The latest edition of the Heismanpundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Straw Poll is out and, once again, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith leads the race for the most prestigious trophy in sports.
Smith captured eight of 11 first-place votes from the weekly panel of Heisman voters to total 24 points while topping the poll for the second week in a row.
He held off Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, who surged following his team’s upset of No. 6 Oklahoma. Klein’s 16 points and two first-place votes pushed him from fourth in last week’s poll to second place this week.
“Klein is defying the odds, guiding his team into the top 10,” said one voter. “If it wasn’t for him, K-State would be horrible.”
Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel made his poll debut, landing in third place with 12 points thanks to a stellar performance in a win over Clemson.
USC wide receiver Marqise Lee received the panel’s other first-place vote. He tied withOregon’s De’Anthony Thomasfor fourth.
Heading into its seventh season, the former Heismanpundit.com Heisman Straw Poll has been reborn as the HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Straw Poll. It has been the most accurate Heisman poll in the country the last five seasons, with the final 2011 poll correctly picking the top seven finishers. It is made up of 11 Heisman voters from across the country. They vote for three players each week. Tabulations are made on a 3-2-1 basis (just like a real Heisman ballot) with three points awarded for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote and one point for a third-place vote.
Each week’s poll will be released on Tuesday throughout the season at CBSSports.com and at HeismanPundit.com.
The HP/CBSSports.com Heisman Straw Poll, 9-25-2012
Player, total points (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia – 24 (8)
2. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State – 16 (2)
3. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State – 12
4. (tie) De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon – 3
Marqise Lee, WR, USC – 3 (1)
6. (tie) Chris Thompson, RB, Florida State – 2
Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – 2
Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – 2
9. (tie) Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia – 1
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia – 1
About the Voting Panel
The 11 members of the panel include: Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, Tom Dienhart of The Big Ten Network, Michael Lev of the Orange County Register, Bruce Feldman, Dennis Dodd and Bryan Fischer of CBSSports.com, Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News, Lenn Robbins of the New York Post, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman and Dave Hackenberg of The Toledo Blade. Chris Huston, CBSSports.com Heisman analyst and publisher of HeismanPundit.com, coordinates and also votes in the weekly poll.
DeAnthony Thomas is #1 y’all are a bunch of idiots back east!! I hope Oregon Wins it all! Then what U gonna say!?????
Why no mention of A.J. McCarron from Alabama?
He ranks 4th Nationally among Qb’s. Hasn’t thrown an interception in over 170 attempts and has tossed 10 td’s.
Wow – you guys have David Ass from Texas lilsted as a candidate. How is Manziel from Texas A&M not in the race. Kid is smokin and has been made to sit 3 of the last 12 quarters he has played.
Ridiculous.