The Heisman Trophy race took a turn for the worse this week, as most of the candidates had horrible games. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton threw two interceptions, Texas running back Cedric Benson didn't break the 100-yard mark, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White played OK in a 12-0 win over Texas and Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart didn't play well either, throwing for less than 200-yards for the first time this season. The dark horse candidate, Louisiana Tech running back Ryan Moats, also had a weak performance - three carries for zero yards. So that spot has once again been eliminated as another Pac Ten quarterback emerges.
Front runners
Matt Leinart
junior quarterback, Southern Cal
Leinart had his worst game of the season against No. 8 California. He was only 15-for-24 for 164 yards passing and one interception. He did, however, throw two touchdown passes and led his team to a 23-17 victory over the Golden Bears.
It doesn't get any easier for Leinart or the Trojans as they face off against No. 15 Arizona State (5-0, 2-0) and quarterback Andrew Walter. If Leinart performs as badly as he did last week, he might find himself not on this list and his team might find themselves not the No. 1 team in the country.
Kyle Orton
senior quarterback, Purdue
Orton also had his worst game of the season as he saw his streak of no interceptions come to an end. He threw two picks against Penn State (2-4, 0-3) last weekend, but was still 24-for-35 for 275 yards and one touchdown. The key statistic once again was the getting the win on the road in Happy Valley.
Orton has completed 119 of 172 passes this season for 18 touchdowns and 1642 yards. Purdue faces No. 10 Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0) this weekend at home.
Cedric Benson
senior running back, Texas
Benson's consistency potion ran out against Oklahoma, as he amassed only 92 yards on 23 carries and no touchdowns - Texas was shut out 12-0. He did, however, catch a season-high three passes for 33 yards in the Red River Shootout.
Benson is still high on this list because most of the "front runners" had a bad week. He gets a chance to bounce back Saturday against a solid Missouri team. He said he would rather win the Heisman than beat Oklahoma. Now he doesn't have to worry about beating the Sooners, something he never did in his career at Texas, and can just concentrate on winning the Heisman Trophy.
Aaron Rodgers
junior quarterback, California
Rodgers did everything he could to get his team the win last Saturday against Southern California. He came up one score short in a six point loss. However, Rodgers did outplay Leinart in the Trojans own backyard. He was 29-for-34 for 267 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. If he can continue to put up big numbers the rest of the way, he will stay in the Heisman Trophy chase.
Rodgers is 72-for-92 on the season with 881 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Next up for Rodgers and the Bears is UCLA (4-1, 2-0).
