Tim Israel-

Week 4 didn’t tell us very much, as most of the top players didn’t have big weeks.  Expect things to really shake up after next week as a lot of these guys have tough matchups this weekend. Special shout out to Cobi Hamilton, a wide receiver on Arkansas, for his 303 yard performance against Rutgers, that’s Heisman numbers.

Here are the top 10 Heisman candidates after week 4:

1.  Geno Smith, West Virginia, QB, Last week: 1

Will this guy ever make a mistake??? He’s played flawless football: 12 touchdowns, no interceptions, and an 81.4% completion rate.  He gets his first real test against #25 Baylor this weekend.  Expect him to dominate yet again.

2.  Braxton Miller, Ohio State, QB, Last week: 3

Miller wasn’t extraordinary against UAB, but he got the job done and it was enough to move him up a spot.  No other top candidates shined, so it allowed Miller to move up.  Finally we get to see him against a legitimate defense, when he takes on Michigan State.  We’ll see if he’s at the top to stay or not.

3.  De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon, RB, Last week: 2

Vs. Arizona- 12 carries for 48 yards.  First three games- 13 carries for 228 yards.  We got to see why Thomas is going to have trouble maintaining pace with these other players.  He simply doesn’t get a lot of touches and so any off game is a big blow to his numbers.   With the Pac-12 season just starting, Thomas might not be able to keep up his inflated stats.

4.  Collin Klein, Kansas St., QB, Last week: 7

I asked this kid to show me he’s improved from last year, and what does he do? He takes his Wildcats into Oklahoma and upsets the #6 Sooner’s.  No, it wasn’t his best statistical game of the year, but how can I complain when he’s got his team as the highest ranked Big 12 team in the country.

5.  Johnathan Franklin, UCLA, RB, Last week: 4

You can only ride a 217 yard performance against Nebraska for so long, especially when your team loses to Oregon St.  If Franklin doesn’t have a big game against Colorado this weekend, he will fall in the rankings.

6.  Aaron Murray, Georgia, QB, Last week: 9

I’ve used the same word every week for this guy, solid. Murray proved himself again in a thrashing of Vanderbilt.  As Georgia keeps winning and Murray continues his steady play, he will slowly move up the ranks like he did this week.

7.  Marqise Lee, USC, WR, Last week: n/a

I never thought this would happen.  The highest ranked USC player is not Matt Barkley. Lee is leading the nation in receptions and receiving touchdowns, and is second in yards.  Barkley has looked extremely suspect the last two weeks, but that hasn’t stopped Lee from producing amazing stats.

8.  Stepfan Taylor, Stanford, RB, Last week: 6

Everyone else played while he was sitting at home. That’s the only reason he dropped a few spots and he can move right back up with a big week against Washington.

9.  Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, QB, Last week: Player to watch

His consistent play has Louisville sitting at 4-0 and looking like a front runner in the Big East.  I’m still waiting to see him against a good defense.

10.  Marcus Mariota, Oregon , QB, Last week: n/a

Will somebody give this kid the recognition he deserves? With the two-headed monster of Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas, Mariota gets no credit for Oregon’s success. His stats are as good as any quarterback in the country and he led Oregon in a rout of Arizona.

Dropped from rankings: Matt Barkley, Mike Gillislee, Tajh Boyd

Players to watch:

Matt Barkley, USC- He has been very average the last two weeks and his completion percentage is at 61% on the year.  Just because everyone hypes him up doesn’t mean he gets special treatment and an automatic place in the top 10.

Le’Veon Bell, Mich St.- Bell was fantastic last week rushing for over 250 yards.  With a big game against Ohio St. he will be back in the top 10.

Stepfon Jefferson, Nevada- 7 touchdowns last week. Do I need to say anything else?

Tweet reactions to me @Average_Tim