By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2010 Idaho Statesman

Former USC assistant sports information director Chris Huston runs a Heisman-tracking website called HeismanPundit.com. It’s a terrific resource for those who cover the Heisman race.

Boise State junior quarterback Kellen Moore is No. 3 on Huston’s preseason poll of select Heisman voters going into Monday's opener against Virginia Tech.

I asked Huston his opinion of Moore as a candidate this year for a story that will appear in Monday’s newspaper. See his comments at the bottom of the blog.

But I also like one of the features on HeismanPundit.com — The 10 Heismandments, which supposedly will help determine whether a candidate can actually win.

Here’s a look at those 10 rules — and how I see Moore fitting them.

THE 10 HEISMANDMENTS

1. The winner must be a quarterback, a running back, or a multi-threat athlete.

Moore: Quarterback. Check.

2. Juniors and seniors have the overwhelming advantage in the Heisman race and, as a general rule, will win over an underclassman. But a sophomore from a traditional power who puts up extraordinary single-season numbers can’t be discounted.

Moore: Junior. Check.

3. The winner must put up good numbers in big games on TV.

Moore: He gets his first chance Monday night against Virginia Tech. Moore must put up solid numbers — 200-plus yards and a couple touchdown passes, perhaps — to have a legitimate shot to win the Heisman. He also faces Oregon State, Fresno State and Nevada on national TV. The Fresno State and Nevada games are part of three straight Friday night games on ESPN2 in November, which could be critical for Moore.

4. The winner must have some prior name recognition.

Moore: He finished seventh in Heisman voting last year and is a favorite of the national media. Check.

5. The winner must be one or more of the following three:

a. The top player on a national title contender.

Moore: If the Broncos go undefeated, check.

b. A player who puts up good numbers for a traditional power that has a good record.

Moore: Not sure Boise State counts as a “traditional power” yet.”

c. A player who puts up superlative single-season or career numbers on a good team, or numbers which are way out ahead of his Heisman competitors.

Moore: Too early to tell.

6. The winner cannot be considered an obvious product of his team’s system. Call this the Andre Ware rule. Basically, this means that voters are unimpressed by huge stats put up by an individual in offensive systems conducive for huge numbers.

Moore: While Boise State is known for offense, its quarterbacks rarely put up the kind of numbers Moore posted last year.

7. If you are a quarterback, running back or multi-purpose athlete at one of the following schools, you have a good chance to win if you have a very good statistical season, are an upperclassman and your team wins at least 9 games: Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, Florida and Florida State.

Moore: Sorry, no.

8. There are statistical benchmarks for each position in order to be considered:

a. If you are a running back, you need to gain at least 2,000 yards if you are NOT on a traditional power or a national championship contender. This is a number that is slowly rising as more backs hit that mark. If you are on a traditional power or national title contender, you must gain at least 1,700 yards. In either case, you also must score at least 15 touchdowns.

b. If you are a passing quarterback on a traditional power or national title contender, you need to pass for at least 3,000 yards and must have at least a 2-1 touchdown to interception ratio, with at least 20 TD passes and an efficiency rating of at least 135.0.

c. If you are a running quarterback on a traditional power or a national title contender, you must reach the 1,000-yard mark rushing in spectacular fashion and also be a decent passer.

d. If you are a multi-threat athlete, you can only win if you produce spectacular plays on special teams, specifically kick and punt returns.

Moore: He blew away those quarterback numbers last year.

9. There will never be another two-time Heisman winner.

Moore: This helps him. The only player with more points in Heisman voting last year who returns is Alabama’s Mark Ingram, who won last year.

10. The winner must be likeable.

Moore: The humble small-town hero. What’s not to like?

•••

Here’s what Huston e-mailed me about Moore’s chances:

“The key to Moore's Heisman hopes:

“1. Play well in wins over Va. Tech and Oregon State, as well as the trio of Friday games later in the season.

“2. Lead Boise to undefeated season.

“3. Produce numbers similar in scope to last year's. Doesn’t need to be 39-3, but 35 and 5 would work fine.

“4. Hope that Boise is the only undefeated team OR that no other player on an undefeated or once-defeated traditional power has a slam-dunk Heisman-type season.

“Moore's Heisman hopes mirror Boise State's national title hopes. They will probably rise or fall together and feed off each other.

“It’s all about establishing legitimacy by beating the top-level teams.

“In Moore’s favor is a 26-1 record heading into the year, decent (but not awesome) name recognition, excellent stats and the association with a program that people love to talk about, that is looking to overturn the BCS establishment. His smaller stature just plays up his underdog chances even more and might help him in the race.

“I predict that if he plays lights out and Boise beats Va. Tech, he'll vault into front-runner status.”