Ivan Maisel's Heisman Watch

Onterrio Smith continued to impress in a 45-42 loss to Arizona State. AP

Sports Illustrated senior writer Ivan Maisel will track the Heisman race for CNNSI.com all season long.

The race begins here. The fourth week of October is the traditional starting point of the Heisman Trophy.

No, it’s not. I made that up.

But take a look at this race. There IS no frontrunner, not one that I can discern. Call me indecisive. I admit it. But no one, in my mind, has stood out enough to be The Guy.

Although McGahee is starting to appeal to me. Then again, Leftwich keeps putting up numbers.

Here goes. I’m willing to listen to any and all arguments, except the ones about Casey Clausen, Rex Grossman, Chance Harridge and Chris Simms ...

1. Onterrio Smith, Oregon, Jr., RB

Last Week (vs. Arizona State): 27 carries, 172 yards, 3 TDs
Season (7 games): 182 carries, 936 yards (133.7 ypg), 12 TDs

Another game, another 172 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Maurice Clarett, Ohio State, Fr., TB

Last Week (vs. Wisconsin): 30 carries, 133 yards
Season (7 games): 161 carries, 980 yards (140 ypg), 13 TDs

Why does Jim Tressel keep him on the field late in the game in order to sustain a shoulder stinger? On the other hand, if Clarett is serious about leaving after this season...

3. Byron Leftwich, Marshall, Sr., QB

Last Week (vs. Troy State): 22-of-35, 275 yards, 2 TDs
Season (6 games): 136-of-209 (65.1 percent), 2,314 yards, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

He even ran for a touchdown in the 24-7 victory over Troy State. A tough MAC stretch awaits: two road games, followed by a Nov. 2 showdown against Miami and its top passer, Ben Roethlisberger.

4a. Willis McGahee, Miami, So., TB

Season (6 games): 132 carries, 847 yards (141.2 ypg), 13 TDs

4b. Ken Dorsey, Miami, Sr., QB

Season (6 games): 99-of-185 (53.5 percent), 1,408 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs

Had the week off, which, given what happened to Seneca Wallace, may not be such a bad thing.

5. Seneca Wallace, Iowa State, Sr., QB

Last Week: (vs. Oklahoma): 4-of-22, 43 yards, 3 INTs
Season (8 games): 128-of-214 (59.8 percent), 1,842 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTS, 5 rushing TDs

Everybody is entitled to one bad week. Wallace had about three of them Saturday. But he picked the right Heisman race in which to collapse. With all the good Saturdays he has had, he stays on this watch.

Want to weigh in with your own opinion? Vote in The People's Heisman.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Ivan Maisel covers college football for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to submit a question to his Mailbag.

 

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