A year ago, Ohio State’s Troy Smith was the clear leader in the Heisman Race. This year things are wide open. Going into week seven there is still a long list of candidates, but here are my top five as of now: 1. Matt Ryan, Boston College, QB, Sr. Season Stats: 217 of 356 passing at 61%, 2,433 yards, 19 TD’s, 8 INT’s, 24 rushes, 16 yards, 1 TD. Ryan leads one of the more surprising teams of the year in Boston College. The Eagles are a perfect 8-0 and in the running for a chance to play in the National Championship. Ryan improved his chances at winning the Heisman with a great comeback against Virginia Tech last Thursday. Down 10-0 with five minutes left, he led the Eagles on two touchdown drives for the 14-10 win. If Ryan keeps putting up these types of numbers, he will join the ranks of BC quarterbacks like Doug Flutie and Matt Hasselback. 2. Chase Daniel, Missouri, QB, Jr. Season Stats: 228 of 326 at 70%, 2,533 yards, 18 TD’s, 8 INT’s, 63 rushes, 209 yards, 3 TD’s. Daniel leads another surprising team in Missouri. The Tigers are 7-1 and ranked number nine, and Daniel is the main reason. He has a dimension that Ryan does not have – his legs. Daniel’s scrambling ability is a major factor in him putting up the numbers he has. If it weren’t for the one loss, he may be resting atop this list. 3. Dennis Dixon, Oregon, QB, Sr. Season Stats: 154 of 224 at 69%, 1,885 yards, 16 TD’s, 3 INT’s, 92 rushes, 492 yards, 8 TD’s. While Dixon is an even better scrambler than Daniel, he isn’t close to the thrower that Daniel is, and that is why he’s below him. Dixon is possibly the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the country, though. He will be looking to lead the ducks into the National Championship game as the ducks are ranked number four. 4. Ray Rice, Rutgers, RB, Jr. Season Stats: 234 rushes, 1,141 yards, 13 TD’s, 18 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD. Even though Rutgers is having a down year, Rice is having a great junior campaign. He is averaging 142.6 yards a game, and 4.9 yards a carry. If he continues at this pace watch for him to crack 1,500 yards rushing by seasons end. Stats like that are something you see out of players primed to play on Sundays. 5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB, Jr. Season Stats: 348 of 478 at 73 %, 3,979 yards, 35 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 30 rushes, minus 70 yards, 3 TD’s. Harrell has been having a wonderful year in the Red Raider’s pass-happy offense. At the pace he is going, there should be no reason he does not end up with at least 5,000 passing yards. The past two weeks, though, have been less than pleasing to him. In the past two weeks, Harrell has been picked off eight times and has just four touchdowns, and that is the reason he comes in at only fifth. The great thing about college football is the ever-changing landscape. The Heisman Race is usually a race for runner-up (as there is usually a clear front runner), but this year, there should be a mad dash for the winner.