It's still not the appropriate time to destroy the BCS. Several different scenarios have to play themselves out before we go down that road.
Therefore, let's get straight to the Heisman Watch...
RankPlayer, Position, SchoolRecent Game StatsSeason StatsNext Game1Brandon Weeden, QB,Oklahoma State31-37, 423 yards, 5 TD in66-6 win at Texas Tech313-428 (73), 3635 yards,31 TD, 9 INTAt Iowa State2Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford27-41, 271 yards, 3 TD, 2INT in 53-30 loss to No. 7 Oregon221-313 (71), 2695 yards,29 TD, 7 INT, 2 rush TDCalifornia3Trent Richardson, RB,Alabama32 rush, 127 yards, TD in24-7 win at Mississippi State204 rush, 1205 yards (5.9YPC), 18 TD, 318 rec. yards, rec. TDGeorgia Southern4Case Keenum, QB, Houston22-29, 325 yards, 3 TD in73-17 win over Tulane279-376 (74), 3951 yards,37 TD, 3 INT, 2 rush TDSouthern Methodist5LaMichael James, RB, Oregon20 rush, 146 yards, 3 TD in53-30 at No. 4 Stanford153 rush, 1207 yards (7.9YPC), 12 TD, 175 rec. yards, rec. TDUSC (No. 18 AP Poll)
On the bubble: Landry JonesQBOklahoma, Kellen MooreQBBoise State
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Analysis:
1) Brandon Weeden -- Weeden was ranked fifth in last week's standings and and I also said, "Trap game coming up this weekend as the Cowboys head to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech." Well, the 28-year old, former 2nd round pick of the New York Yankees, had a near perfect performance in the Cowboys' 66-6 beatdown of the Red Raiders (I still don't know how Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech at home a few weeks back). Weeden has a better completion percentage and has thrown more touchdowns than Andrew Luck. He has also thrown for nearly 1,000 more yards than Luck, but it's hard to take this into account given that he has thrown the ball 115 more times (Luck averages 8.6 yards per attempt compared to Weeden's 8.5 yards per throw). Ultimately, Weeden is in the driver's seat now because if the he plays exceptionally well in two more Oklahoma State victories, the Cowboys will be playing in the national title game and he could very well win the Heisman.2) Andrew Luck -- Oddly enough, Luck was able to overcome a pick-six he threw near the end of regulation against USC three weeks ago, but wasn't able to lead Stanford back after his first quarter interception was turned into eight Oregon points (they characteristically went for two and were successful). The reason? Oregon is flat-out better than Stanford. Luck wound up throwing two interceptions (the second was a dropped pass that deflected right to an Oregon defender who returned it for a touchdown) and he also lost a fumble. He also throw three touchdowns and for the majority of the game looked every bit like the Andrew Luck we are accustomed to seeing. However, he admitted it was the worst game he played all season and Stanford suffered a blowout loss that dropped them to No. 9 in the BCS. Thus, Luck was knocked off his perch by Weeden. But do not fear Stanford fans -- because Luck has two more opportunities on national television to regain the top spot.
3) Trent Richardson -- The future Doak Walker Award winner received a season-high 32 carries against Mississippi State, and racked up a modest 127 yards and a touchdown. It will be hard for Richardson to leap both Weeden and Luck at this point, and because his team only has two games left, he could end up getting leaped by either Case Keenum or the other running back who checks in at No. 5 (who both have three games left to accumulate stats). Forget the Heisman, Richardson just hopes that either LSU or Oklahoma State slip up so he can showcase his talent in the BCS title game.4) Case Keenum -- Shockingly, Keenum wasn't able to break any more NCAA records over the weekend after he did so three consecutive weeks prior (what's left to break?). He has done everything needed to become a legitimate Heisman candidate, and will definitely be in New York for the presentation if Houston finishes 13-0. Consider yourself warned Case -- if your team loses, you will not make a BCS game and you will fall out of the Heisman race. See: Kellen Moore.
5) LaMichael James -- Remember when Oregon lost to LSU back on September 3 and LaMichael James' Heisman hopes were dashed because he only rushed for 54 yards (he also rushed for a TD and led Oregon with 61 receiving yards)? Well, despite the fact he missed two games because of a gruesome elbow injury he sustained against Cal on October 6, James is back in the Heisman hunt after rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns against the No. 4 ranked Stanford Cardinal. In two fewer games than Richardson, James has rushed for two more yards -- made possible by his three straight 200-plus-yard performances against Missouri State, Arizona and Cal. James should put up huge numbers over the Ducks' final three games, cementing an invitation to New York City.
Drew Shiller is a Web Producer at CSNBayArea.com. You can follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller