Heisman List: Movement Across the Board

Courtesy of FoxSports.com

Heisman Candidates: Who showed up week 1? Who blew their chance?


10. Jake Locker-- Week 2 Status: Off the list
Why: Locker and the Huskies played a good BYU team this past week. While Locker tried to do everything he could, his heisman moment slipped through his fingertips as Washington lost to BYU 23-17

Week 1 Stats: 20/37, 1 Passing TD, 1 Rushing TD

9. Michael Floyd-- Week 2 Status: 9
Why: Winning the Heisman at the wide reciever position is extremely difficult. Floyd stays on my list because he still had a good game against a good Purdue defense. He needs to have a 100 yard effort versus Michigan (shouldn't be too bad) in order to stay here for another week though

Week 1 Stats: 5 REC 82 YDS

8. Christian Ponder-- Week 2 Status: 8
Why: Ponder got enough time in the Samford game to stay on the list with his performance. Ponder must be able to dominate a shaky Oklahoma defense on National TV in order to creep up a little further on the heisman watch list

Week 1 Stats: 12/14 167 YDS, 4 TDS, 1 INT
7. Kellen Moore-- Week 2 Status: 4
Why: Kellen Moore was able to bring Boise State back against a VT defense that had stopped his offense for nearly the entire 2nd half. Without missing a step, Moore marched Boise State down the field for the winning touchdown. "Ice in his veins" will be said more times than ever after such an amazing performance against a Top 10 team.

Week 1 Stats: 23/38 215 YDS, 3 TDS
6. Matt Barkley-- Week 2 Status: 6

Week 1 Stats: 18/23 257 YDS, 5 TDS
5. Ryan Williams-- Week 2 Status: 8
Why: Three touchdowns do look good, but Ryan Williams could not run at all against Boise State on Monday night. 3 TDS do keep Williams on the list, but he has a lot to prove before a Heisman can come within reach

Week 1 Stats: 41 YDS, 2 TDS: 2 REC, 1 TD

4. Dion Lewis-- Week 2 Status: Off the List
Why: In the biggest OOC game in Pittsburgh's season, Dion Lewis was shut down to a great degree as Utah beat the Panthers in Utah.

Week 1 Stats: 75 YDS, 1 TD
3. Case Keenum-- Week 2 Status: 3

Week 1 Stats: 17/22 274 YDS, 5 TDS, 2 INTS
2. Terrelle Pryor-- Week 2 Status: 2

Week 1 Stats: 17/25 247 YDS, 3 TDS
1. Ryan Mallett-- Week 2 Status: 1

Week 1 Stats: 21/24, 301 YDS, 3 TDS, 1 INT



How the new list shakes out:

10. Cam Newton

9. Christian Ponder

8. Michael Floyd

7. Ryan Williams

6. Matt Barkley

5. Denard Robinson

4. Kellen Moore

3. Case Keenum

2. Terrelle Pryor

1. Ryan Mallett

Conference Preview: Standings in the ACC

Wujciak is a complete beast

ACC Atlantic

1) Florida State
2) Boston College
3) Clemson
4) Maryland
5) Wake Forest
6) NC State

Who wins the Division: Florida State

ACC Coastal

1) Virginia Tech
2) Miami
3) Georgia Tech
4) North Carolina
5) Duke
6) Virginia

Who wins the Division: Virginia Tech

ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech vs. Florida State

Winner: Virginia Tech

ACC Offensive Player of the Year: Montel Harris

ACC Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Wujciak

Freshman of the Year: Jeff Luc (FSU)

Previewing the Conference: Big East

Courtesy of rushthecourt.net

By Warren Lent
Teams with chances in the Big East

-Pittsburgh- Predicted Chance: 42%-- Returning---Offense: (5 of 11) Defense: (6 of 11)

Offense Impact Players: Dion Lewis RB, Jon Baldwin WR
Defense Impact players: Max Gruder LB, Greg Romeus DE

Why: Dion Lewis is one of the best running backs in the country and proved it last season with over 1,800 yards rushing. His dominance last season could be repeated this year as dependence on him grows greater. It looks like sophomore Tino Sunseri will replace Bill Stull at quarterback, but has Jon Baldwin as a receiver to boot. Both Baldwin and Lewis are top shelf at their position, and darkhorse candidates for the Heisman trophy. Pitt has good returning depth including Greg Romeus (8 sacks) and looks to keep opponents under 20 ppg once again this year. The Panthers will play all of their important conference games in November, but could be tripped up by teams like Rutgers and Louisville in October. The last 3 of 4 games in conference are away when they play @Connecticut, @USF, and @Cincinnati. They also play WVU at home in the backyard brawl. Asking for 4-0 out of those games may be asking too much, but going 3-1 is definitely realistic.

-West Virginia- Predicted Chance: 39%-- Returning--- Offense (7 of 11) Defense (9 of 11)

Offensive Impact Players: Noel Devine RB
Defensive Impact Players: Pat Lazear LB, Julian Miller DE

Why: While WVU doesn't have the receiving playmaker Pittsburgh does, they are almost dead even in every other category. Noel Devine is the most exciting running back in the Big East (Sorry Dion) and can break out for a touchdown any given play. On defense, Julian Miller (9 sacks) will cause havoc on the defensive line as much as he can. With the Mountaineers schedule, they are able to host all other viable BE champs besides Pittsburgh and Connecticut. QB Geno Smith will need to step up and become a game manager if WVU wants to make a trip to the Orange Bowl.

