Geno Smith [QB-West Virginia] Smith still must do it against a team that can put up a fight, but right now he’s putting up early season RGIII numbers. Through two games he has the same number of incomplete passes, nine, as touchdown passes.

De’Anthony Thomas [RB/WR-Oregon] Most of America has not seen him yet this season, but he has touched the ball 24 times this season, gained 382 total yards and scored 7 touchdowns.

Matt Barkley [QB-USC] He’s not out of the race, but he has sullied his narrative and used up his margin for error and he will have to work for it. The Stanford game memory will fade. He’ll still put up strong numbers. He needs to assassinate a couple second-tier Pac 12 teams and beat Oregon.

Jonathan Franklin [RB-UCLA] He slowed down a little bit in Saturday’s Houston blowout, though 29 touches for 168 yards is nothing to dismiss. His candidacy rests on maintaining production and on UCLA making a strong run in the Pac 12. They may be favored in every game through Nov. 17 vs. USC.

Braxton Miller [QB-Ohio State] He’s the perfect quarterback for Urban Meyer’s offense. He’s coming along as a passer and has put up nearly 400 yards on the ground through three games. Urban Meyer may be selling him short. The worry with him is whether he has enough around him and whether he can sustain this workload through Big Ten play. He’s potentially a favorite heading into 2013 or 2014, but 2012 may be premature.

[Photo via Presswire]