showdown with Notre Dame could be the stage Luck needs to secure the award.
- Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama
He is the centerpiece of the offense for an Alabama team that will likely play for the national title. Granted, he didn’t have his best game in the Crimson Tide’s loss to LSU, but 169 total yards of offense is a pretty nice total against the Tigers’ defense. Overall, he has 1,380 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, along with more than 300 receiving yards. More impressively, Richardson is averaging almost six yards per carry despite playing for an SEC team with an inexperienced quarterback. He has literally carried Alabama this season.
- Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor
Griffin III has been carrying the Bears all year, but his stunning comeback against Kansas and a big game in an upset win against Oklahoma finally put him on the national radar. Overall, his numbers are ridiculous. He has thrown for more than 3,500 yards and 33 touchdowns and added another 550 yards on the ground and five more touchdowns. Perhaps even more impressively is the fact he has thrown just five interceptions on the year. There probably isn’t another player that has meant as much to their team’s success this season, and he has real chance to sneak up and win himself a Heisman.
- Case Keenum, Quarterback, Houston
Houston is undefeated, Keenum has set just about every passing record in existence, and his numbers this year are better than ever. He has thrown for 4,269 yards and 38 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. With all the upsets that have happened in college football this year, the Cougars could end up in a BCS bowl. With Keenum’s ridiculous numbers, the voters could be won over.
- Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin
If not for two Hail Mary passes, the Badgers would be undefeated and Ball may be the frontrunner for the Heisman. He has been a workhorse for Wisconsin all season, amassing 1,466 yards on 6.6 yards per carry. More importantly, he has an incredible 25 rushing touchdowns and 30 total touchdowns. In terms of numbers, Ball stacks up with any other player in contention for the Heisman. While he has been consistently strong throughout the year, the fact that the Badgers lost their two biggest games will hurt his chances.
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