2012 College Football Heisman Trophy Power Rankings: Top 5 Contenders after Week 10: Believe it or not, we are already heading into the home stretch of the college football season. The four-way battle to reach the BCS title game is still in full force, and the list of Heisman frontrunners continues to be a revolving door. Names like Geno Smith, Seth Doege and Jadeveon Clowney have all seen their hopes dashed by losses in recent weeks, opening the door for a couple of new players to climb the ranks. Many of the top contenders are from the same teams in the thick of the national title hunt, but there are a few outsiders hoping to crash the party, as well. With 10 weeks of the 2012-13 college football season in the books, here is a look at how the top Heisman candidates stack up.
2012 College Football Heisman Trophy Power Rankings: Top 5 Contenders after Week 10
1. Collin Klein, Quarterback, Kansas State Wildcats
He had to leave Kansas State’s game against Oklahoma State in the second half but not before he had the Wildcats safely out in front. With another win over a top 25 opponent, Bill Snyderr’s bunch is still on track to win the Big 12 and play in the national title game. Meanwhile, Klein remains the frontrunner to win the Heisman thanks to his leadership and dual-threat capability. On the year, he has thrown for 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing more than 71 percent of his passes. He has also rushed for almost 700 yards on 5.0 yards per carry and ranks third in the country with 17 rushing scores. If the Wildcats run the table, it is hard to imagine a scenario where “Optimus” Klein doesn’t win the Heisman.
2. Braxton Miller, Quarterback. Ohio State Buckeyes
At the end of the day, Miller is the main weapon for a 10-0, offensive-minded Ohio State team. He has thrown for 14 scores and more than 1,700 yards, and he has run for another 13 touchdowns and ranks seventh in the country with 1,166 rushing yards. Miller is a big play waiting to happen, and he has been burning defenses all year with his arm and his legs. Yes, it hurts his chances that the Buckeyes are ineligible for postseason play, but Miller shouldn’t be punished for something he had nothing to do with. Outside of Klein, no player has been more important to his team’s success than Miller, and if Kansas State slips up and the Buckeyes run the table, Miller deserves to win the Heisman Trophy.
3. Kenjon Barner, Running Back, Oregon Ducks
It can be tough to get noticed when playing for an offensive juggernaut that has a ton of weapons, but Barner left little doubt that he is the centerpiece of the Ducks’ spread-option attack with his performance this past weekend. He torched USC for a school-record 321 rushing yards to go along with five scores in a big win for Oregon in the L.A. Coliseum, and Barner has now topped 100 yards in five consecutive games. On the year, he is averaging 7.2 yards per carry and is third in the country with 1,295 rushing yards and second with 19 rushing scores. If Barner and the Ducks keep running their way to an undefeated season, he has a shot at taking home the Heisman.
4. A.J. McCarron, Quarterback, Alabama Crimson Tide
While the winning formula for Alabama still revolves around its power running game and defense, McCarron had himself a Heisman moment this past weekend. Down three against fifth-ranked LSU in “Death Valley” at night with less than two minutes to go, McCarron carved up the Tigers’ defense and hit T.J. Yeldon for the game-winning score. On the season, McCarron has thrown 19 touchdowns and no interceptions and is completing 66.7 percent of his passes. Call him a game manager if you want, but he is under center for the No. 1 team in the country, he is playing mistake-free football, and he just engineered the most clutch drive of the college football season. McCarron is a legit Heisman candidate.
5. Colby Cameron, Quarterback, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Unless you really love college football, you probably don’t know who Cameron is despite the fact that he is having an impressive season. He is currently fifth in the country with 2,946 passing yards and third with a 71.2 completion percentage. Not to mention the fact that he ranks in the top 10 in the country with 24 passing touchdowns, and he and Alabama’s A.J. McCarron are the only QBs to rank in the top 20 in passing touchdowns without an interception. It is also worth noting that Cameron has avoided throwing an interception despite 154 more passing attempts than McCarron. He is also under center for an 8-1 Lousiana Tech team that is ranked in the top 25, and in the Bulldogs only loss to a very good Texas A&M team, Cameron threw for 450 yards and five scores. While he isn’t going to win the Heisman playing in the WAC, he does deserve to be in New York if he continues to play his current level.
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