Heisman finalists

[Durango53]

Matt Leinart, USC

After seemingly putting a padlock on the Heisman following the dissection of Notre Dame two weeks ago, Leinart left the door slightly ajar with a pedestrian performance in Pasadena against UCLA. He wasn't awful, but with voters having their remote controls in one hand and their ballots in the other, taking a backseat to Reggie Bush was not the way to ice the competition. Leinart's numbers trail last year's, but in many ways, he had a better season. He was the one constant on a youthful offense that took the month of September to find its groove, and the undisputed leader on a Trojan team one win from a second consecutive national championship.
Last Week: 24-of-34 for 242 yards and 1 INT
2004 Season: 251-of-377 for 2,990 yards, 28 TDs and 6 INT — 3 rushing TDs

[Durango53]

Jason White, Oklahoma

Despite getting picked off twice last Saturday night, White and the Sooners were able to exorcise some Big 12 championship game demons at the expense of Colorado. In stark contrast to last December, the sixth-year senior was accurate, healthy and rarely under pressure. While his growing number of critics chirped incessantly, White defended his crown with grace and excellence throughout the 2004 season. Still, there's a contingency of voters uncomfortable with the idea of White being beatified with a second Heisman Trophy. And others who feel Adrian Peterson was the real catalyst of the offense this fall. White's on the doorstep of history, but is more likely to be this year's runner-up.
Last Week: 22-of-29 for 254 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs (Colorado)
2004 Season: 231-of-354 for 2,961 yards, 33 TDs and 6 INTs

[Durango53]

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

Whether it was Dallas, Stillwater or Kansas City, whenever the spotlight was on, it was Peterson who shined the brightest. Heismans are won in pivotal games, and in Oklahoma's three biggest, he ran for 646 yards, including 172 and three scores in last Saturday's Big 12 title game. From the season's opening snap, Peterson was bouncing off would-be tacklers like a paddle ball in what's becoming one of the best seasons for a true freshman in college football history. Had he not been slowed by a bum shoulder last month, 2,000 yards rushing before the Orange Bowl might have been attainable. More than the fact he's a freshman, Peterson's name won't be called Saturday night because he shares the backfield with the returning Heisman winner.
Last Week: 28 carries for 172 yards and 3 TDs (Colorado)
2004 Season: 314 carries for 1,843 yards and 15 TDs

[Durango53]

Reggie Bush, USC

Bush turned the final weekend of the season into his own personal highlight reel, preserving the Trojans' perfect mark and likely propelling himself to the Big Apple. He rescued the offense on an afternoon when they sputtered, and had one of those memorable games that'll go down in USC-UCLA lore. Bush did a little of everything this year, finishing ninth in the country in punt returns, 10th in kick returns and even throwing one touchdown pass. Not enough voters are prepared to dub him this year's most outstanding player, but he left little doubt at the Rose Bowl who's this year's most dangerous player.
Last Week: 14 carries for 204 yards and 2 TDs — 6 rec. for 73 yards (UCLA)
2004 Season: 137 carries for 833 and 6 TDs — 41 rec. for 478 yds and 7 TDs — 1 TD pass — 2 punt return TDs

[Durango53]

Alex Smith, Utah

Over the past two weekends, Smith is the only contender who hasn't played, which brings to mind something about being out of sight and out of mind. While the buzz around him has quieted somewhat, others like Leinart, Bush and Peterson have taken turns wowing the judges. Smith has consistently been the best player on this year's biggest headline, Utah's historical ascent into the privileged world of the BCS. He accounted for 38 touchdowns, and as an answer to critics that scoffed at his competition, had 12 touchdowns and just one pick against teams from major conferences.
Last Week: Idle
2004 Season: 185-of-279 for 2,624 yards, 28 TDs and 4 INT — 119 carries for 563 yards and 10 TDs