NCAA Heisman Watch — The Doctor’s Top 10 October 4, 2011 — Week 5

Five weeks and counting into the 2011 college football season! There have been some excellent performances thus far and I am sure there will be many more still to come this season.

QB Kellen Moore is on pace for 40 plus TD passes this season and very possibly another undefeated season.

Stanford’s QB Andrew Luck continues putting up solid numbers but is more hype than substance.

Michigan’s QB Denard Robinson is one of the Division I leaders in rushing but is not up to par passing. Still, total numbers and an undefeated record at this point in the season put him solidly into the Heisman Watch.

Baylor’s QB Robert Griffin III continues to amaze with his passing prowess but even his arm could not bring Baylor a victory against Kansas State.

South Carolina’s RB Marcus Lattimore may have put up over 200 rushing yards against Navy a couple of weeks ago but this past week against Auburn he looked very average with just 66 rushing yards and 3.9 yards per carry average. He gets another week reprieve but just barely.

Oregon’s RB LaMichael James had a bye week but may finally play another real defense in two weeks (Arizona State). So far he has put up big numbers against mediocre opposition (Missouri State and Arizona)and struggled mightily against better teams (LSU and Nevada).

University of Wisconsin Quarterback Russell Wilson Is a clear front runner at this point in the season and barring injury or a total collapse of his offensive line Russell Wilson will be the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. Wilson completely dismantled the 8th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers this past week.

What can I say except that Nebraska’s QB Taylor Martinez is out of the Top 10 Heisman Watch and will have a rough road to try and get back into consideration, after the Badgers totally shut him down.

Clemson Quarterback Tajh Boyd came down to earth this past week against Virginia Tech but did manage to lead Clemson to another victory.

Wisconsin Badger running back James White appears to be slipping and will not be close to the Top 10 unless he puts up 100+ yards in every remaining game this season.
On the other hand, Wisconsin’s Montee Ball is solidifying his position in the Top 10 Heisman Watch by coming up with another big game. Big numbers against 8th ranked Nebraska put the stamp of approval on Ball’s worthiness to be in under consideration for this year’s Heisman Trophy award. Montee has over 500 rushing yards in five games and also leads the nation in scoring.

New to the Top 10 Heisman Watch list is Alabama’s Running Back Trent Richardson. He is now 4th in the nation in rushing and has managed big games against the likes of Penn State (111 rushing yards and 2 TDs rushing), Arkansas (126 rushing yards and 1 TD receiving) and Florida (181 rushing yards and 2 TDs rushing).

This week’s Doctor’s 2 to watch are WR Marquess Wilson, Washington State and WR Stephen Hill Georgia Tech. Marquess has pulled in 21 receptions for 550 yards. That is 26.2 yards per catch. Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill has only grabbed 15 passes thrown his way but they have been for 502 yards or 33.5 yards per catch. Some really huge numbers and should get these receivers a little consideration for the Heisman Watch. Missouri’s Josey had a bye week but if he continues to put up numbers that make LaMichael James look pedestrian he will be back in the Top 10 of the Heisman Watch.

This week I am assigning a numbered ranking for the first time this year.

Top 10 Heisman List by the Doctor’s Gut Feeling.

1Russell WilsonWisconsin

QB

2Robert Griffin IIIBaylor

QB

3LaMichael JamesOregon

RB

4Denard RobinsonMichigan

QB

5Tajh BoydClemson

QB

6Kellen MooreBoise State

QB

7Montee BallWisconsin

RB

8Andrew LuckStanford

QB

9Marcus LattimoreSouth Carolina

RB

10Trent RichardsonAlabama

RB

Let’s see how the numbers stack up at the end of the year when the Heisman ballots are cast and counted.