Heisman Watch: Week 9
Rich Cirminiello / CollegeFootballNews.com

Remember Garrett Wolfe? You know, the back from Northern Illinois that looked destined to run for 6,000 yards before opposing defenses figured out they could stack the line to contain him.

For a while, Wolfe was the hottest thing in a non-BCS uniform since Alex Smith guided Utah to the Fiesta Bowl. Wolfe has faded, but did leave a lasting impression that you don't have to play for Behemoth U. to capture the attention of voters….provided you can deliver insane stats.
Enter Colt Brennan, the former Colorado walk-on and current Hawaii gunslinger, who has begun raising awareness after throwing five touchdown passes in a game for the fifth time in the Warriors' last six games. Like Wolfe, Brennan's numbers are getting hard to ignore, so many Heisman voters have stopped trying and started paying attention to his box score since most of Hawaii's game are neither on national television nor over before the wee hours of Sunday morning. With higher-profile games still left against Purdue and Oregon State, Brennan's got a shot to do what former Warrior Timmy Chang never could—parlay record-breaking numbers into Heisman votes.

The following ranking is not a personal opinion, rather a handicapping of how the contenders would fare if a vote was taken today.

1. QB Troy Smith, Ohio State

The ever-consistent Smith actually mixed in a rushing touchdown in Saturday's win, his first since last year's game with Michigan. He also extended to 120 his streak of passes without an interception, which began more than a month ago against Penn State. Smith has become so predictable with his crisp play, any divergence in upcoming games with Illinois and Northwestern might cause a revolt among voters.
Last Week: 14-of-21 for 183 yards and 1 TD – 6 carries for 43 yards and 1 TD (Minnesota)
This Week: at Illinois
2006 Season: 145-of-214 for 1,898 yards, 22 TDs and 2 INTs – 42 carries for 169 yards and 1 TD
Barometer: Steady

2. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame


Since reaching a low point against Michigan six weeks ago, Quinn has climbed all the way back, thanks to 16 touchdowns and just one interception over the last five games. Sprinkle in five wins, two in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion, and it's no wonder the Notre Dame senior would finish in the top 3 if votes were tabulated today. Ironically, USC's loss to Oregon State Saturday may have damaged Quinn's chances of leapfrogging the front-running Smith.
Last Week: 18-of-25 for 295 yards and 3 TDs – 4 carries for 28 yards and 1 TD (Navy)
This Week: vs. North Carolina
2006 Season: 193-of-303 for 2,233 yards, 21 TDs and 4 INTs – 2 rushing TDs
Barometer: Steady

3. RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia


If anyone is going to make this Heisman race really interesting for the first time since mid-September, it's going to be Slaton. And it's going to happen Thursday night at Papa John's Stadium. Troy Smith has been on cruise control for weeks, but that'll change abruptly if Slaton authors one of his patented 175-yard, two-touchdown performances in a Mountaineer win over Louisville.
Last Week: Idle
This Week: at Louisville
2006 Season: 151 carries for 1,059 yards and 9 TDs
Barometer: Steady

4. RB Marshawn Lynch, Cal


The week off was good for Lynch's ankles, which have been barking since September. With USC's loss Saturday temporarily elevating Cal to the favorite role in the Pac-10, Lynch needs to pounce on the new-found exposure by extending his Heisman support beyond just the left coast.
Last Week: Idle
This Week: vs. UCLA
2006 Season: 132 carries for 907 yards and 8 TDs – 19 catches for 216 yards and 3 TDs
Barometer: Steady

5. RB Mike Hart, Michigan


With the Wolverines clearly missing top receiver Mario Manningham for the third consecutive week, Hart stepped up again to assume the role of offensive MVP in a low-scoring, hard-fought Michigan win. Only four backs in the country have rushed for more yards than No. 20, but his value to the Wolverines' 9-0 start to the season extends well beyond anything that shows up in a box score.
Last Week: 20 carries for 95 yards and 1 TD – 2 catches for 23 yards (Northwestern)
This Week: vs. Ball State
2006 Season: 234 carries for 1,127 and 9 TDs – 11 catches for 114 yards
Barometer: Steady

6. WR Ted Ginn, Ohio State


Ginn was quiet in Saturday's rout of Minnesota, amassing 74 total yards, but failing to get loose for a big play or reach the end zone. With lightweights Illinois and Northwestern next on the schedule, his only chance to solidify a finalist's invite to New York City will be to erupt against Michigan for his best game of the 2006 season.
Last Week: 3 catches for 22 yards (Minnesota)
This Week: at Illinois
2006 Season: 44 catches for 611 yards and 7 TDs – 1 punt return TD – 1 TD pass
Barometer: Falling

7. RB Ray Rice, Rutgers


For the first time al year, Rice failed to make nice, gaining just 79 yards on 22 carries. Although, it was a lost opportunity to pick up more supporters with an ESPN national TV audience watching, don't expect it to derail his quest. Rice's defining moments are still to come next Thursday versus Louisville and next month at West Virginia.
Last Week: 22 carries for 79 yards and 1 TD (Connecticut)
This Week: Idle
2006 Season: 223 carries for 1,203 yards and 13 TDs
Barometer: Steady

8. QB Pat White, West Virginia


White's been on the come for weeks, but with the entire sports world watching Thursday night's showdown with Louisville, he'll have a venue that can really infuse more Heisman helium into his campaign. If, however, he gets overshadowed by teammate Steve Slaton or Louisville QB Brian Brohm, White will labor to remain in the top 10.
Last Week: Idle
This Week: at Louisville
2006 Season: 64-of-93 for 822 yards, 6 TDs and 5 INTs – 73 carries for 619 yards and 9 TDs
Barometer: Steady

8. QB Colt Brennan, Hawaii


Brennan's staggering numbers are beginning to resonate off the Islands and on to the mainland, where voters reside. His production has been staggering, bringing David Klingler's single-season record of 54 touchdown passes within reach with five games remaining. Oh, and just in case voters believe Brennan is merely a chucker or a stat compiler, he's also on pace to shatter Shaun King's single-season mark for passing efficiency.
Last Week: 31-of-38 for 333 yards and 5 TDs – 5 carries for 63 yards (Idaho)
This Week: at Utah State
2006 Season: 230-of-311 for 2,934 yards, 33 TDs and 5 INTs – 45 carries for 194 yards and 2 TDs
Barometer: Rising

Heisman Contender of the Week
10. RB James Davis, Clemson


Hampered by a stinger and facing a relentless Virginia Tech defense, Davis failed to capitalize on the momentum he'd built a week earlier in Clemson's demolition of Georgia Tech. Instead, the sophomore gained just 30 yards on 12 carries Thursday night, needing a rapid rebound against surging Maryland to fend off young backs, such as Darren McFadden and P.J. Hill, and SEC quarterbacks Erik Ainge and Chris Leak.
Last Week: 12 carries for 30 yards and 1 TD – (Virginia Tech)
This Week: vs. Maryland
2006 Season: 151 carries for 991 yards and 17 TDs
Barometer: Falling

Also Getting Votes ... RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas), RB P.J. Hill (Wisconsin), QB Erik Ainge (Tennessee), QB Chris Leak (Florida), RB Ian Johnson (Boise State), QB John David Booty (USC), QB Chad Henne (Michigan), RB Garrett Wolfe (Northern Illinois), WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Brian Brohm (Louisville) and QB Nate Longshore (Cal).

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