1. Troy Smith (QB Ohio State): 15/22, 234 yds, 2 TDs vs. Michigan State - Explain to me what it would take for Troy Smith to lose this award. He could probably even survive in the #1 spot if Ohio State was upset in some week of the season prior to the Michigan game, that is how far out in front he is right now. Smith is probably the most mature quarterback I have watched play this season. He isn't making the poor decision that have haunted him in the past. He almost looks on auto pilot in the pocket. Short of throwing 4 interceptions in a game, this award is his. And he might even still win it if he did that. He has that big a margin for error at this point with Peterson gone, and the rest of the pack just following along in a big clump behind him.
2. Steve Slaton (RB West Va.): 21 car., 178 yds, 2 TDs vs. Syracuse - For the second week in a row, a Heisman candidate was overshadowed by another player on his team. Only this time, it didn't affect that player's numbers in the game, or his chances at winning the award. West Virginia's quarterback, Pat White, broke school rushing records for a quarterback with his performance in the game, but still managed to give the ball to Slaton 21 times. And Slaton did what Slaton does. Another big game, and more big numbers to add to the growing list. Slaton is still a ways away from the #1 spot on this list and has stiff competition for #2. Big games are going to have to be expected, especially when the Mountaineers face Louisville.
3. Erik Ainge (QB Tennessee): BYE, Season Stats: 69% comp., 1657 yds, 15 TDs, 5 INTs, 171.57 rating - Not only does Ainge move up when he doesn't play, he actually passes other players who were off this week. Looking at the numbers, the competition, and everything else going on down on the field, I have to put Ainge at the #3 spot. After I pretty much dismissed Ainge earlier in the year, he has proven me wrong. Injecting a little David Cutcliffe into this young man has changed him for the better. I would take Ainge over any quarterback in the SEC right now. He has made a believer out of me, and that is why he is currently #3 on my list.
4. Brady Quinn (QB ND): BYE, Season Stats: 63.5% comp., 1634 yds, 16 TDs, 4 INTs, 141.86 rating - Sorry Brady. I had to drop you. There is still time for this year's pre-season favorite to take this back, but we won't really see tough competition for Quinn until the last few weeks of the season. Until then, we will have to be content with him beating up on UCLA, North Carolina, Army, and Navy. Not exactly running the gauntlet in that group. That of course makes it all the more important that Quinn performs well in those games, or he might meet the same fate as Wolfe, falling out of the Top 5 in my vote.



5. Adrian Peterson (RB Oklahoma): 26 car., 183 yds, 3 rec., 45 yds, 2 TDs vs. Iowa State - Yes, I know he is done for the year. However, tell me any of you have any doubts about Peterson being one of the Top 5 players in college football this season. He showed exactly why he was second in his freshman season. There is a good chance, should Oklahoma have continued to win, that he could have taken this award. For that reason alone, I have to believe that he deserves at least a few token votes for 5th place. He was that good, and remains on my list this week. Next week, well, let's wait and see what happens to everyone else.
6. Ian Johnson (RB Boise State): 27 car., 192 yds, 4 TDs vs. Mew Mexico State - New Mexico State is usually one of the worst teams in Division 1-A, but somehow have already won 2 games this season. So, maybe they are slowing turning that program around. Johnson might have just set them back a few years. This is Johnson's second monster game this season, his first coming against Oregon State. Add in another big game when I gave him the Heisman-like performance, and you are looking at what might be a real candidate. And Johnson is doing it while Boise State is still putting up big numbers in the passing game with Jared Zabransky. Johnson is my #6, mostly because of competition at this point in the season. He is in the same situation as Brady Quinn. He better not have a down game before facing Nevada, or he is going to be off the list.

Others receiving consideration: Michael Hart (RB Michigan), Garrett Wolfe (RB Northern Illinois), Chad Henne (QB Michigan), Calvin Johnson (WR Georgia Tech), Marshawn Lynch (RB Cal), JaMarcus Russell (QB LSU)

Dropped from my watch list: Chris Leak (Florida), Mario Manningham (Michigan), John David Booty (USC)

Heisman-like Performance

This week's player: Eugene Jarvis - RB, Kent State
Line: 31 car., 179 yards, 3 TD vs. Toledo
This week's award almost went to Colt Brennan, the quarterback of the Hawaii Warriors, because completing over 80% of your passes, especially when you pass as often as he does, is something special. However, I couldn't pass up Eugene Jarvis. Jarvis is only a freshman, much like last week's winner, Dan LeFevour. And he also beat up on Toledo much like LeFevour. Jarvis is a running back for the Golden Flashes, and he is 5'5". That's right, 5'5" and weighs in at 158 pounds. That puts him a full two inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter than Garrett Wolfe, who we have all been so impressed with this season. You see that and then you read the quote from Sean Williamson, defensive lineman for the losing Rockets: "He moves well and is hard to bring down." Moves well had better be correct, because he is about half the size of most of the guys out there trying to tackle him. Jarvis continues the trend of small running backs performing well this season, gaining 179 yards and scoring three times on Toledo while running the ball 31 times, more than he thinks he has ever run the ball in his football life. After the game, he gave all the credit to his offensive line and coaching. Congrats to Jarvis on being my Heisman-like performer this week, and to Kent State, who, for the first time ever, are 4-0 in conference, and have their longest winning streak since 1976. Not bad for a team picked to finish last in the MAC by most experts. If Jarvis continues running like this, those experts will be changing their opinion quickly.

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