-Cincinnati- Predicted Chance: 19%-- Returning--- Offense (7 of 11) Defense (5 of 11)

Offensive Impact Players: Zach Collaros QB, Armon Binns
Defensive Impact Players: Walter Stewart LB

Why: Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard are gone on an offense that led the Bearcats to the Sugar Bowl. Depth at quarterback was not an issue last year as Zach Collaros actually made a push to start over Pike. Gilyard was an extremely good wide reciever, but Armon Binns could be a great replacement at the #1 receiving position. The defense only returned one starter in 2009 so they will definitely improve this season.

Previewing the Conferences: Mountain West Conference

Courtesy of collegefabricstore.com

By Warren Lent

Teams with chances for the Conference:

-TCU- Predicted chance: 53%-- Great offense with almost all players returning (9 of 11).
Impact players: Andy Dalton QB, Matthew Tucker RB, Jeremey Kerley WR

Defense- Rebuilding, but still very powerful. Returning (7 of 11)
Impact players: Tank Carder MLB, Wayne Daniels DE

Why: I give them 53% chance because they are definitely the favorites to win the conference, but Utah and BYU are always in the hunt. TCU hosts BYU, but has to travel to Utah which should effectively decide the conference.

-BYU- Predicted chance: 7%-- Freshman quarterback, other impact players need to step up. Returning (7 of 11)

Impact Players: Jake Heaps QB, Matt Reynolds LT

Defense- Underclassmen need to improve to have a consistent defensive effort. Returning (5 of 11 on defense)

Impact Players: Andrew Rich FS, Zac Stout LB

Why: The odds are against the Cougars this year. QB Max Hall has graduated, and the weight of the world on the shoulders of true freshman Jake Heaps. BYU has to travel to TCU AND Utah during the season. While a win in each game is attainable, it is very unlikely.

-Utah-Predicted Chance: 33%-- Explosive backfield, Smooth quarterback. Returning (8 of 11 on offense)

Impact Players: Jordan Wynn QB, Jereme Brooks WR

Defense- Only return 4 of 11, but they have some very good potential with their underclassmen

Impact Players: Derrick Shelby DE, VJ Fehoko MLB

Why: While TCU seems to have a slight talent advantage, Utah is able to host two possible MWC champs at home this year. They host TCU and BYU.

-Air Force- Predicted Chance: 2%-- Good running back, very good defense. Returning (5 of 11 on offense)

Impact Players: Jared Tew RB, Asher Clark RB

Defense- Very good linebacking corps, but lacks true experience

Why: 2% isn't much at all, but at least its something. With the triple option offense, anything is possible (see Navy vs. Notre Dame 2009) but don't count on seeing AF any further than #3 in the MWC.

Breaking Down the Top 25: #25 West Virginia

Courtesty of gossipcraze.com

By Warren Lent

As Steve Slaton and Pat White graduated in 2007 and 2008 respectively, an era of 11 win seasons seemed to have lost its affection with the Mountaineers. After the controversial departure of Rich Rodriguez, Bill Stewart quickly stepped in and restored order. Since his reign has begun, he has led WVU to two straight 9-4 years in '08 and '09. With a solid defense and one of the most explosive running backs in the country, WVU could have a BCS berth in sight when all is said and done.

#25 West Virginia-

2009 record: 9-3

Better or Worse in 2010: Worse

September 4th: Coastal Carolina-- W
Why: A tune up game for the season. Nothing more, nothing less.
September 10th: @Marshall-- W
Why: Well fought game by the in-state rivals, but 2010 is not the year for Marshall in their own division, let alone their rivalry games. Too many losses on the roster to compete all 60 minutes.
September 18th: Maryland-- W
Why: Maryland sports a great wide reciever and a fantastic linebacker. The problem is, no decision has been made as to who the quarterback will be next season for the Terps. QB indecision= WVU defensive domination.
September 25th: @LSU-- L
Why: Winning is the bayou is difficult enough for an SEC team, but WVU has the defense to keep themselves in the game for all four quarters. The offense will not be able to follow through as they face another great defense.

October 2nd: BYE
October 9th: UNLV-- W
Why: UNLV sports a decent team this year and could probably compete with WVU on their own turf, but in the last 3 years, the Runnin' Rebels have gone 3-13 in away games.
October 14th: USF-- L
Why: USF have made some buzz in the last few weeks and have become darkhorse candidates in the Big East. While they might not win the BE this year, they will destroy other teams' chances. Exhibit A: West Virginia.

October 23rd: Syracuse-- W
Why: Syracuse have a few very good defensive players, but their quarterback situation make it tough to beat a Mountaineer team while they're in Morgantown. WVU supporters may be sweating for the first half, but depth and talent is on the side of God's state.

October 29th: @Connecticut-- W
Why: This was one of my toss up games for WVU, but at this point, I have to go with the Mountaineers. Connecticut has a great offense and has a talented defense but WVU is able to find a way to win this game with the senior leadership of Devine and Lazear.

November 6th: BYE

November 13th: Cincinnati-- L
Why: UC is rebuilding with a new coach, but Zach Collaros and company can put up at least 21 on any given saturday. UC averaged 38 points per game last season with Collaros at the helm for a few of their games. Cincinnati finds a few holes in the WVU defense and exploits them enough to escape WVU with a win.
November 20th: @Louisville-- W
Why: Louisville is still in rebuilding mode and won't be able to fight a great defense and an elusive RB for the full 60.
November 27th: @Pittsburgh-- L
Why: WVU grabbed a great win in the backyard brawl last season with a late field goal, but in Pittsburgh, the Panthers are itching for another shot at WVU. A Big East Championship could hang in the balance in this game, and Pittsburgh will kill two birds in one stone as they make their way towards a BCS game.
December 4th: Rutgers-- W
Why: A very difficult schedule could have RU limping into Morgantown. WVU smells blood and takes care of business against a Rutgers team they will be much more scared of in the years to come.

2010 Preseason Prediction: (8-4) (4-3)