Here’s a look at the top five 2012 Heisman Candidates heading into Week 4:
5. Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Braxton Miller
Last weekend, Miller single-handedly helped the Buckeyes avoid an upset against the California Golden Bears–including a 72-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith in the game’s final minutes. Miller has 12 touchdowns (seven through the air and five on the ground) so far in 2012 and he should put up big numbers in Week 4 against a winless UAB team.
4. USC Trojans Quarterback Matt Barkley
It’s no surprise to see Barkley this low on the list considering his disappointing performance against the Stanford Cardinal in which he threw for just 254 yards and two interceptions. Still, Barkley has thrown for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season–so there’s no reason why he can’t bounce back against California on Saturday.
3. UCLA Bruins Running Back Johnathan Franklin
So far, Franklin has recorded 662 yards from the line of scrimmage and four touchdowns over the Bruins first three games, but he faces a very difficult matchup on Saturday against an Oregon State Beavers team that pulled off the upset on the Wisconsin Badgers a few weeks game. During that game, Oregon State held Montee Ball to just 61 rushing yards–which could mean trouble for Franklin.
2. Oregon Ducks Running Back De’Anthony Thomas
Another week, another impressive performance for Thomas as he finished with 220 all-purpose yards last weekend against Tennessee Tech. Thomas has recorded seven total touchdowns over Oregon’s first three games, but he faces an Arizona Wildcats team this weekend that is allowing just over 18 points per game.
1. West Virginia Mountaineers Quarterback Geno Smith
As expected, Smith was nothing short of amazing against James Madison last weekend as he completed 34 of 39 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns. Smith has completed 88 percent of his passes on the year, but he faces a tough task on Saturday against a Maryland Terrapins team allowing just 124.3 yards per game through the air to their opponents.
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