5. Collin Klein
(Passing) 56/80 (70%), 758 Yards, 5TDs 2INT (Rushing) 62 Attempts, 289 Yards 5TDs (Total) 1,047 Yards & 10TDs)
Sometimes a bye week can help your candidacy because the leaders stumble and people say “Hey, maybe we should take a look at the other guys”. Unfortunately for Klein, this was not one of those weeks. With the numbers that Geno Smith put up (more on that later), Collin Klein somehow had his numbers appear that much more diminished. He does play Kansas next week so he could easily put up stats that could push him back up the ladder, but for this week, he is a bye-week casualty.
4. Aaron Murray
88/129 (68%) 1,370 Yards 12TDs 3INT
I will admit, I was not sold on Aaron Murray going into the season, but he has steadily risen into legitimate Heisman contention. Although he has a solid defense and a stable of running backs at his disposal, I am not sure Georgia is in the position that they are in without him at QB. Against Tennessee he passed for 278 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a interception. While his numbers aren’t eye-popping, he is doing exactly what he needs to so that his team adds another notch to the win column. Another quick fact about Murray, his completion percentage has gone up in every game he has played this year.
3. Braxton Miller
(Passing) 76/122 (63%) 933 Yards, 8TDs, 3INT (Rushing) 90 Attempts 577 Yards, 7TDs (Total) 1,510 Yards & 15 TDs
In a game where Ohio State needed their star to shine bright, Braxton Miller came through and provided a showcase for the nation to take notice of what OSU fans already knew. After being battered all game by the Michigan State defense, Miller found a way to pull out the victory for his team. Braxton provided 315 yards (179 passing &136 rushing) as well as a touchdown. It is a well known fact that the Buckeyes lean on him heavily to move the ball on offense, and he has risen to the challenge. If Miller continues to have Ohio State winning and he puts up excellent numbers, he could find himself vying for the Heisman at the end of the year.
2. E.J. Manuel
88/120 (73%) 1,147 Yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT
A player that many laughed at the thought of being a Heisman candidate at the beginning of the season, Manuel has commanded the Florida State to a undefeated record, and a chance to compete for a national championship. After providing a defining moment against Clemson, he followed that up with an efficient 242 yard, 1 touchdown performance against South Florida. As long as Florida State keeps winning, and Manuel plays at this level, he should continue to remain in Heisman contention.
1. Geno Smith
141/169 (83%) 1,728 Yards, 20 TDs, 0 INT
45/51 (88%), 658 yards, 8 Touchdowns. Take a second to take that all in. Now remember this was against a top 25 team. Geno Smith may have solidified his hold on the Heisman already with a game for the ages Saturday against Baylor in West Virginia’s conference opener. To compare how big of a lead he now holds, this of the numbers he is putting up in this fashion, his 658 yards he threw for Satuday is only 100 fewer than Collin Klein has for the whole season. The 8 Touchdowns are 3 more than Klein, Braxton Millers’ season total, and only one fewer than Manuel has all year. Keep in mind we are talking about other Heisman candidates he outplayed in one game. If Geno Smith even plays half as good as he did on Saturday (329 yards & 4TDs), he would still completely separate himself from the rest of the field.
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