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1. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: The Texas quarterback was better last season, but in a year in which Tim Tebow's stats are way down and Sam Bradford never got going, McCoy is the biggest viable name in this race. The Longhorns are undefeated and look to be on their way to the national title game. If they run the table, McCoy is your guy.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford: It's taken a while for the nation to notice him, but Stanford's bruising tailback is definitely shooting up the Heisman lists. With an FBS-high 262 carries, good for 1,395 yards and 19 touchdowns, Gerhart is the engine that makes Stanford's blue-collar team go. In the Cardinal's back-to-back shreddings of Oregon and USC, Gerhart rumbled for 401 yards and six touchdowns. If you haven't seen Gerhart play, think Larry Csonka.

3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida: Even though he hasn't put up the type of numbers he did two years ago when he won the Heisman, and even though his Gators probably haven't been as impressive as many thought they would be this season, Tebow is still in the mix. He is by far college football's biggest star, and as long as Florida is undefeated, Tebow has a chance to take home a second Heisman.

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: Gerhart has stolen some of his thunder lately, but for most of the season Alabama's Mark Ingram was the nation's best running back. While his production numbers don't quite stack up with Gerhart's (only 10 touchdowns), Ingram has been the best player on what many consider the nation's best team. He'll need a super finish to take home the prize.

5. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: This one might be a reach because he probably doesn't have the name recognition to seriously contend, but Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore is one of my favorite players in college football. The lanky lefty is super poised and very accurate. He's the type of player you can just tell is a coach's son. In the Broncos' 10 wins, Moore has thrown a nation-best 32 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda: Hats off to Jimmy Clausen for a great season, but he's got two too many losses to contend, even as a Notre Dame quarterback.

Other stuff on my mind:

• Last week I mentioned that I would be attending a dinner featuring Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank as the keynote speaker. It was a very entertaining night with great food and a very humorous speech by Frank. Here was my favorite line, but please note: the views expressed by Mr. Frank are not necessarily shared by Extra Points or SNY.tv. I just think they're funny.)

Frank: "The problem is, Republicans don't believe in government. So when you elect them to run the government, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they mess it up!" [Laughter from the Democrats]...I mean, it's the same reason that I've never been invited to be a judge at the Miss American pageant. You need a fundamental belief in the principle!" [Hilarity ensues.]

For those who don't know, Frank is the first openly gay United State congressman. His biography was on sale at the event.

So there's your look into the zany world of political fundraisers. I hope you enjoyed it.

• Thuggz and Juggz (our co-ed flag football team) plays its first playoff game on Saturday afternoon. We went 5-2 during the regular season but were undefeated when our whole team was there. So wish us luck.

Speaking of Thuggz and Juggz, one of our teammates, Dave "Philly" Phillips, was in a serious accident over the weekend and is currently in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Get well, Philly.

On to the picks.

Ohio State -12.5 at Michigan: The best rivalry in college football is somewhat of an afterthought this season. The Buckeyes have already locked up a trip to the Rose Bowl, and the Wolverines are a depressing 1-6 in the Big Ten. A win over Ohio State would be huge for Rich Rodriguez's program, as it would make Michigan bowl-eligible. Alas, I don't see it happening. OSU 27-14

Minnesota at Iowa -10: It was nice to see the Hawkeyes play well at Ohio State last week after so many people left them for dead. This is a team with a lot of heart. Expect Iowa to receive a boost from their fans and really get after the Gophers this week. Iowa 35-10

North Carolina at Boston College -3.5: A good game in the ACC between two 7-3 teams. Last season the Tar Heels blew out the Eagles, 45-24, in Chapel Hill. As much as I admire the BC program, I have a feeling UNC's athletes will prove superior once again. UNC 30-21

Oklahoma -6.5 at Texas Tech: Think the Red Raiders will be looking for some revenge after the way Oklahoma embarrassed them last year? By the looks of OU's 65-10 demolition job of Texas A&M last week, Tech better be careful of what it wishes for. OU 28-24

TCU -31.5 at Wyoming: Well, I'm done picking against TCU. This spread could be 70 and I'd go with the Horned Frogs, a team that seemingly has no weaknesses. TCU 55-10

UConn at Notre Dame -6: Of all the programs in the country, the two most in need of a win meet in South Bend. Since the tragic death of Jasper Howard, the Huskies have lost three consecutive heartbreakers. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's once-promising season has spiraled down the drain and Charlie Weis will almost assuredly be fired in a few months. ND 27-24

Wisconsin -7 at Northwestern: When I first looked at this spread, I was surprised to see Wisconsin favored on the road against what I consider to be a very solid team in Northwestern. Then I looked at the records and realized the Badgers only have two losses, and, contrary to my initial thoughts, the Wildcats are 0-5 against the spread in their last five home games. You know what that means, right? Northwestern is due! NW 31-28

Rutgers -10 at Syracuse: Behind the steady improvement of freshman QB Tom Savage, Rutgers is playing its best ball of the season. Syracuse is still very much a work in progress. RU 30-17

Penn State -3 at Michigan State: These two teams probably aren't too far apart in talent. The difference is that Penn State knows how to win big games and the Spartans are still trying to get there. PSU 31-27

LSU at Ole Miss -4: The Tigers and Rebels meet for second place in the SEC West. Ole Miss has been a much better team at home this season, but LSU is a tough nut to crack (no pun intended, Houston). LSU 23-17

Vanderbilt at Tennessee -17: Tennessee's defense put forth a very disappointing effort against Ole Miss. Expect Monte Kiffin's bunch to take it out on rebuilding Vandy. UT 35-3

California at Stanford -7: It's the biggest Big Game in years. Fresh off wins over Oregon and USC, Jim Harbaugh's Cardinal is the toast of college football. Against those same two elite Pac-10 opponents, Cal was outscored 72-6. As Lee Corso would say, "Yo!" Stanford 35-24

Kentucky at Georgia -8.5: Go Cats! Win one for Philly! UK 34-27

Kansas State at Nebraska -17: The Wildcats and Huskers meet in what amounts to a Big 12 North title game. The winner takes the division and heads to the conference title game. Beware Bill Snyder teams in situations like these. The old man knows how to get his team ready for a big game. Still, we like Nebraska. Husker Nation 27-17

Oregon -6 at Arizona: Oregon badly needs this win to hold off hard-charging Stanford in the Pac-10 race. Meanwhile, Arizona still controls its own destiny in the conference race and with three straight wins will punch its own ticket to Pasadena. The ESPN Gameday crew will be in Tucson for the first time and it should be a wild scene. 'Zona 35-31