- Associated Press - Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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.

___

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.

___

Follow Ralph D. Russo on Twitter at https://Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

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