BUSH IN DRIVER'S SEAT FOR HEISMAN.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF College football

The Heisman Trophy race appears over only seven games into the season.

At least it sure looks that way, although it's only late October and there are at least five legitimate candidates.

But it might be impossible for anyone to dethrone USC tailback Reggie Bush as the frontrunner. Consider that Bush rushed for only 51 yards last week against Washington but received a commanding seven of 10 first-place votes in the respected Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Poll.

Scripps Howard asks 10 Heisman voters every week to list their choices, and the poll has accurately predicted the winner 15 of the past 18 years.

Here are the current results, with total points and first-place votes in parentheses:

1. Reggie Bush, RB, USC, 47 (7).

2. Vince Young, QB, Texas, 37 (1).

3. Matt Leinart, QB, USC, 35 (2).

4. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame, 13.

5. Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA, 9.

Bush owns the lead even after carrying the ball just eight times last week because he also returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown. It's those highlight-reel plays that get repeated all night on ESPN and reinforce voters' mind set that Bush deserves the Heisman.

They remember his long touchdown runs against Notre Dame or other game-breaking plays, which ultimately override season-long statistics.

Former Notre Dame receiver Tim Brown won the Heisman in a similar manner, with a few big plays defining his candidacy.

UCLA tailback Maurice Drew could also benefit with his ability to make big plays, but he didn't get the national attention in the preseason or countless magazine covers like Bush to solidify an impression with voters throughout the nation.

Oddsmakers also list Bush as an even bigger favorite. In Las Vegas, you currently need to bet $400 to win just $100 that Bush wins the Heisman. Meanwhile, you can bet $100 on Young and get $280 back or $100 on Leinart and get $300.

No one but Bush is drawing comments like these from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit: ``It's unfair to compare anybody to Reggie Bush. He's at a different level. I'm not talking about him just this year, but maybe ever. EA Sports video games is going to have to come up with a new button for Reggie Bush, because he's become ridiculous.

``I don't care about how many carries he has as long as he stays healthy. He's a once-in-a-lifetime back. Just sit back and appreciate it.''

Unless Bush completely collapses, he should stroll to USC's third Heisman Trophy in four years. The only real challenge to Bush is Young, especially if the Trojans lose a game and fail to make the Rose Bowl. Otherwise, it won't be much of a dogfight.

--Much ado about nothing: There was quite a furor Monday when Texas reached the No. 1 spot in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, but most analysts missed the real point.

The gap between No. 3 Virginia Tech and Nos. 1 and 2 Texas and USC was probably too big to overcome if all three teams finish undefeated. That wasn't lost on Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who normally refuses to talk about the BCS but started his own lobbying campaign.

``When you look at the remainder of our schedule, if somehow we could get through that deal with Boston College, Virginia was ranked until last week, you've got Miami and then if you get through those, you'd be playing somebody pretty good in a championship game,'' Beamer said. ``If you got through all those and the computer didn't go ring-a-ding ding,'' he said, pausing as if to leave the obvious unsaid. ``I think it's going to happen.''

--Player of the week: Northwestern safety Herschel Henderson intercepted two passes at the goal line as the Wildcats stunned Michigan State in East Lansing. He also added five tackles, including one for a loss of nine yards.

--Looking ahead: Florida State and Alabama agreed to play each other in 2007 in Jacksonville, Fla. The schools have played each other only two times and never in Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden's 30 years as coach. Bowden briefly attended Alabama before transferring to Howard (now Samford).

--Awful conference: Although Pitt started 1-4, the Panthers would probably make the Sugar Bowl if they win their three remaining games and Rutgers loses one of its three remaining Big East Conference games.

Pitt is 4-4 but it's still a long shot to make the Sugar Bowl. It plays at Louisville on Nov. 3 and at West Virginia in its season finale.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

Regardless of statistics, USC tailback Reggie Bush is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy because of his playmaking ability, some analysts say.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

(1) ON CAMPUS

- Scott Wolf

(2) DAILY NEWS/CBS 2/KCAL 9 SPORTS CENTRAL POWER RANKINGS