A lot has happened in the last three weeks when we didn't print a Heisman Trophy race update. Just like it does every season, only the best players on the best teams are still in the running to win the most coveted trophy in college football.
And many people believe that might be true freshman and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson jumping on the bandwagon.
In addition to the players listed below, Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell and Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards are on the short list as college football enters the final month of regular season play.
Front Runners
Matt Leinart
junior quarterback, Southern Cal
With Leinart leading the way, the Trojans remain undefeated and are three wins away from going to the Orange Bowl to play for the national championship. For the season, Leinart has thrown for 1,863 yards, 21 total touchdowns and four interceptions. This last week against Washington State he completed 23-for-28 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. The Trojans play at Oregon State this week.
Cedric Benson
senior running back, Texas
Benson continues to shred defenses throughout the Big 12 Conference.
He had 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Colorado last week and still is in the running to win the Heisman Trophy. For the season, Benson has rushed for a little less than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as catching 11 passes for 97 for one touchdown. Texas plays at home against No. 19 Oklahoma State this week.
Adrian Peterson
freshman running back, Oklahoma
While he has had two huge games - 225 yards against Texas and 249 yards last week against Oklahoma State - Benson still only has eight total touchdowns.
A freshman has never won the Heisman in the history of the trophy, but Peterson is pushing the envelope as much as any rookie in the history of college football. The Sooners play at No. 22 Texas A&M this week.
Aaron Rodgers
junior quarterback, California
Rodgers didn't do much last week, 15-for-29 for 165 yards and one touchdown, but he has led his team back on track after losing to Southern Cal.
He stays in the race with the fact that his team is in the Top Four in the country and they were one touchdown away from beating the Trojans and probably being the No. 1 or 2 team in the country.
For the season, Rodgers has 1,541 yards passing, 17 total touchdowns and four interceptions. California plays at home against Oregon this week.
Dark Horse
Alex Smith
junior quarterback, Utah
Creeping in the shadows of the Bowl Championship Series and the Heisman Trophy are Utah and Smith. The Utes are 8-0 with three games to play and Smith is putting up some big numbers in the process.
He has thrown for 1,905 yards, 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season. Smith also is a threat to run the ball as well, amassing 384 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. In his last outing, he was 22-for-33 for 298 yards and five touchdowns - a season high.
The Utes play Colorado State at home this week.
