It’s about time Toby Gerhart got some Heisman love.

The senior running back from Stanford has been plowing through Pac-10 defenses all season, but it took back-to-back fantastic performances against Oregon and USC to officially get him in the mix for the most famous trophy in sports.

Gerhart racked up 223 yards and three touchdowns against UO and then followed that up with 176 yards and three touchdowns against USC in the game that officially ended the Trojans’ reign atop the conference. Those performances earned him back-to-back Pac-10 Player of the Week honors.

While watching players like Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State or Jahvid Best of Cal dance through opposing defenses and then sprint down the sideline is fun and exciting, it’s actually quite refreshing to watch a blue-collar back like Gerhart pound his way for every extra yard.

Stanford has arguably been the biggest surprise in the nation so far this season, and while freshman quarterback Andrew Luck is one of the most naturally gifted young quarterbacks in the country and deserves all the hype he’s getting, the Cardinal would not be a dark horse to snag a spot in a BCS bowl without Gerhart.

Gerhart won’t win the Heisman. But at this point in the season, he probably should.