YCS/Heisman Watch-Week 12

If it's Monday, it's time for the latest YCS and RSS Heisman Watch! Wherever you are, hopefully you're having a better week than a plethora of head coaches who should be looking over their shoulders at institutions of higher learning, such as Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU, and Yale, just to name a few. What did these schools do wrong? Who did enough right to find their way at the top of the YCS and Heisman Watch? Be brave, come, follow me!

YCS STANDINGS

1. Texas (11-0, last week W vs. Kansas 51-10, up next Thur at Texas A&M)

-We at the YCS pride ourselves on the most up-to-date, truthful rankings out there. And this week, after their competitors played 1-AA or barely 1-A competition, Texas moves back to the #1 spot. Even though they manhandled a Kansas program in disarray, you have to say Texas appears to be peaking at exactly the right time in the season. Don't expect a Turkey day challenge from rival Texas A&M either, even on a short weak. Maybe Texas should consider scheduling the Lions this Thanksgiving instead?

2. Alabama (11-0, last week W vs. Chattanooga 45-0, up next Fri. at Auburn)

-Really Alabama? After 10 games you schedule 1-AA Chattanooga? Why even bother playing this game? I agree with others who say if you're going to schedule cupcakes, do it at the beginning of the season, no need for these glorified scrimmages late into November. At least the Tide will be well-rested for their Iron Bowl matchup Friday with Auburn in one of the great rivalries in college football, although it's been a while since both of these teams were good at the same time. Nevertheless, all of these top teams can't look past their arch rivals to potential conference championship games.

3. Florida (11-0, last week W vs. FIU 62-3, up next Sat. vs. Florida St. )

-Just as bad as Alabama, instead of bye week, Florida decided to schedule perennial whipping boy FIU. Again...what's the point? Does Urban Meyer get some sick satisfaction beating up on a team like FIU by 59 points? Say what you will about teams like Ohio St. and Virginia Tech, but they always schedule at least one tough non-conference opponent. And don't tell me "the SEC is tough enough already" because they have just as many bad teams this year as the Big Ten and ACC. Sadly, it looks like rival Florida St. will be more cupcake than rival this Saturday. Will Bobby Bowden have one more stand left, or will he think he's shopping for Black Friday sales at Kohl's?

4. TCU (11-0, last game W at Wyoming 45-10, up next Sat. vs. New Mexico)

-TCU stays steady at #4 in the YCS, but one feels their long-term fate is really out of their hands. Unless one of the top 3 lose this week, they can probably book their trip to face the SEC runner-up in the Sugar Bowl. Hopefully then, some of their unheralded stars will get the recognition they deserve. After another dismantling of Wyoming this past Saturday, they've come too far to be upset by New Mexico in their season finale.

5. Cincinnati (10-0, last week idle, up next Fri vs. Illinois )

-After being idle, Cincinnati holds their position at fifth. The interesting news out of the Queen City is the decision by HC Brian Kelly to reinsert Sr QB Tony Pike back into the starting lineup. Though Pike only completed two passes against West Virginia, both were for touchdowns. Meanwhile, Fr Zach Collaros finally began to show some chinks in his armor, throwing an INT and failing to throw for a TD. The move seems to come at exactly the right time, Collaros had run his course as effective caretaker, and Pike gets a full game to get the rust off against an Illinois team with nothing to play for, unless you count playing for Ron Zook's job something.

6. Boise St. (11-0, last week W at Utah St. 52-21, up next Sat. vs. Nevada)

-Boise again was able to pull away after a sluggish 1st quarter against a weak conference opponent. They have to come up with another dominant performance to convince one of the BCS bowls to take them over a Big Ten or Big 12 team which will be sure to draw a larger crowd, meaning more money. Even with their success in BCS games, there might not be enough room for both Boise and TCU. Another outstanding performance will be necessary against Nevada and their 3 1000 yard rushers, including QB Colin Kapernick and RB Luke Lippincott.

7. Georgia Tech (10-1, last week idle, up next Fri. vs. Georgia)

-Georgia Tech was on bye, they're in the ACC Title Game...we knew all this last week. What is new, is we found out they will play Clemson in the ACC Championship, a rematch of their thrilling game a few weeks ago. If one conference needs a thrilling title game, it's the ACC...can anyone tell me who's won an ACC Championship Game, who's lost, where they've been played...anyone? I don't think even Dick Vitale knows the answer.

8. Ohio St. (10-2, last game W at Michigan 21-10, up next Jan. 1 Rose Bowl vs. Ore St./Ore)

-In typical Ohio St. fashion, they dominated Michigan throughout, but left it to their defense to make big plays late to seal the victory. The good news for the Bucks, it was the sixth straight victory in the rivalry, the longest streak since the roaring 20's! Even better news, Terrelle Pryor continues to grow into not just a competent QB, but a team leader. The bad news, whoever they play in the Rose Bowl will provide a much more potent offensive challenge than the pitiful 4 INT game from Michigan QB Tate Forcier, the latest flavor of the month to turn sour.

