He didn't have an awesome showing against Minnesota last weekend, but Ohio State QB Troy Smith remains at the top of my Heisman list. There's a new entrant into the top five, too.
Troy Smith, Sr. QB, Ohio State: Smith had a very pedestrian day in the Buckeyes' 44-0 win over the Gophers: 14-21, 183 yards and a TD. He did have a nice 21-yard rushing score, though-his first of the season. YTD: 1,878 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INTs, 67.8 completion percentage.
Steve Slaton, So. RB, West Virginia: Slaton and the Mountaineers were off last weekend. They have a huge showdown with Louisville on Thursday. I'm sure the Cardinals remember Slaton after his five touchdown performance against them last season. YTD: 151 carries, 1,059 YDS, 9 TD, 7.0 yards per carry.
Brady Quinn, Sr. QB, Notre Dame: The USC game Nov. 25 doesn't mean as much after the Trojans' loss at Oregon State last weekend. But Quinn's stock can continue to improve is he continues to have days like he did Saturday as the Irish routed Navy, 38-14. Quinn completed 18 of 25 passes for 295 yards and 3 scores. He also scampered for a 19-yard score. YTD: 2,233 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs, 63.7 completion percentage.
Michael Hart, Jr. RB, Michigan: In Michigan's 17-3 win over Northwestern last weekend, Hart failed to reach the 100-yard mark for the second time in nine games this season. He was close, though, as he tallied 95 yards on 20 carries and ran for a score. YTD: 234 carries, 1,127 yards, 9 TDs, 4.8 yards per carry.
Colt McCoy, Fr. QB, Texas: McCoy orchestrated a Horns second-half comeback at Texas Tech last weekend. Down 31-21 at halftime, McCoy led Texas on two scoring drives to eek out a 35-31 win. The youngster went 21-31 for 256 yards, 4 TDs and a pick. His numbers on the season are actually better than Smith and Quinn;s, too. YTD: 1,705 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs, 67.7 completion percentage.
Northern Illinois University senior running back Garrett Wolfe is making a name for himself nationally with his spectacular play this season. His gaudy numbers have him at number two in this week's Heisman watch
Troy Smith, Sr. QB, Ohio State: In a 35-7 win over Bowling Green last Saturday, Smith completed 85 percent of his passes and threw three scores. Nuff said. YTD: 68.2 percent completions, 1,262 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INTs
Garrett Wolfe, Sr. RB, Northern Illinois: On a more nationally recognized team, Wolfe might be at the top of this list. He could be the first MAC player since Randy Moss in 1997 to represent the mid-major conference at the Dowtown Athletic Club this December. YTD: 156 carries, 1,343 yards, 8.6 yards per carry, 13 TDs
Brady Quinn, Sr. QB, Notre Dame: If not for that bad loss to Michigan, Quinn could be the frontrunner for the Heisman. He's worked his way back into a groove, though, throwing for 234 yards and three scores in a 31-10 win over Stanford. YTD: 63.5 completion percentage, 1,634 yards, 16 TDs, 4 INTs
Adrian Peterson, Jr. RB, Oklahoma: As exhibited in Oklahoma's 28-10 loss to Texas Saturday, Peterson has no help on the offensive side of the ball. He does continue to put up solid numbers, rushing for 109 yards and a score in the Sooners' loss to the Horns. YTD: 142 carries, 752 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 8 TDs
Michael Hart, Jr. RB, Michigan: His numbers aren't as gaudy as Wolfe's and the team doesn't rely on him as much as OU relies on Peterson, but Hart makes Michigan's offense potent. Go Blue uses the run to set up play action and once they get a lead, they lean on Hart to eat up clock. U of M folowed that formula in its 31-13 win over in-state rival Michigan State. Hart carried the ball 22 times for 122 yards. YTD: 157 carries, 794 yards, 5.1 yards per carry, 5 TDs
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
