Week Nine Heisman Watch: Collin Klein Taking Over, Geno Smith Drops

October 20, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein (7) leaps over West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph (bottom) on his way to scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

With every passing week in college football, I become more and more intrigued by the quarterback battle for the Heisman Trophy in the Big 12. After a huge win over West Virginia, quarterback Collin Klein has also taken over our top spot on the Heisman watch but he’s followed close behind by some other worthy candidates. Here’s this week’s Heisman poll:

1. Collin Klein, Quarterback, Kansas State

Klein is having a dominant season and right now in ESPN’s experts poll, he has received all 15 first place votes. In a win against West Virginia, Klein completed over 90 percent of his passes and tossed three touchdowns and ran for another four. On the season, he has 10 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns, but more importantly Kansas State is third in the BCS polls.

2. Geno Smith, Quarterback, West Virginia

The former number one this season has put up great numbers, but he’s fallen off the map a bit in the last two weeks. Still, this season he has 26 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions, and he’s completed nearly 75 percent of his passes. He is still in line to be a high pick in the NFL draft, but he needs some big performances to reclaim the top of the Heisman race.

3. Manti Te’o, Linebacker, Notre Dame

Te’o has been an incredible leader this season for the Notre Dame defense. Before Notre Dame’s biggest game of the year against Oklahoma, Te’o has totaled 69 tackles and four interceptions, making big play after big play. He has been awesome all season long, and deserves to be the lone defender on this list.

Just Missed

4. