2012 Heisman Watch: Week 8

3. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State (7-0)

Miller had a spectacular game in Ohio State’s shootout victory in Bloomington, Indiana last weekend. The Buckeyes played terrible defense and needed to recover an onside kick late in the game to put away the Hoosiers, but the victory was in no small part due to the incredible talent of the team’s sophomore quarterback. Torching Indiana’s defense brings Miller’s total yards on the year to 2,183, well past his mark for the entire 2011 season.

Last Game Stats: 52-49 Win vs. Indiana

Next Game: Miller will face off against an upset-minded Purdue team Saturday at 12 p.m. Expect the Boilermakers to lose their third straight Big Ten game, as Miller will be too much for them to handle.

2. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State (6-0)

Klein will probably have the ugliest highlight reel of anyone invited to the Heisman Trophy Presentation in December. Nonetheless, the senior quarterback gets the job done. Klein scored each of Kansas State’s three touchdowns on the ground, leading the Wildcats to a narrow victory over an upset-minded Iowa State team. Because of his playing style, Klein’s Heisman candidacy depends heavily on the success of his team, so he’ll need to keep them on the right track for the second half of the season.

Last Game Stats: 27-21 Win @ Iowa State

Next Game: Klein and Kansas State travel to Morgantown, West Va., to face the #13 Mountaineers at 7 p.m. Saturday. Facing one of the worst defenses in all of college football, Klein should play well in leading the Wildcats to a crucial road victory.

1. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (5-1)

A loss to Texas Tech doesn’t ruin Geno Smith’s Heisman chances by any means, but barely completing half of his passes and only managing one touchdown in a 49-14 blowout loss to the Red Raiders doesn’t bode well for WVU’s quarterback. Smith appeared more like a freshman quarterback than a seasoned shot-caller against Tech Saturday, looking a little squeamish in the pocket and spraying errant passes all over the field. Smith won’t lose his position as the favorite because of this loss, but he did allow the rest of the Heisman field to bridge the immense gap had built over the course of the season. More than anything, Smith’s performance Saturday makes this an actual race again.

Last Game Stats: 49-14 Loss @ Texas Tech

Next Game: Smith will have his work cut out for him next week against #4 Kansas State and fellow Heisman hopeful Collin Klein. There could very well be a changing of the guard next week, as the Wildcat defense will give Klein a chance to challenge for Smith’s position as the front-runner.