Since we are down to just four Heisman candidates, it makes it a little easier to break things down.
Troy Smith and Ohio State host Penn State in a nationally televised game. I think Smith needs to do well here to keep momentum going, since this game and next week’s Iowa game are his last high profile matchups until Nov. 18 vs. Michigan. Interestingly enough, he has done very little running this year and I wonder if that part of his game is a thing of the past. Look for Smith to have another big game with at least 250 passing yards and 3 TDs as he shows he can handle the pressure of being the current Heisman front runner.
Adrian Peterson and Oklahoma host Middle Tennessee State. No one will be watching this game, but it is very important to Peterson’s Heisman hopes nonetheless. He needs to notch another 200 yard game to keep his stats in shape as he approaches the big game against Texas. I think he will do just that, as I believe Oklahoma is going to give him every chance to win the Heisman. If things work out right, he could have 800 yards heading into the Red River Shootout. I really like Peterson’s Heisman chances at this point and it is fortuitous that he will have two weeks to rest before facing the Longhorns.
Brady Quinn and Notre Dame travel to Michigan State. This game is a survival game for Quinn’s Heisman hopes. If he doesn’t perform and the Irish struggle, he will begin to fade away as a candidate. But, if he has a big game, look for him to stay alive as he pads his stats against weaker competition for the next seven weeks. If he can survive this week–and I think he will–then who knows what the landscape will look like in late November? I think Quinn will put up over 300 yards passing in a shootout win.
Chris Leak and Florida host Kentucky. Leak should have little trouble putting up huge numbers here and I expect him to remain the nation’s pass efficiency leader after this week. Kentucky is improved offensively this year, so Leak may get to see more action than usual, which will help his stats. I think another 250-plus passing yards and 4 TDs might be in the offing. A bit of bad news for Leak: Freshman phenom Percy Harvin–who can take an 8-yard pass 80 yards and make a quarterback’s stats look really good–has a dreaded high-ankle sprain and is questionable for this game.
How I Expect The Heisman Race To Look After Saturday
1. Troy Smith
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Brady Quinn
4. Chris Leak
5. Steve Slaton
6. Michael Hart
7. Ted Ginn
8. Garrett Wolfe
9. JD Booty
10. Calvin Johnson
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