The front-runners across the country didn’t do too much to bolster their standing last weekend, making the forecast for the Heisman Trophy even cloudier than before. Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace and MSU junior wide receiver Charles Rogers enjoyed bye weeks, while Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich was somewhat overshadowed by Marshall running back Franklin Wallace, who was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Offensive Player of the Week.
Front-runners:
Charles Rogers
junior wide receiver, MSU
The Heisman hype surrounding Rogers hasn’t calmed down after a modest performance - three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown - against Northwestern and bye last weekend. In fact, the media’s infatuation with him continues to grow. Rogers might appear in MTV’s “True Life” in the coming weeks. Last time Rogers was in action, he set the NCAA record with at least one touchdown catch in 13 consecutive games. He’ll have a chance to add to his record against Iowa this weekend. In five games, Rogers has 32 receptions for 687 yards and seven touchdowns.
Seneca Wallace
senior quarterback, Iowa State
Wallace has emerged as arguably the nation’s top run-pass threat. After leading the Cyclones to one of the biggest wins in school history - a 36-14 dismantling of Nebraska - Wallace took a well-deserved week off. He has been the main reason Iowa State has risen to be the 11th-ranked squad in the nation and put 41.3 points up per game. But he could quickly fall off the Heisman map if he fails to lead his team to a victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. If he passes that challenge, road trips to No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Texas, respectively, await him in consecutive weeks.
On the season, Wallace has completed 109-of-170 (64.1 percent) passes for 1,653 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. His pass efficiency rating is 158.15. On the ground, he has five rushing touchdowns. He ranks 10th nationally in total offense with 294.7 yards per game.
Byron Leftwich
senior quarterback, Marshall
In the Thundering Herds’ 42-21 victory over Kent State, Leftwich threw for 377 yards, two touchdowns and two picks, while completing 31-of-45 passes. Considering the limited exposure Marshall will receive the rest of the season, the robust southpaw might need to come closer to perfection - fewer interceptions - than last week and continue getting Ws to hang with the candidates from larger programs. In four games, he’s completed 117-of-184 passes (63.6 percent) for 1,592 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. His pass efficiency rating is 150.56.
Dark horse:
Willis McGahee
sophomore tailback, Miami
McGahee’s performances this season still have some Heisman Trophy voters trying to determine who’s the best player on the Hurricanes team - him or senior quarterback Ken Dorsey, who still has a legitimate shot at the award. In his last game against Connecticut, he only needed 11 carries to crack the 100-yard barrier for the fourth consecutive game. His 107-yard, three touchdown performance gives him 640 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
A standout performance against Florida State on Saturday could catapult McGahee into the forefront of the Heisman race. However, another victory with Dorsey under center could further the confusion.
