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.
It's less than three weeks until the (presumably) epic showdown between Ohio State and Michigan. USC's 33-31 loss at Oregon State makes it even more likely that, in the event of a close game, the two Big Ten powers could face off twice this season-on Nov. 18 in Columbus, and again on Jan. 8 in Tempe for the naitonal title.
It's almost safe to say the Heisman race is all but over. It seems like once a week, Ohio State senior quarterback Troy Smith has at least one -- if not more -- eye-popping plays that let teamates, coaches, opponents, opposing coaches, fans and everyone else know he's the best player in the country. On Saturday, during a 44-3 win over Indiana, Smith took a three-step stop, saw trouble coming and spun out of a sack, backtracked and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to junior wideout Ted Ginn Jr. Unbelievable.
Troy Smith, Sr. QB, Ohio State: Pretty much on cruise control until Michigan comes to the Horseshoe on Nov. 18. All he really needs is a win over his arch rivals and he can start writing his acceptance speech. Smith completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns in the Buckeyes' win over IU. YTD: 1,715 YDS, 21 TD, 2 INT, 67.9 completion percentage
Steve Slaton, So. RB, West Virginia: Slaton was corralled for much of the first half of the Mountaineers' 37-11 win at Connecticut last Friday, yet he still managed to rush for 128 yards and a score on 19 carries. Slaton now has nine days off before his, and his team's, first big test at Louisville next Thursday night. YTD: 151 ATT, 1,059 YDS, 9 TD, 7.0 yards per carry
Michael Hart, Jr. RB, Michigan: 27 carries a game is a lot for anybody, let alone a college kid in one of the nation's toughest, hard-hittingest conferences, but Hart just keeps chuggin' along. The junior scored two touchdowns and ran for 126 yards on 31 carries in a 20-6 win over Iowa. He also had what would have been his first fumble in more than 630 carries erased by an official's review. YTD: 214 ATT, 1,032 YDS, 8 TD, 4.8 yards per carry
Brady Quinn, Sr. QB, Notre Dame: The Irish were left for dead last Saturday. Notre Dame was down, 17-14, to UCLA at home with 1:01 left in the final stanza before their senior signal-caller led a three-play, 34 second scoring drive that covered 80 yards for the winning touchdown. Quinn completed passes of 21, 14, and 45 yards, respectively on the drive, capping off a day where he completed 27 of 45 passes for 304 yards and two TDs -- without throwing an interception. YTD: 1,938 YDS, 18 TD, 4 INT, 62.9 completion percentage
James Davis, So. RB, Clemson: He doesn't have as many carries or yards as the other two backs on this list, due in part because he splits time with another standout runner -- freshman C.J. Spiller. But Davis has put up some gaudy numbers this season. In a prime time matchup with ACC leader Georgia Tech, Davis ran 21 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns as his Tigers clobbered the Jackets, 31-7. YTD: 139 carries, 961 yards, 16 touchdownss, 6.9 yards per carry
Not only are Ohio State and Michigan 1-2 in this poll, they're 1-2 in the BCS, too, for now. With Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern on OSU's schedule, and Northwestern, Ball State!!! and Inidiana coming up for UM, Nov. 18 is shaping up to be called the Game of the Century to this point.
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.
