Here’s a look at the top five players for 2012 Heisman Candidates Week 7:
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Linebacker Manti Te’o
The Irish have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2012 season and one of the main reasons why is because of Te’o. Thanks to Te’o, Notre Dame’s defense is allowing just 7.8 points per game so far this season and is off to a 5-0 start–which is why he’s making his debut on this list.
4. Oregon Ducks Running Back De’Anthony Thomas
Thomas may have only recorded 75 rushing yards on 10 carries against the Washington Huskies last weekend, but he wasn’t needed as much considering the Ducks still put up 52 points. The main factor that makes Thomas a strong candidate is his 9.2 yards per carry average along with his nine total touchdowns so far this season.
3. Kansas State Wildcats Quarterback Collin Klein
As expected, Klein displayed a phenomenal performance against the Kansas Jayhawks after recording 129 passing yards and 116 rushing yards to go along with four total touchdowns. The Iowa State Cyclones are allowing their opponents to average 15.8 points per game this season–so Klein will certainly be tested on Saturday.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Braxton Miller
The Buckeyes are coming off a big win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in which Miller displayed another impressive performance on the ground by recording 186 rushing yards to go along with 127 passing yards and two total touchdowns. Ohio State takes on a 2-3 Indiana Hoosiers team this weekend–so don’t be surprised if Miller puts up big numbers once again.
1. West Virginia Mountaineers Quarterback Geno Smith
Nobody can say Smith has yet to be tested in 2012 after an impressive performance against the Texas Longhorns in which he completed 25 of 35 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns. What’s even more impressive is Smith has 24 touchdowns and zero interceptions on the year–which is why he remains on top of the list heading into Week 7.
