ESPNCollege Football

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. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn: Newton looked positively un-Heisman-like early on against Alabama. He could do nothing with his legs. He could do nothing with his arm. Auburn had one three-and-out after another and trailed 24-0 in the second quarter. But what have we learned watching Newton and the Tigers this season? They are a second-half team. Sure enough, Newton proved his worth once again, leading the Tigers to their largest comeback win, 28-27. He did not need to use his scrambling ability, either, though he did score once on the ground. He won this one with his arm, going 13-of-20 for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Newton is the best player in the country, hands down, and, against the Tide, he proved it for the 12th time.

2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James is the best running back in the country, so it is an easy choice to have him second on the ballot. He has 1,548 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground, but his yards per carry average is what is so impressive -- he gains 6.1 yards every time he touches the ball. James has one game left, but at this point he appears to be a long shot to catch Newton.

3. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: Moore was not his usual self in a 34-31 overtime loss to Nevada. He had a great first half in leading the Broncos to a 24-7 halftime lead. But then he looked shaky the rest of the way. The pressure got to him, and he made some uncharacteristically off-target throws. However, his 54-yard Hail Mary to Titus Young to get Boise State into field goal range at the end of regulation is another example of what makes him so special. Still, Moore was 21-of-30 for 348 yards with a touchdown, and he has thrown 30 TD passes this season to just five interceptions.

4. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: It's a close battle between Luck and Moore for the No. 3 spot, especially after Moore struggled in the second half against the Wolf Pack. Luck has completed 70 percent of his passes and has only gotten better as the season has worn on. In Week 13 against Oregon State, he was 21-of-30 for 305 yards and four touchdown passes. He has thrown for more than 3,000 yards this season, with 28 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.

5. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: Blackmon limped his way through the Bedlam game against Oklahoma yet still had eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, averaging 13 yards a catch essentially on one good leg. He has size, speed, strength and the numbers to back up his impressive season: 18 touchdown catches and 1,665 yards. He surpassed 100 yards in every game he played this season.