Updated: September 14, 2010, 6:41 AM ET

ESPN Experts' Poll

Sept. 14, 2010
Name Position School Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Total
Denard Robinson QB Michigan So. 11 3 0 1 0 69
Kellen Moore QB Boise State Jr. 4 7 3 1 0 59
Terrelle Pryor QB Ohio State Jr. 0 5 6 3 0 44
Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas Jr. 0 0 4 4 3 23
Trent Richardson RB Alabama So. 0 0 0 2 1 5
Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State Sr. 0 0 0 2 0 4
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma Jr. 0 0 1 0 0 3
Kendall Hunter RB Okla. State Sr. 0 0 0 1 1 3
Case Keenum QB Houston Sr. 0 0 1 0 0 3
Andrew Luck QB Stanford Jr. 0 0 0 1 1 3
Patrick Peterson CB/KR LSU Jr. 0 0 0 0 3 3
Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina Fr. 0 0 0 0 2 2
John Clay RB Wisconsin Jr. 0 0 0 0 1 1
Jeffery Demps RB Florida Jr. 0 0 0 0 1 1
Jake Locker QB Washington Sr. 0 0 0 0 1 1
Cameron Newton QB Auburn Jr. 0 0 0 0 1 1

ESPN experts: Andrea Adelson, Brian Bennett, Rece Davis, Heather Dinich, Brad Edwards, Bruce Feldman, Pat Forde, Chris Low, Ivan Maisel, Todd McShay, Ted Miller, Dari Nowkhah, Adam Rittenberg, Mark Schlabach and David Ubben

ESPN Analyst's Take

Sept. 14, 2010

Robinson waltzes into Heisman neighborhood

By Heather Dinich
ESPN.com

Editor's note: Each Tuesday this season, one of ESPN.com's Heisman Watch voters will offer his or her take on the Heisman Trophy race.

1. Kellen Moore, Boise State: The Broncos had the weekend off after Monday night's win over Virginia Tech, but for Moore to come across the country and be a difference-maker in the fourth quarter in front of a partisan crowd deserves some respect. He led a five-play, 56-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes that proved to be the decisive moment in the 33-30 win. Moore threw three for touchdowns without an interception against the Hokies, and he'll only rack up more impressive numbers against WAC opponents.

2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State: In a showdown between two similar quarterbacks, Pryor came out on top -- zero turnovers against Jacory Harris' four. Pryor has clearly picked up where he left off in last season's Rose Bowl and is proving that performance wasn't a fluke. He led the Buckeyes to a 36-24 win over Miami, throwing for 233 yards and a touchdown and rushing for another 113 yards and a touchdown. There are improvements he can still make in the passing game, but as long as he manages the game without turning it over, and remains a threat to run, the Buckeyes have a Heisman contender.

3. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas: When you're that good, and the competition is Louisiana-Monroe, you can afford to snooze in the first half. Mallett finished with 400 yards passing and three touchdowns with a rushing touchdown. Obviously the competition will get steeper against Georgia, but Mallett set school records against the Dawgs last year with 408 yards and five touchdown passes. It wasn't enough to win, but it was a Heisman-worthy performance.

4. Denard Robinson, Michigan: In a word, wow. Robinson 1, Notre Dame 0. He broke off the longest run in the history of Notre Dame stadium -- an 87-yarder for a touchdown. He set a school record for a quarterback with 502 yards total offense, including 258 yards rushing on 28 carries and 244 more passing. P.S.: He also directed the game-winning touchdown drive, scoring himself from 2 yards with 27 seconds left to give Michigan a 28-24 win. The only reason Robinson isn't No. 1 on my list is because I don't think he can keep it up. He's one player, and eventually defenses stop one player.

5. Patrick Peterson, LSU: He's one of the most electric players I've seen this season. He had only one tackle at Vanderbilt, but there's no doubting he's a lockdown corner with home run ability in the return game. He's a game-changer. Just ask North Carolina, which watched as he racked up 257 yards -- including an 87-yard touchdown -- on kickoff and punt returns.

Tracking the Candidates

September 14, 2010
He twisted and turned, leaving defenders in his wake while racking up a school-record 502 yards against Notre Dame. Robinson proved he was no flash in the pan after his electric opener against UConn. Defensive coordinators have no doubt taken note and will try not to be fooled when facing the Wolverines' dynamic QB.
WEEK 2 AT NOTRE DAME
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
119.52441060.0
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
25829.2
2010 SEASON
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
138.34302069.4
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
45538.0
Boise State proved it remains in the national discussion even when it doesn't play. Virginia Tech's loss to FCS James Madison took some of the shine off the Broncos' win over the Hokies and few opportunities remain on the schedule to add some sparkle. How will that affect Moore's candidacy and Boise's national title hopes?
WEEK 1 AT VIRGINIA TECH
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
134.12153060.5
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
-190-9.5
2010 SEASON
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
134.12153060.5
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
-190-9.5
Week 2's most anticipated matchup belonged to Pryor and Ohio State as the Buckeyes handled Miami at home in a 36-24 win. He wasn't spectacular against the Hurricanes, but he didn't need to be. In a game that was largely decided by turnovers, Pryor committed none.
WEEK 2 VS. MIAMI (FL)
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
129.22331044.4
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
11315.7
2010 SEASON
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
158.74804055.8
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
13014.6
It looked as if the Razorbacks hit the snooze button through much of the first half, but Mallett helped Arkansas flip the switch in the second half in what ended in a convincing win over Louisiana-Monroe. He finished with 400 yards passing and three TDs with a rushing TD to boot. A daunting stretch looms large, beginning with Saturday's visit to Georgia.
WEEK 2 AT LOUISIANA-MONROE
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
161.64003165.1
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
110.2
2010 SEASON
PASSING
RATYDSTDINTCMP%
184.67016273.1
 
RUSHING
YDSTDYPC
110.1

Recent Heisman Trophy Winners

Year Player School
2009 Mark Ingram Alabama
2008 Sam Bradford Oklahoma
2007 Tim Tebow Florida
2006 Troy Smith Ohio State
2005 Reggie Bush USC
2004 Matt Leinart USC
2003 Jason White Oklahoma
2002 Carson Palmer USC
2001 Eric Crouch Nebraska
2000 Chris Weinke Florida State

Complete list of all Heisman winners »