2012 Heisman Watch: Week 2

The Heisman Trophy is college football’s most coveted individual award. Each week, Garnet Report’s Avery Wilks gives you the inside scoop on this year’s likely Heisman candidates.

1. Matt Barkley, Southern Cal Trojans

#7 QB, Sr., 6’2”, 230 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Hawaii

Barkley lived up to the preseason hype in Saturday’s steamrolling of Hawaii. He recorded a QB rating of 178.6, and he used his weapons very well, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. Performances like these against tune-up opponents early in the season will help Barkley separate himself from the field early on in the Heisman running.

Next Game: September 8, Barkley leads the Trojans against the hapless Syracuse Orange in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 3:30 p.m. Don’t expect Barkley to break a sweat against a team that just gave up 42 points in a loss to Northwestern.

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia Mountaineers

#12 QB, Sr., 6’3”, 214 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Marshall

Smith was incredible Saturday, playing a near-perfect game in a 69-34 win over state-rival Marshall. Smith proved to be one of the best talents in all of college football, setting the record at West Virginia for career completions and touchdown passes last week. It’ll be interesting to watch Smith on a larger scale against tougher opponents, where hopefully he’ll get to play more than three quarters.

Next Game: The Mountaineers face FCS program James Madison in two weeks on September 15th at 4:30 p.m., in a game where Smith will have no problem filling up the stat sheets once again.

3. Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers

#28 RB, Sr., 5’11”, 212 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Northern Iowa

Ball had a solid game coming out of the backfield as Wisconsin survived a late comeback attempt by Northern Iowa, eventually winning 26-21. It was just a routine day at the office for Ball. Expect to see much of the same in the next few weeks leading up to #17 Nebraska on September 29.

Next Game: September 8th, Ball and Wisconsin travel to Oregon State to take on the Beavers at 4:00 p.m. This should be no problem for Ball and company, as Oregon State was 0-4 against top 25 teams in 2011.

4. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks

#21 RB, Jr., 6’0”, 218 lbs.

Week 1 Win at Vanderbilt

Lattimore didn’t look quite as good as Gamecock fans would have liked against Vanderbilt last Thursday, but he had a solid performance on a national scale in the first game of the 2012 season. The junior back made a huge impact on the game, scoring both of Carolina’s only touchdowns against Vanderbilt. Expect his Heisman candidacy to take off as both his health and Spurrier’s offense improve.

Next Game: Lattimore continues his return to college football as the Gameocks host East Carolina at 12:21 this Saturday.

5. Landry Jones, Oklahoma Sooners

#12 QB, Sr., 6’4”, 218 lbs.

Week 1 Win at UTEP

Jones and company had a very shaky start at UTEP Saturday, going into halftime tied 7-7. However, the Sooners got it together in time to pull away, winning the game 24-7, though not in impressive fashion. For Jones to seriously contend for this year’s award, he’ll need to improve his stat totals against pushover teams like UTEP.

Next Game: Saturday, September 8th, Jones and the Sooners will have one more tune-up game before moving into their Big 12 schedule, hosting Florida A&M at 7:00 p.m.

6. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas Razorbacks

#8 QB, Sr., 6’3”, 220 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Jacksonville State

Other than losing a fumble, Tyler Wilson played a great game for Arkansas in their 49-24 blowout of Jacksonville State in Fayetteville. Wilson’s efficiency throwing the ball down field was key to the Razorback’s success, and he’ll be relied upon more in the upcoming weeks as Knile Davis recovers from a broken left ankle and the running game gets back on track.

Next Game: Expect another great performance statistically from Wilson as Arkansas takes on Louisiana Monroe at 7:00 p.m. next Saturday.

7. Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines

#16 QB, Sr., 6’0”, 197 lbs.

Week 1 Loss vs. Alabama

Robinson got manhandled in Michigan’s 41-14 loss to Alabama in Arlington Saturday. He did all he could to create a spark for the Wolverine offense, but was eventually smothered by an extremely talented Alabama defense that kept him contained for the entire game. Given a chance to shock the nation on a national scale, both Robinson and Michigan were stuffed. While a win or even a great individual performance against the Tide would have given Robinson considerable Heisman attention, a loss in this fashion hurts Robinson’s chances, though the season is still young.

Next Game: September 8th, Michigan and Robinson look to rebound with a strong performance against Air Force at 3:30 p.m.

8. De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon Ducks

#6 RB, So., 5’9”, 179 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Arkansas State

Thomas had another impressive game in Oregon’s 57-34 romp of Arkansas State. While he didn’t see the ball as much as fans across the nation would have liked,  Thomas managed to score 3 touchdowns on 7 touches. In fact, the only thing more ridiculous than Oregon’s jerseys was the rate at which Oregon put points on the board in the first half Saturday. If Thomas can get more touches in the Ducks’ upcoming games, his place on the Heisman watch will be firmly secured.

Next Game: Saturday, September 8th, Thomas will try to repeat his success against Fresno State in Eugene, Oregon at 6:30 p.m.

9. Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State Spartans

#24 RB, Jr., 6’2”, 244 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Boise State

If’s Bell’s performance against Boise State last Friday wasn’t Heisman-worthy, I don’t know what is. Not only did Bell score both of Michigan State’s only touchdowns, he outgained the entire Boise State team. Without notable speed or quickness, Bell gets the job done by gritting it out, breaking tackles, and outworking the opposing defense. He’ll be at the heart of any success Michigan State enjoys this season.

Next Game: Saturday, September 8^th at 3:30, Bell and the Spartans travel to Central Michigan to take on the Chippewas.

10. James Franklin, Missouri Tigers

#1 QB, Jr., 6’2”, 225 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Southeastern Louisiana

Franklin recorded a solid performance in his first game of the season, but didn’t separate himself as a true Heisman contender. Though his stats were a little stunted by the fact that he wasn’t the focal point Missouri’s offense in the 62-10 demolition of Southeastern Louisiana, Franklin managed the game well and still has the skill and spark needed to create Heisman buzz.

Next Game: Missouri and Franklin will face the ultimate test next week when they host #6 Georgia in their first ever SEC Game. Franklin could create a lot of national attention in Columbia, Missouri if the Tigers can pull a huge upset.

11. Marqise Lee, Southern Cal Trojans

#9 WR, So., 6’1″, 195 lbs.

Week 1 Win vs. Hawaii.

Lee had an incredible game in the Trojan’s 49-10 rout of Hawaii on Saturday. On the game’s first play, he caught a 5 yard pass from Matt Barkley, made a move, and sprinted the remaining 70 yards for the score, setting the tone for an outstanding game and an exciting season. Hoping to follow up on his 73-catch, 1,143-yard freshman campaign, this stellar sophomore will be fun to watch, though he will compete with teammate Robert Woods for the lion’s share of the catches in USC’s offense.

Next Game: Lee should have an impressive outing next week when the Trojans take on Syracuse. This will be a game to watch if only to see how easily Lee blows by his defender on the way to end zone in MetLife Stadium.

 12. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina Gamecocks

#7 DE, So., 6’6”, 256 lbs.

Week 1 Win at Vanderbilt

No touchdowns last week for Clowney, but the sophomore defensive end’s performance against Vanderbilt and was nothing short of impressive. He was in the backfield on several plays, anchoring a defensive front seven that held the Commodores to 62 yards on 36 carries.

Next Game: Saturday, September 8th, Clowney turns his attention to East Carolina and new starting quarterback Rio Johnson as South Carolina hosts the Pirates in Columbia.