Heisman Hopefuls

1. (2 last week) Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, Senior (24-of-42, 204 yards, 1 TD): nbeaten. Manageable schedule the rest of the way with tough games at Virginia Tech and Clemson and at home against Florida St. and Miami. Anything’s possible, and he’s starting to gain national recognition, climbing to No. 4 in the most recent CBSSportsline,com poll and No. 5 in the ESPN poll.

2. (-) Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky, Senior (26-of-33, 301 yards, 5 TDs): Unbeaten. Unmanageable schedule the rest of the way. Woodson faces Murderers Row the next three weeks against No. 11 South Carolina, No. 1 LSU and No. 9 Florida. If Kentucky wins two of those three games, Woodson remains in the top tier of candidates.

3. (1) Tim Tebow, QB, Florida, Sophomore (20-of-27, 201 yards, 1 TDs, 19 rushes for 75 yards, 1 TD): Received an e-mail from Bob Schiavone, the former principal at Manchester Central High, popular sports official and all-around good guy, who moved to Florida a few years ago. In part, it said, “I liked your choice of Tim Tebow as a leading Heisman candidate. As you know Tim played his football at Allen D. Nease High School, where I was principal during Tim’s high school career. He is the best high school quarterback I have ever seen. The combination of his passing ability and running ability is exceeded only by his judgment and decision-making on the field. He has a football mind similar to Tom Brady. In addition, Timmy has fun at playing the game. I believe that if Florida beats LSU, Tim will be the Heisman award winner.’’ Granted, the e-mail was written before Florida was upset Saturday by Auburn, but, if the Gators do beat LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Schiavone’s words may still ring true.

4. (3) Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii, Senior (30-of-49 for 369 yards, 3 TDs, 5 interceptions): Unbeaten. Soft schedule until game against Washington to close regular season. His numbers continue to grow, but the quality of competition and the five interceptions he threw Saturday don’t help his cause.

5. (4) Darren McFadden. RB,. Arkansas, Junior (19 for 138 yards, 1 TD): Still the best athlete among the Heisman contenders. He has another cupcake Saturday against Chattanooga before the Razorbacks host No. 1 LSU in two weeks. We’ll see where he stands after that meeting.

Other to consider: John David Booty, QB, USC, Senior; Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville, Senior; Mike Hart, RB, Michigan, Senior; DeSean Jackson, WR, California, Junior.

C.J. McCarthy is copy desk chief at the New Hampshire Union Leader and is state chairman of the Heisman Memorial Trophy Committee. He may be reached at cjmccarthy@unionleader.com.