2008 Heisman Trophy Candidates Race for Week 9

As the midpoint reaches the 2008 college football season, it is time to highlight the players that have made themselves candidates for the illustrious Heisman Trophy award.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has become the frontrunner for the Heisman after winning huge games against then-No. 1 Oklahoma two weeks ago and then-No. 11 Missouri on Saturday. He followed up with a 28-24 win against then-No. 7 Oklahoma State, going 38-of-45 for a career-high 391 yards and two TDs.

McCoy leads the nation in completion percentage, is fourth in the nation in passing efficiency and ninth in total offense. In addition, he leads the Longhorns with 412 rushing yards. Texas has the fifth-best scoring offense in the nation and ninth-best total offense.

Stats: 198-for-242, 2,285 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs; 412 rushing yards, 7 TDs

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel had fallen in many people's minds after a two-game losing streak. Daniel bounced back huge against Colorado, defeating the Buffaloes 58-0. 31-of-37 for 302 yards and two TDs and a rushing TD. He also threw an interception for the second straight game after a four-game streak without one.

Daniel is still sixth in the nation for total offense and fifth in passing efficiency. Daniel leads the nation's fourth-best passing offense, fifth-best total offense and fifth-best scoring offense.

Stats: 189-for-249, 2,373 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs; 1 rushing TD

Daniel's teammate Jeremy Maclin had an off game on Saturday, catching eight passes for just 66 yards. However, he was effective as a kick returner, taking five kickoff returns for 132 yards.

Maclin is second in the nation in all-purpose running, 19th in the nation in receiving yards per game and tied for 18th in receptions per game.

Stats: 45 receptions, 666 yards, 5 TDs; 128 PR yards; 497 KR yards, 1 TD; 64 rushing yards

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford remains a top possibility for the Heisman with his dead-on accuracy and pro-style play. Against then-No. 16 Kansas, Bradford set an Oklahoma record with 468 yards on 36-for-53 passing. He also threw three TDs.

Bradford is second in the nation in passing efficiency and fourth in total offense. He leads the nation's third-best passing and scoring offense, and the fourth-best total offense.

Stats: 170-for-238, 2,520 yards, 26 TDs, 5 INTs

Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell led the Red Raiders in a 43-25 win against Texas A&M, completing 44-of-56 passes for 450 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran for 2 TDs.

Harrell leads the nation's top passing offense, second-best total offense and fifth-best scoring offense. He leads the nation in passing yards, is second in the nation in total offense and eighth in passing efficiency.

Stats: 222-for-318, 2,761 yards, 23 TDs, 3 INTs; 5 rushing TDs

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree is continuing the success of last year, in which he became the first freshman to ever win the Biletnikoff Award for the nation's top receiver. Against Texas A&M, he had eight catches for 71 yards and 2 TDs. He also had a 50-yard kickoff return in his first return all season.

Crabtree is ninth in the nation in receiving yards per game, second in receiving touchdowns and 12th in receptions.

Stats: 51 receptions, 704 yards, 12 TDs

Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin had a bye week last week, but will gear up to play Kentucky, the nation's ninth-best passing defense, on Saturday.

Harvin is among the nation's leaders in rushing yards for a receiver and leads UF in receptions and receiving yards. He is the third-leading rusher on the Gators team.

Stats: 25 receptions, 396 yards, 5 TDs; 29 carries, 190 yards, 2 TDs

Michigan State running back Javon Ringer ran into a tough Ohio State defense on Saturday as he ran for a season-low 16 carries for 67 yards. He was outplayed by the Buckeyes star Chris "Beanie" Wells, who had 31 carries for 140 yards for two TDs.

Ringer is second in the nation in rushing yards and third in all-purpose yards, while he leads the nation in rushing touchdowns and carries.

Stats: 263 carries, 1,179 yards, 14 TDs; 224 KR yards; 15 receptions, 95 yards

Prior to the season, Wells was considered the best running back in the nation. During the early part of the season, Ringer became the top choice. Now, another Big Ten running back is receiving more attention. Iowa's Shonn Greene has quietly been one of the nation's best.

Greene had 25 carries for 217 yards and four TDs in a huge upset 38-16 win against Wisconsin on Saturday. Greene is third in the nation in rushing yards and is tied for second in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns.

Stats: 177 carries, 1,154 yards, 10 TDs; 6 receptions, 20 yards

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