Heisman Tracker: Oklahoma State Quarterback Brandon Weeden and Oregon Running Back LaMichael James Are On The Climb

Read More: 2011 heisman candidates, Russell Wilson (QB - Wisconsin), Brandon Weeden (QB - Oklahoma St.), Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.), Case Keenum (QB - Houston), Robert Griffin III (QB - Baylor), Landry Jones (QB - Oklahoma), LaMichael James (RB - Oregon), Andrew Luck (QB - Stanford), Trent Richardson (RB - Alabama), Stanford Cardinal, Oklahoma St. Cowboys

1. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State quarterback

Let's play a game. Which offense would like to face the least? Oregon? Houston? Boise State? How about a Weeden-led Oklahoma State team? An offense that averages 52 points a game is a big reason why the Cowboys currently sit at #2 in the BCS standings. Last week against Texas Tech, all Weeden did was complete 31 of 37 passes for 423 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. Weeden and the Cowboys travel to Iowa State this weekend, which should be a warm-up for the following week's clash with Oklahoma.

2. LaMichael James, Oregon running back

I don't care if James missed a couple games this year. He's already rushed for 1207 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sorry Trent Richardson and David Wilson, but James is the best running back in the country. (Or at least the most opportunistic.) His numbers against Stanford? How about 20 carries for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. Decent day at the office. He'll need to do it again this weekend against USC to merit serious consideration for the trophy.

3. Case Keenum, Houston quarterback

If this race was won purely based on statistics, Keenum would be our winner. He's completing 74% of his passes and boasts a touchdown passes-to-interception ratio of 37:3. (Maybe he'd be a good fit in the arena league?) However, I don't have much of an answer for the biggest knock on him: Houston's schedule. The best teams they play are UCLA and Tulsa, neither of which are ranked. 

4. Andrew Luck, Stanford quarterback

When Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin's and Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson's teams lost, they plummeted in the Heisman race. When Luck's team lost, he...oh wait, he's still on top of ESPN's list. Clearly, there's a lot of man crushes going on here. Heisman winners and lottery picks are not necessarily synonymous. (Just ask Charlie Word or Eric Crouch.) This is not to suggest Luck played terribly against Oregon, but his two picks were definitely costly. Luck's Cardinals look to get back on track when they host Cal this weekend.

5. Kellen Moore, Boise State quarterback

Three losses in four seasons does not eliminate someone from my list. Moore was brilliant against TCU last weekend--28 of 38 passing for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions--even in a losing effort, just like he's been brilliant in every other game this year. He's a machine. If anything, he deserves to be higher on the list.

Honorable Mentions: Trent Richardson (Alabama running back), Robert Griffin III (Baylor quarterback), Russell Wilson (Wisconsin quarterback), David Wilson (Virginia Tech running back), Landry Jones (Oklahoma quarterback)