Week 9: Heisman frontrunners

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While it’s still a little early to say who the leader is for the Heisman trophy, here’s the top five we have after week 8.

1. Collin Klein, Kansas State

 Stats: 10 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 14 rushing touchdowns, 551 rushing (63rd), 1379 passing (85th), 2nd in passing efficiency, 32nd in total offense

Collin Klein has been soldering along at Kansas State with about 1/8th the amount of hype that any of the other 5 are getting. Klein’s numbers and the wins he’s led his team to show that he should be at the top of this list for the moment.

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia

 Stats: 26 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 1 rushing touchdowns, 2414 passing (2nd), 4th in passing efficiency, 5th in total offense

While Geno Smith’s last two games have been way short of spectacular, the first half of the season he was outstanding and you cannot ignore that. We have to remember that there is more football to be played and if Geno actually is a Heisman contender, West Virginia will have to bounce back from their last two embarrassing losses.

3. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

 Stats: 14 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 10 rushing touchdowns, 703 rushing (29th), 1956 passing (23rd), 34th in passing efficiency, 3rd in total offense

Yes, Texas A&M lost to LSU this past weekend and LSU and their ridiculous defense shut down Manziel enough to get the win on the road, but Manziel is just a FRESHMAN. He’s shown poise and maturity both running the ball and in the pocket. A&M will have a lot of tough games coming up for Manziel to prove whether he deserves to be on this list.

4. AJ McCarron, Alabama

 Stats: 16 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1476 passing (79th), 1st in passing efficiency, 75th in total offense

Silently sitting at the bottom of the list is AJ McCarron. McCarron and the Tide are undefeated and moving along through SEC play. They’ll get their first real tests of the season over the next two weeks though as they face undefeated Mississippi State and their secondary, and LSU and their defensive line. McCarron has no interceptions through 8 weeks of play…spectacular.

5. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

Stats: 4 interceptions (6th), 1 fumble recovery (17th), 28 solo tackles (23rd), 2 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups, 4 quarterback hurries

The Notre Dame linebacker is probably the best in the country to this point. Te’0 is leading the Notre Dame defense that is 6th in the country. Yes, that’s right, Notre Dame’s total defensive ranking is 6th!

Just Missed: (will probably be 5th next week)

Baylor quarterback Nick Florence

Stats: 20 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 4 rushing touchdowns, 2226 passing (16th), 3rd in passing efficiency, 1st in total offense