Stanford has been on the rise the last two weeks with big wins over ranked Oregon and USC. No one has been more essential than the man in the backfield - Toby Gerhart.

With 400 yards in those last two games, Gerhart now has nearly 1400 yards. Even more impressively, the big bruiser has 19 touchdowns.

Gerhart's yardage places him in third in FBS (1-A) football. He has over 100 yards more than Ingram and has gotten that yardage in both big and small games. Gerhart did disappear in Stanford's losses at Wake Forset with only 82 yards and Oregon State with 96. However, in every other game he has over 100 yards, and over 200 against Washington and Oregon. In games with meaningful touches, Ingram failed against Tennessee and Arkansas. [Another Heisman contender at RB, Clemson's C.J. Spiller has only 600 yards].

So both Running Backs have failed in two games. That being said, doesn't that prove Gerhart's importance to this Stanford team?

Even more importantly, Gerhart has the most touchdowns among running backs in the nation. Jacquizz Rodgers has 17, Jahvid Best has 12, Ingram 10, and Spiller has 6.

In summary, Gerhart may not have the highlights of C.J. Spiller or the undefeated streak of Alabama and Mark Ingram; but he has the numbers and is clearly the driving force behind a surprisingly good Stanford team. His name deserves more recognition than both Ingram and Spiller and has an opportunity to shine in these last two games against #25 California and on national television against Notre Dame.