CNNSI.com's Heisman Watch

Willis McGahee's 69-yard TD run against Pitt swung momentum in Miami's favor. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

College football producer Luke Winn will track the Heisman race for CNNSI.com all season long.

The e-mails have been pouring in from Pennsylvania and regions east, with similar subjects: "Open your eyes." "You've got to be kidding me." And one common topic: Why, or rather, How is it possible that Penn State's Larry Johnson isn't No. 1 in the Heisman Watch? How can a 2,000-yard rusher, the nation's leader in total offense, not be ahead of Miami's Willis McGahee, the owner of a mere 1,350 yards?

The answer? Johnson is undoubtedly a serious contender. But in all likelihood, he'll fall victim to the theory that decided this season's AL MVP race: Gaudy stats, without big wins, are not good enough.

Texas' Alex Rodriguez produced mindboggling numbers for a shortstop (.300, 57 HRs, 142 RBIs), but his Rangers were a far cry from a contender. Miguel Tejada, playing the same position, had lesser statistics (.308, 34, 131), but distinguished himself by carrying Oakland to an AL West crown -- and Miggie ran away with the MVP vote.

At 9-3, Johnson's Nittany Lions are no Rangers -- but they failed to win a single big, Big Ten game. McGahee's Hurricanes, meanwhile, are 10-0 -- and when the going's been tough, they've been on No. 2's back.

Whether this year's Heisman will be an MVP, an MOP or a career acheivement award remains to be seen. And while the debate, I'm afraid, is far from over, McGahee stays atop this list.

The Top Five:

1. Willis McGahee, Miami, Soph., TB
Thursday (vs. Pittsburgh): 19 carries, 159 yards, 2 TDs
Season (10-0): 209 carries, 1,347 yards (134.7 ypg.), 19 TDs
(See above)

2. Brad Banks, Iowa, Sr., QB
Last Game (vs. Minnesota): 9-of-17, 100 yards, 2 TDs, 2 rushing TDs in 45-21 win
Season (11-1): 155-of-258 (60.1 percent), 2,369 yards, 25 TDs, 4 INTs
Banks shouldn't be penalized for the fact that his regular season ended on Nov. 16, but the Outta Sight, Outta Mind theory may hurt No. 7.

3. Larry Johnson, Penn State, Sr., RB
Last Week (vs. Michgan State): 19 carries, 279 yards, 4 TDs in first half of 61-7 win
Season (9-3): 251 carries, 2,015 yards (167.9 ypg), 20 TDs
(See above)

4. Carson Palmer, USC, Sr., QB
Last Week (vs. UCLA): 19-of-32, 254 yards, 4 TDs in 52-21 win
Season (9-2): 256-of-412 (62.1 percent), 3,214 yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs
A late surge (19 TD passes in his last five games) has him neck-and-neck with Banks as the nation's top QB. Will it continue against Notre Dame on Saturday?

5. Ken Dorsey, Miami, Sr., QB
Last Week (vs. Pitt): 14-of-26, 163 yards, TD, INT in 28-21 win
Season (10-0): 166-of-305 (54.4 percent), 2,428 yards, 22 TDs, 9 INTs
He's still lingering as the nation's only QB with a 36-1 career record, but man, that first half against Pitt was full of ducks.

On the radar:
No one. One of the five above will win the trophy -- and that's about the only thing not up for debate.

Want to weigh in with your own opinion? Vote in The People's Heisman.

 

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