Heisman Candidate...or Not?

We've all been hearing for weeks that this player or that player is worthy of Heisman Trophy consideration.

The list is actually a long one because no one player has really stood out on a national level. The one's we're most hearing about are Florida QB Tim Tebow, Texas QB Colt McCoy, and Alabama RB Mark Ingram. But I've uncovered a few that are receiving little or no buzz about their play this season despite their performances this year.

1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Seriously, what more can this guy do? Moore leads the nation in QB rating (172.5) and TD passes (32). With all those TD passes, Moore has thrown only 3 INT. Almost a 11:1 ratio. He doesn't have the yardage of Houston's Case Keenum, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen, or Texas' Colt McCoy (barely). Sure, he's just a sophomore, but that's not uncommon ground anymore. Wasn't Tim Tebow a soph when he won?

2. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
Who leads the nation in rushing TD among running backs? It's Gerhart with 19. Only Navy QB Ricky Dobbs (22) has more. Gerhart also has more rushing yards (1,395) than Alabama's Mark Ingram (1,297). Ingram is being touted as the front runner for the award. Granted, Gerhart has more carries. And some may also argue that Ingram means more to the Crimson Tide than Gerhart means to the Cardinal. I ask you one question...Have you seen him run? Punishing.

3. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller's on my list because he is game changer. No so much with his scoring, although he is proficient in scoring, but he flips the field with his returns on punts and more specifically, kickoffs. Spiller is a threat anytime he touvhes the ball to go the distance. In four of Clemson's last 5 games, Spiller has averaged 168.5 yards of total offense. He's the main reason Clemson is on a fivve game winning streak including a 40-37 OT win on the road against Miami (FL).

4. Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Some whispers have come out about Texas WR Jordan Shipley for the Heisman. I put Tate ahead of him. Tate has more yards (1,172 to 1,096), more TD (11 to 8), and a higher average in yards per catch (15.8 to 13.5). If you talk about Shipley, you must consider Tate ahead of him despite the Irish's record. One other thought. Where would Irish QB Jimmy Clausen be without Tate?

5. Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
I know. BGSU is in the MAC. The MAC has given us some exciting NFL players (Miami's Ben Roethlisberger and Kent State's Joshua Cribbs just to name a couple). Barnes could be the next one. A converted QB, Barnes leads the nation in receptions (117), second in receiving yards (1,285) and TD receptions (12). If you're keeping score, that's more yards and TD than the aforementioned Golden Tate. Barnes has eclipsed the 100 yard mark in seven of the Falcons ten games. Not a reach for the senior to be at least in the conversation.

I leave it to you. Who are legit candidates? Did I snub anyone?