Can anyone catch Manziel?

With one week left, Collin Klein aims to steal the Heisman away

Updated: November 27, 2012, 11:28 AM ET
By Ryan McCrystal | ESPN Insider

After a five-touchdown performance Saturday, Johnny Manziel of the Texas A&M Aggies is cruising toward becoming the first freshman to hoist the Heisman Trophy. But, as far as the Heisman Predictor is concerned, this race isn't over just yet.

Manziel holds just a 4.5-point lead in the Predictor, but two significant pieces of his résumé should allow him to hang on for a tight victory over Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein.

The most significant factor in determining this year's winner will be Texas A&M's impressive finish to the season. The five-game win streak to close out its first season in the SEC gives Manziel a 2.5-point bonus in the predictor. And the Aggies' upset of the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the midst of that streak gave Manziel an additional five Predictor points.

In addition to the Aggies' strong finish, Manziel's stats stand above Klein's by a considerable margin. His 43 total touchdowns earn him another 2.5 bonus points -- a benchmark Klein is unlikely to achieve.

These two components of Manziel's résumé give him a 10-point advantage over Klein, which likely will be greater than the difference between the two candidates in the final Predictor standings.

Can Klein catch up?


To see how the Heisman race breaks down in the final week of the season, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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