5. Mike Hart, Michigan, RB, Sr.
 | Mike Hart isn't helping his Heisman cause by standing on the sidelines. Tony Ding/Icon SMI |
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Last week: Did not play in a 37-21 loss at Wisconsin
Season: 215 rushes, 1,188 yards, 12 TDs; 7 receptions, 43 yards
Heisman-o-meter: This mighty mite could have played on that gimpy ankle, but coach Lloyd Carr decided to let him heal one more week so that he can be ready for Saturday's showdown against Ohio State. Per Watch policy, Hart has not been penalized for sitting out with injury, but it gets harder each week to make a case for a guy who has not played in a little more than three games this season. Because of the missed games, Hart doesn't even show up in the latest NCAA rankings. He can make up for his lost time with a huge effort on Saturday.
Up next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Ohio State
6. Pat White, West Virginia, QB, Jr.
Last week: 16-of-25 passing, 181 yards, 2 TDs; 24 rushes, 147 yards, 1 TD in a 38-31 victory over Louisville
Season: 107-of-155 passing, 1,251 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs; 120 rushes, 803 yards, 10 TDs
Heisman-o-meter: It was an up-and-down game against Louisville for White, who ran well at the start and then lost two fumbles before closing it out with a 50-yard sprint that broke a 31-31 tie with 1:36 remaining to keep the Mountaineers with one loss. I bet he's the only Heisman candidate who will do a flip on the sideline this season to prove he's OK to re-enter the game (which he felt compelled to do after losing a fumble on a hard hit by the Cardinals). His numbers don't match others on this list, but he's as just as important as many on here.
Up next: Saturday at No. 21 Cincinnati
7. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, RB, Jr.
Last week: Idle
Season: 177 rushes, 1,142 yards, 10 TDs; 16 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD; 19 kickoff returns, 527 yards
Heisman-o-meter: Because of his dual-threat teammate Dixon, Stewart has been getting very little publicity, but there's no denying he's one of the best running backs in the country. His 6.45 yards per carry is second best among running backs in the top 40. And he does more than just run the ball. He has 19 kickoff returns this season, even more than the multitalented Darren McFadden.
Up next: Thursday at Arizona
8. Matt Ryan, Boston College, QB, Sr.
Last week: 33-of-56 passing, 421 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 7 rushes, minus-23 yards in a 42-35 loss at Maryland
Season: 276-of-465 passing, 3,269 yards, 24 TDs, 13 INTs; 40 rushes, 23 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 1 yard
Heisman-o-meter: Oh, how the Eagle has crash landed. Atop this list just two weeks ago, Ryan was hit by the interception bug again (he has only three interception-free games this season) as BC lost to Maryland, thus pretty much costing him any hopes on this ballot. His skills may be tantalizing (that's why I'm keeping him on the list), but they can't make up for all of the picks.
Up next: Saturday at No. 15 Clemson
9. Todd Reesing, Kansas, QB, Soph.
Last week: 27-of-40 passing, 318 yards, 3 TDs; 2 rushes, minus-6 yards in a 43-28 victory at Oklahoma State
Season: 207-of-334 passing, 2,657 yards, 26 TDs, 4 INTs; 72 rushes, 197 yards, 1 TD
Heisman-o-meter: Listed (emphasis on the word listed) at just 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Reesing makes his debut on the Watch. As he showed on Saturday, Reesing is the triggerman of the Jayhawks' spread attack, able to hit short passes while also having the mobility to keep plays alive. (See: second-quarter pass to Dexton Fields.) He also rarely makes a mistake. (He has thrown just four interceptions all season and none in his last 179 attempts.) Oh, and he wins.
Up next: Saturday vs. Iowa State
10. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, WR, Fr.
Last week: 9 receptions, 195 yards, 2 TDs in a 59-43 loss at No. 15 Texas
Season: 113 receptions, 1,707 yards, 20 TDs; 1 kickoff return, 16 yards
Heisman-o-meter: Regular Watch readers know that I've hesitated on bringing Crabtree back to this list since I think quarterback Graham Harrell, not Crabtree, is the catalyst for the Red Raiders' offense. But there's no denying what this freshman and his fleet feet have done this season. On his 69-yard touchdown against the Longhorns, he simply dusted the Texas defensive backs to the end zone. The problem was, as has been the case with many of Crabtree's scores this season, that touchdown came with less than a minute left in the game and meant nothing except to the final score.
Up next: Saturday vs. No. 3 Oklahoma
