Heisman Watch (Week 1)

1.  Matt Barkley QB USC

Last Week:  23/38 372 yards 4 TDs vs Hawaii (49-10)  Next Week:  at Syracuse
Comments:  If the first play from scrimmage was any indication of how the season is going to go, then we might as well just give the award to Barkley.  On the first play Barkley hit WR Marqise Lee for a 75 yard TD pass.  He didn't stop there, throwing for 372 yards and 4 TDs.  It was a pretty easy day for the Trojan signal caller who racked up the yards with ease.  Things should continue to roll, next week the Trojans travel to Syracuse who just gave up 42 points to Northwestern.  So expect Barkley to have another huge game.

2.  Le'Veon Bell RB Michigan State

Last Week:  210 rushing yards 2 TDs, 55 yards receiving vs Boise State (17-13)  Next Week:  at Central Michigan

Comments:  A lot can be said about making a big impression the 1st Friday Night of the season.  Last year RG3 did it and it helped propel him to winning the Heisman Trophy.  Bell made his mark in Michigan State's victory over Boise.  Bell was dominant rushing for 210 yards and both Michigan State TDs.  And from the looks of it, the Spartans will need Bell to be a big part of their offense this year with all the struggles that QB Andrew Maxwell had.  Bell has all the momentum going, if he can sustain it, his chances of getting invited to New York are good.

3.  Geno Smith QB West Virginia

Last Week:  32/36 323 yards 4 TDs vs Marshall (69-34) Next Week:  vs James Madison
Comments:  Geno Smith had so much fun racking up the yards and points against Clemson last year in the Orange Bowl, that he decided to come out and do it against Marshall.  Smith was practically flawless.  Throwing for 323 yards and 4 TDs while completing 88% of his passes.  That's pretty remarkable.  Smith guided the offense to 69 points which set a West Virginia opening game record for most points scored.  Look for more records to fall in Morgantown where Smith has a coach in Dana Holgerson isn't afraid to throw the ball and isn't afraid to keep putting points on the board.  It could be special season for Smith.

4.  Taylor Martinez QB NebraskaLast Week:  26/34 354 5 TDs vs Southern Miss (49-20)  Next Week: at UCLA 

Comments:  The talk all off-season has been about the improved throwing mechanics of Taylor Martinez.  In their season opener against defending Conference USA champions Southern Miss Martinez showed everybody that he is a completely different passer.  His throws where a lot more accurate and he had a lot more zip on the ball.  That showed in him completing 76% of his passes and his 354 yards were a career high.  But what was the most impressive is how Martinez looked the healthiest he's looked since the beginning of his freshman year.  If he can continue this momentum the Huskers should be one of the favorites for the Big 10 Title and Martinez will be a Heisman Finalist.

5.  Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas
Last Week:  19/27 367 yards 3 TDs vs Jacksonville State (49-10)  Next Week:   vs Louisiana-Monroe
Comments:  Wilson picked up right where he left off last year.  Even without former head coach Bobby Petrino, the experienced Wilson was able to fling the ball all over the field and rack up yards against the FCS foe.  So much that his 367 yards set a record for most yards in a opening game.  Not too shabby for the senior.  If Wilson can keep up this pace the Razorbacks will be in the hunt for the SEC West crown and Wilson will be in the fore front of the Heisman talk.

Others to Watch

6.  Dennard Robinson QB Michigan
After all the pre-season hype, Robinson and the Wolverines failed to take advantage of the national stage.  Robinson had only 227 total yards and 1 TD in a disappointing game.  But what's worse is that Michigan was dominated and every body's lasting image is of Robinson throwing a ugly pick and hurting himself trying to make the tackle.  But the bright side is that the season is still very young and Robinson can still rehab his image.

7.  De'Anthony Thomas RB/WR Oregon
It wasn't a spectacular game for Thomas, but that's not to say it wasn't a productive one.  Thomas had a combined 119 yards and 3 TDs in their 57-34 win over Arkansas State.  It looks like Oregon is going to continue to use Thomas at both WR and RB which should only increase the amount of touches he gets.  Which should only give him more shots to make a big splash on the season.

8.  Logan Thomas QB Virginia Tech
It took overtime, but Logan Thomas and the Hokies were able get out of their game with Georgia Tech with a win.  Thomas finished with 230 yards passing 2 TDs and 40 yards rushing.  Those were super impressive numbers, but Thomas came up big when the team needed him to be.  It should get a lot easier for Thomas next week when they face off against FCS Austin Peay.

9.  Aaron Murray QB Georgia
Murray was solid by not over impressive in the Bulldogs in their 45-23 victory over Buffalo.  Murray threw for 3 TDs but only for 258 yards.  What makes it worse is that Georgia only threw it 26 times.  Things could change, but with a conservative offense it looks like Murray's big chance at winning the award will have to come from his team have a great season. 

10.  Monte Ball RB Wisconsin
Not the start Ball thought he would have.  Against FCS Northern Iowa the Heisman finalist got 120 yards and 1 TD, but it took 32 carries to do so.  Hopefully it's just first game jitters for this offense, because they'll be facing tougher defenses all season long.