Heisman voters were left to ponder one of the trophy's biggest questions -- what matters more, big numbers or victories?
Of our top 10 candidates, four played on losing teams Saturday, although none of the losses can be pinned on them. Ron Dayne became the Big Ten's career leading rusher, but No. 8 Wisconsin lost to lowly Cincinnati. Jamal Lewis scored two touchdowns but failed to convert a fourth-and-3 in the waning moments against Florida. Shaun Alexander saw his Crimson Tide lose to Louisiana Tech in a wild finish. And Chris Redman couldn't rally his Cardinals enough to get past Illinois.
On top of that, front-runner Peter Warrick had a pedestrian game in Florida State's victory over N.C. State. What's a college football fan to do?
| PETER WARRICK -- FLORIDA ST. |
STATS |
| 1. |
Breaking it down: Not a big factor in Florida State's win over N.C. State. Only impact came in passing game.
|
Opponent
vs. N.C. State
Season
|
Rec-Yds
9-75
26-338
|
TD
0
3
|
| RON DAYNE -- WISCONSIN |
STATS |
| 2. |
Breaking it down: Became Big Ten's leading career rusher but also had key fumble at the goal line in devastating loss to Cincinnati.
|
Opponent
at Cincinnati
Season
|
Car-Yds
28-231
79-524
|
TD
1
5
|
| JAMAL LEWIS -- TENNESSEE |
STATS |
| 3. |
Breaking it down: Showed he can be a big, bruising running back but his team didn't leave The Swamp with the result the Vols wanted.
|
Opponent
at Florida
Season
|
Car-Yds
22-90
47-249
|
TD
2
5
|
| DREW BREES -- PURDUE |
STATS |
| 4. |
Breaking it down: Put up his usual numbers before coming out of the game late in the third quarter. He moved into sixth place on Purdue's career yardage list with 5,125 yards.
|
Opponent
vs. Central Michigan
Season
|
Cmp-Att-Yds
25-39-320
75-122-920
|
TD-INT
2-0
7-2
|
| SHAUN ALEXANDER -- ALABAMA |
STATS |
| 5. |
Breaking it down: Scored 3 TDs for the third straight week -- including a 76-yard kickoff return. Too bad he doesn't play DB too -- 'Bama could have used him.
|
Opponent
vs. Louisiana Tech
Season
|
Car-Yds
30-173
83-449
|
TD
3
9
|
| CHRIS REDMAN -- LOUISVILLE |
STATS |
| 6. |
Breaking it down: Tore up the Illinois defense, but his own team couldn't contain the Illini offense.
|
Opponent
vs. Illinois
Season
|
Cmp-Att-Yds
39-60-450
94-133-1,012
|
TD-INT
3-2
10-4
|
| TRAVIS PRENTICE -- MIAMI (OHIO) |
STATS |
| 7. |
Breaking it down: Became the leading rusher in MAC history with 4,369 yards, caught a 58-yard TD and even attemped a pass (it was incomplete).
|
Opponent
vs. E. Michigan
Season
|
Car-Yds
38-116
100-430
|
TD
4
8
|
| JOE HAMILTON -- GEORGIA TECH |
STATS |
| 8. |
Breaking it down: Did it on the ground and through the air against Central Florida. His 100 yards rushing was a career high, and he also scored two rushing TDs.
|
Opponent
vs. Central Florida
Season
|
Cmp-Att-Yds
12-18-161
Rush-Yds
12-10046-61-687
41-157 |
TD-INT
1-02 7-0
4 |
| CHAD PENNINGTON -- MARSHALL |
STATS |
| 9. |
Breaking it down: Wasn't spectacular in an easy win over Bowling Green, but he made it look easy when he was in. Two scoring drives took 1:15 or less.
|
Opponent
vs. Bowling Green
Season
|
Cmp-Att-Yds
15-31-257
67-115-869
|
TD-INT
4-1
8-4
|
| LaVAR ARRINGTON -- PENN STATE |
STATS |
| 10. |
Breaking it down: Exchanged penalties with Miami's punter, but kept his cool for the most part. Showed his speed on several impressive tackles.
|
Opponent
at Miami (Fla.)
Season
|
Tck-Sack
5-0
17-0
|
TD
0
0
|
