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Heisman Watch Week 11: Johnny Football, ladies and gentlemen

Graham Watson

The Heisman isn't supposed to be a popularity contest, but sometimes it shakes out that way and there's no more popular football player in the country right now than Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Manziel (or Johnny Football) led Texas A&M to an improbable win against No. 1 Alabama and put the Aggies in a position to play for a BCS bowl. No one expected much out of A&M this year with a new coaching staff, new quarterback and new league, but Manziel has helped make the Aggies a relevant force in college football.

But is it enough to send the redshirt freshman to New York? Moreover, is it enough help him hoist the bronze statue?

There are still two games remaining in the season and Manziel, who has been stellar all year, just needs to keep doing what he's been doing. If the Aggies win out, then Manziel is going to New York. If he puts up numbers like he did against the Crimson Tide, it's going to be tough to vote against him.

Here's a look at Dr. Saturday's Heisman Watch this week:

Collin Klein, QB, K-State

The last couple weeks haven't exactly been Klein's finest, which has allowed some other players to close the gap. He threw for only 145 yards and an interception against TCU last week. He also added 50 yards and a couple touchdowns. Klein is still the frontrunner to win the Heisman, but it's going to be close down the stretch. He needs to find the old Klein if he wants to hold on to what has become a slim lead.

Comp %:
69.7

Yards:
2,020

TD:
12

INT:
3

Rush Yds.:
748

TD:
19

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

There was no more popular player in the country last week than Manziel. Johnny Football, as they call him in College Station, Texas, became the first freshman since 1972 to lead his team to a win over a No. 1 team. He had been mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate before, but last week's win over Bama put him solidly in the mix.

Comp %:
67.6

Yards:
2,780

TD:
18

INT:
6

Rush Yds.:
1,014

TD:
15

Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

Barner missed part of last week's game against Cal with a hand injury and had a modest day when he returned. But he can make up for it this week against a tough Stanford defense. This is a crucial game for Oregon's national championship hopes and it won't win without Barner playing as well as he did against USC.

Rush yards:
1,360

TD:
19

Rec. Yards:
219

TD:
1

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Te'o grabbed his sixth interception of the season last week — a record for Notre Dame linebackers — but had just five tackles, which is his lowest output of the season. Te'o hasn't been as dominant as he had been earlier in the season and that's cost him in the Heisman poll. He has two games remaining, including a tough contest against USC to end the year. He needs to improve, or he might not be going to New York.

Tackles:
90

Solo:
40

Sacks:
2

Int:
6

Marqise Lee, WR, USC

In the past two weeks, USC has been making a big push to include Lee in the Heisman discussion and the recognition is deserved. Lee's numbers in the past four weeks — 44 catches for 766 yards and six touchdowns — have been astounding and he's been the best receiver during the past month. If he keeps it up during the Trojans' last stretch, it will be tough to keep him out of New York.

Catches:
98

Yards:
1,447

TD:
13

KO Returns:
23

Yards:
677

TD:
1

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