I know I’m a day late, and I apologize. But, as we all know, pimpin’ ain’t easy.
If the season ended today, here’s who I would invite to New York, in order this week:
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
Running back, Junior
So far, so good for AP. As OU moves into its Big 12 schedule, we’ll see how he responds, but if I had to guess, I say business as usual.
Last week: 27 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs against Middle Tennessee St.
This week: idle
Troy Smith, Ohio State
Quarterback, Senior
His numbers aren’t All-World or anything, but he’s played against four potential bowl teams so far and he’s only thrown two picks. It almost goes without saying that OSU is not No. 1 if Smith isn’t under center. Saturday is a game people will remember come December, so he better step it up if he wants the Trophy.
Last week: 12-22, 115 yards, 1 TD against Penn State
This week: at No. 13 Iowa
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Running back, Senior
I think it’s funny that some people don’t consider him a candidate when he’s the nation’s leading rusher breaking off an average of 207 yards per game. Enough said.
Last week: 22 carries, 198 yards, 4 TDs against Indiana State (the fighting Larry Birds)
This week: at Ball State
Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
Wide receiver, Junior
He was simply dominant against Virginia last Thursday. Tomorrow he gets the chance to torch Virginia Tech. If he does, that’s two-for-two on stepping up in huge games (think back to opening week versus Notre Dame). He’s gotta beef up the numbers for more serious consideration though.
Last week: 6 catches, 165 yards, 2 TDs versus Virginia
This week: at No. 11 Virginia Tech
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Quarterback, Senior
You can’t keep this guy off of the list after his gutsy performance against Michigan State. You can say the Spartans stopped blitzing, giving him more time, but he still picked them apart as well as any quarterback is capable of – he just needs to put it together on a more consistent basis.
Last week: 20-36, 319 yards, 5 TDs at Michigan State
This week: at Purdue
Making moves:
Ray Rice, Rutgers
Running back, Sophomore
All of the hype was around backfield mate Brandon Leonard coming into the season – they even had a Heisman banner in Times Square for him – but Rice is the man putting up for the Scarlet Knights. He’s the nation’s fourth leading rusher and has nine TDs.
Last week: 23 rushes, 105 yards, 3 TDs versus Howard
This week: tonight at South Florida
Defensive bruiser:
Alvin Bowen, Iowa State
Linebacker, Junior
Bowen’s notched 54 tackles in four games, what a ball hawk. He didn’t have his most stellar weekend against Texas with just six tackles, but totals of 20 and 15 against Toledo and Iowa make up for it. He also has two picks.
Last week: Six tackles versus Texas
This week: versus Northern Iowa