9. Oregon (9-2, last game W at Arizona 44-41 (2 OT) , up next Dec. 3 vs. #16 Oregon St.)

-The guttiest win of the college weekend saw Oregon survive a game Arizona team in double OT on the road. We've told you from early on that QB Jeremiah Masoli was the most important player for this team, and he was at his best when it mattered most. With the win, the Ducks will play a de facto Pac 10 Championship in the Civil War against hated rival Oregon St., which should be the most intense, riveting game left in the regular season.

10. Pittsburgh (9-1, last week idle, up next Fri. at West Virginia)

-Pitt falls one spot to 10th in the YCS after not playing this week (hey, someone had to drop, right?) Good thing for Wanny and crew, because they may have the toughest close of any ranked team. On Dec. 5, they'll host Cincinnati for the right to represent the Big East in the BCS. But before then, it'll be the Backyard Brawl versus hated West Virginia. If recent history tells us anything, the favored team should be especially worried in this rivalry game.

Dropped from the YCS: Nobody!

Just Missed Out: Iowa, Oklahoma St.

-Whoa, this might be a first, nobody dropped out of the YCS! Everyone in the Top 10 give yourselves a pat on the back, because this is the one ranking that tells it like it is! The news is the disappointment of the teams who were just outside looking in, LSU and Stanford. Stanford, even behind another standout performance from RB Toby Gerhart, crumbled at the end in the Big Game, thanks to mistakes from QB Andrew Luck. Meanwhile everyone knows how poorly LSU and HC Les Miles botched the end of their game against Ole Miss. Here's one piece of advice Les, don't say you don't know how the travesty unfolded or who was calling the shots, especially when there's video evidence of you directing your QB to spike the ball! Oh, and by the way, YOU are the head coach! Shouldn't you make the decisions?! Maybe some of these teams should hire a clock management coordinator? Les Miles shouldn't be fired, but he should be required to take a 24 hour game management class!

RSS HEISMAN WATCH

1. Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama (last week 11 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TDs)

-Ingram probably didn't have to break a sweat in rushing for his 2 TDs against Chattanooga. But as the clear front-runner, Ingram will have the target squarely on his back in the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Not only would the Tigers love to derail 'Bama's national title quest, they also wouldn't mind shutting out Heisman hopeful Ingram.

2. Colt McCoy-QB-Texas (last week 32/41, 396 yards, 4 TDs)

-Not only is Colt McCoy's team peaking at exactly the right time, but his Heisman candidacy is also peaking right when most voters are making up their minds. Don't discount the importance of McCoy also breaking David Greene's record for most wins by a starting QB. McCoy should have another stats-padding day this weekend against a hapless Texas A&M team.

3. Ndamukong Suh-DT-Nebraska (last week 9 tackles (2 for loss), 1.5 sacks)

-After another dominant performance against Kansas St., Suh breaks back into the RSS Heisman Watch. A late surge against Colorado and in the Big 12 Championship Game could, possibly get Suh an invite to New York, a rarity in this age for a defensive stalwart. Still, he'll find it hard-pressed to take home the hardware. But like we've said before, Suh's accolades and awards most likely won't stop at the college level.

4. Toby Gerhart-RB-Stanford (last week 20 rushes, 136 yards, 4 TDs)

-Gerhart continues to be a TD machine for Stanford with another 4 against Cal on Saturday. Unfortunately for Gerhart's faint Heisman chances, HC Jim Harbaugh decided to put the game in the hands of QB Andrew Luck on the Cardinal's final possession...what is that old saying about karma? Anyway, Gerhart is likely out of luck (you were afraid there wouldn't be any puns, I know) for an invite to New York.

5. Jacquizz Rodgers-RB-Oregon St. (last week 24 rushes, 165 yards, 2 TDs)

-Rodgers beats out Oregon RB LaMichael James for the final spot in the RSS Heisman Watch. Though he doesn't have the high-profile performance he did last season against USC, Rodgers has consistently been the Pac 10's best player throughout much of the season. Whoever wins the RB battle in the Civil War will go a long way in deciding who meets the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

Dropping Out of the Race: Despite Clemson's big win to wrap up an ACC Division title, C.J. Spiller was held in check by a Virginia team who might have trouble stopping me. Oregon RB LaMichael James might find himself hard done by to miss out, but his 117 yards and no TDs versus Arizona wasn't enough to stop Oregon St.'s Rodgers from sneaking in to the RSS list.

Keep an Eye On: Tim Tebow-QB-Florida

You didn't think we'd completely forget about JC QB, did you? Even though Tebow has been completely unspectacular all season, don't discount Tebow's Heisman chances just yet. We at RSS try to do our best to combine who should be in the Heisman Watch with a pinch of who conventional wisdom says will be there at the end. That should tell you how little we think of Tebow's performances this season. But, today Tebow's Heisman hopefuls were given a lifeline as he was named a finalist for the Maxwell Award, you know, the other award for the best player in college football. Though less prestigious, the Maxwell is usually an excellent indicator of one's Heisman chances. If so, Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Mark Ingram should start booking their reservations for New York City.

That's does it for this week's YCS and Heisman Watch. As always let us know how wrong we are by posting a comment below. We'll also be back with our NFL recap and our continuing look at the Games of the Decade tomorrow. Until then, it's bye for now!