Andrew Luck came into this season as one of the most overwhelming Heisman Trophy favorites college football has had in years.
Luck has played well, albeit against Stanford’s relatively weak schedule so far, and according to the Web site Heismanpundit.com, which conducts a weekly straw poll of voters, the junior quarterback is still the clear front-runner.
For better or worse, that can change Saturday when No. 3 Stanford plays No. 6 Oregon. It’s the biggest game on the Cardinal’s schedule and it’s the showcase game of the college football weekend _ scandals aside.
If Luck helps avenge last year’s 52-31 loss in Eugene, and keeps the Cardinal in the national championship race, his Heisman stock should soar. If he and the Stanford stumble, the race would be wide open.
Luck’s statistics are excellent (2,424 yards, 26 touchdown passes and a 174.1 passer rating that is fifth in the country), but not much different than other Heisman contender quarterbacks.
Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson has 2,238 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 196.7 rating. Baylor’s Robert Griffin III has 2,781 yards, 26 touchdown passes and a 188.1. Boise State’s Kellen Moore has 2,229 yards, 29 touchdowns and a 179.5. Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden has 3,212 yards, 26 touchdowns and a 158.5 rating.
Then there is Houston’s Case Keenum, who has been setting NCAA career records weekly and putting up crazy stats for the Cougars. Keenum’s line: 3,626, 34 and 192.4.
Alabama’s loss last week against LSU was a setback for running back Trent Richardson, but he certainly shouldn’t be eliminated from the Heisman race. The Tide’s bruising tailback was the best offensive player on the field in a 9-6 game, with 89 yards rushing and 80 receiving.
He was second in the Heismanpundit.com poll this week. Moore and Keenum were tied for third.
But this Heisman is Luck’s to lose.
The picks:
THURSDAY
No. 10 Virginia Tech (minus 1) at No. 20 Georgia Tech
The winner of this series gone on to win every Coastal Division title … VIRGINIA TECH 28-21.
No. 11 Houston (minus 34) at Tulane
Another Case Keenum stat-padder … HOUSTON 58-21.
SATURDAY
Western Kentucky (plus 41 1-2) at No. 1 LSU
Tigers should get a few touchdowns this week … LSU 48-3.
No. 2 Oklahoma State (minus 17) at Texas Tech
Since beating Oklahoma, Red Raiders have been outscored 93-27 … OKLAHOMA STATE 49-28.
No. 6 Oregon (plus 3 1-2) at No. 3 Stanford
Luck doesn’t disappoint, but Cardinal do … OREGON 38-34.
No. 4 Alabama (minus 17 1-2) at Mississippi State
Tide won’t leave it to the kickers this week … ALABAMA 35-14.
TCU (plus 15) at No. 5 Boise State
This Frogs defense playing nothing like recent stingy editions … BOISE STATE 42-28.
Tennessee (plus 14) at No. 8 Arkansas
Maybe Razorbacks should have volunteered to move to SEC East … ARKANSAS 31-14.
Wake Forest (plus 16 1-2) at No. 9 Clemson
Deacons can win Atlantic division by winning out … CLEMSON 35-21.
No. 19 Nebraska (minus 3 1-2) at No. 12 Penn State
Impossible to know how Nittany Lions will respond … NEBRASKA 21-14
No. 13 Michigan State (minus 2 1-2) at Iowa
Spartans can all but lock up Legends Division … MICHIGAN STATE 27-21.
No. 24 Auburn (plus 13) at No. 14 Georgia
Bulldogs two wins from SEC East title, and next game is Kentucky … GEORGIA 28-17.
Florida (no line) at No. 15 South Carolina
Gators trying to play spoiler to Gamecocks. Strange days for SEC East … FLORIDA 17-16.
BEST BET
No. 16 Wisconsin (minus 27) at Minnesota
Gophers have played much better recently, but Badgers might still be class of Big Ten … WISCONSIN 55-17.
UPSET SPECIAL
Texas A&M (minus 4 1-2) at No. 17 Kansas State
Each team is loss away from promising season getting away from it … KANSAS STATE 35-31.
Washington (plus 12) at No. 18 Southern California
Huskies have won two straight decided on last play of game … USC 42-28.
No. 21 Texas (minus 1) at Missouri
Big 12’s top two rushing teams … TEXAS 28-24.
No. 22 Michigan (minus 1) at Illinois
Wolverines won 67-65 in triple OT last year … MICHIGAN 27-21.
West Virginia (plus 3 1-2) at No. 23 Cincinnati
Bearcats can put the Big East race in a headlock … WEST VIRGINIA 27-24.
UCF (plus 9) at No. 25 Southern Miss
Golden Eagles heading toward CUSA title game showdown against Houston … SOUTHERN MISS 42-17.
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Last week’s record: 10-7 (straight); 7-10 (vs. spread).
Season record: 156-38 (straight); 93-77-1 (vs. spread).
Best bets: 7-3.
Upset specials (vs. spread): 5-5.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo on Twitter at https://Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP
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