Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
Running Back, Junior
He hasn’t done anything to change my mind. I still think he’s the best player in the country. He’s piling up the yards and has five scores already, but my concern is the work load OU is throwing at him – he’s had 96 touches in three games. Only four others have at least 80 touches.

Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Running Back, Senior
He’s the nation’s leading all-purpose runner thus far. I understand his competition is not earth shattering, but 285 total yards against No. 1 Ohio State isn’t bad…it’s actually quite good. You gotta count him in if he keeps adding to his touchdown total, currently standing at 5.

Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Running Back, Sophomore
This kid is a bull. He’s ripping off carries to the tune of 8.11 yards. Consistent second and twos? That’s quite a weapon for West Virginia.

Troy Smith, Ohio State
Quarterback, Senior
The best player on the nation’s best team is fitting the bill. Seven passing touchdowns, zero interceptions and the nation’s third best QB rating – oh, one of his wins was in Texas. Almost forgot that.

Chris Leak, Florida
Quarterback, Senior
In addition to throwing the nicest ball I’ve ever seen, Leak has led the Gators to three wins as the nation’s top passer. He’s topping everyone in passing touchdowns (10), has thrown for 799 yards at a 65.5 completion percentage and amassed the country’s best passer rating – 177.5. I remember when he came out of Independence High in Charlotte with the college football universe in his palms. It’s been quite the ride for Leak (who’s had his share of critics for not living up to expectations), but better late than never.

Guys who are making a stink:

Keenan Burton, Kentucky
Wide Receiver, Junior
In three games Burton has had 18 touches (12 catches, 6 returns) for 446 yards. That’s 24.8 yards per touch. Call me crazy, but I think UK needs up his touches per game. Assuming the Wildcats started from their one, they’d score every fourth time he got a touch, right?

Chase Holbrook, New Mexico State
Quarterback, Sophomore
He’s the only passer in the country to eclipse 1,000 yards so far. His total? 1,200 yards. He has nine touchdowns to just two picks. If his arm doesn’t fall off, he’s going to put up some big boy numbers.

Defensive bruiser:

H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
Linebacker, Senior
He’s everywhere averaging almost 14 tackles per game. He’s also picked off a pass, broken up a few more, and made his way into the backfield a couple of times. Pittsburgh is 2-1 largely in part to the Plantation, Fl. native.