1. Troy Smith (QB Ohio State): 298 yds, 3 TD vs. Northern Illinois - You have to wonder if Jim Tressel is thinking about how different last season would have been if Smith had started against Texas. Sure, Ohio State had more than just that loss, but Troy Smith is the real deal. From the opening snap, he looked perfect behind center. It took me a couple of quarters before I wondered if Smith even had an incomplete pass. If Smith plays this way all season, Ohio State will be back in Arizona for their bowl, and it will be for the crystal football.
2. Steve Slaton (RB West Va.): 203 yds rush, 2 TD vs. Marshall - It may be the game that got the least attention across the country and not even the review shows covered this until late night, but Slaton had the top rushing day in college football. Slaton needs to have more high profile games if his performances are going to turn the voters' heads, but this was a great start for him.
3. Brady Quinn (QB ND): 256 yds pass, 22 yds rush 1 TD - As I mentioned, Quinn didn't look very good throughout the first half, but led a late drive of 80 yards which at least got the Irish on the board before half time. The second half was much improved, but he still didn't find the end zone with his arm. He can't continue to have that happen if he wants to go home with the Heisman award. It does seem fitting that he had this poor game against a team that used to be coached by John Heisman himself. Maybe this was the old coach's way of telling Quinn he is going to have to work for this award.
4. Chris Leak (QB Florida): 246 yds, 3 TD vs. Southern Miss - It took him a while to get going, but Chris Leak turned in a performance for the Gators. A lot of his early gains came on short passes but the offense opened up as the game went on. Tim Tebow saw some time in the game, even scoring a rushing touchdown, but Leak showed the leadership needed to keep starting for now. And his performance earned him a spot on the Heisman Watch list.
5. Drew Tate (QB Iowa): 225 yds, 3 TD vs. Montana - Yes, it's Montana, but Tate was surgical in his passing attack. Three touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at and he was the best quarterback through the early games on Saturday. It will be interesting to see if Tate can keep this up when they finally play a decent team in two weeks - Iowa State.



6. Garrett Wolfe (RB Northern Illinois): 172 yds rushing, 115 yds rec, 1 TD - You play against Ohio State and still get numbers like he did, you have to have talent. He was the only player for Northern Illinois who didn't look super slow against the Buckeyes. Wolfe should have no problem rolling over his MAC opponents this season, and leading Northern Illinois into the MAC championship game.


7. Kenny Irons (RB Auburn): 184 yds rush, 1 TD, 38 yds rec - It could have been over 200 yards rushing but Auburn was rolling over Washington State. Irons was the key to this win though as quarterback Brandon Cox was pretty average. It will be interesting to see what Irons can do against the defenses in the SEC, as we saw the Pac-10 defenses have a long way to go.


8. Adrian Peterson (RB Oklahoma): 136 yds rush 1 TD, 69 yds rec 1 TD - It was tough to drop him this far, but Oklahoma and Peterson stuggled for the second straight year in an opening game. Quarterback Paul Thompson was adequate, but this is a very different team without Rhett Bomar behind center. Peterson is still the best athlete in the game right now, and this ranking should change as the season goes on. His speed was huge in the receiving touchdown and he still has the ability to make defenses miss. But, all told, he was the 4th best back for the opening week.



9. Calvin Johnson (WR Georgia Tech): 110 yds, 1 TD - Georgia Tech gave Notre Dame everything they had, and still came up short. Johnson was a big part of that and could have been used more. He should continue to be a big part of that offense given that Reggie Ball looks like an improved passer. He may get lost in the shuffle with all the guys still above him on this list.


10. Teddy Ginn, Jr. (Slash Ohio State): 4 rec., 123 yds, 2 TD vs. Northern Illinois - Ginn only touched the ball seven times during the game, but that was enough to get him onto this list. If there is any question he will be in the minds of Heisman voters all season, you must have missed his performance here. He has definitely matured since last season and as long as he doesn't disappear like last season, he will be in the hunt. The only issue he might have in getting votes is that his quarterback is going to touch the ball that much more.

• Sidney Rice (South Carolina) - Shut out by Mississippi State and he's a sophomore
• Michael Bush (Louisville) - After rolling up huge 1st half numbers, Bush broke his leg in the third quarter and is lost for the year to Louisville. That is not only a crushing blow to his Heisman hopes, but also to Louisville's chances at the Big East title.

In addition to the Top Ten, each week, I will be highlighting a player outside of the public eye, who had a Heisman-like performance. Who knows? One of these guys might continue to do well each week, moving them into the Top Ten here. Most often, these players will be from the conferences outside of the top six, as players playing elsewhere will have a tough time getting the exposure they need to win the award.

This week's player: Dwayne Wright - RB, Fresno State
Line: 26 carries, 158 yards, 3 TD vs. Nevada
Wright was the main focus of the offense for a Fresno State team which was starting an entirely new backfield. Wright sat out most of last season with a knee injury and it was a big question as to whether he could come back. He proved that he could, rolling up on the Nevada defense. The Wolfpack was supposed to have one of the top front seven in the WAC, but certainly didn't show it. Wright will continue to be the focal point of the offense and it looks like Fresno State should have no worries at the running back position.

Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com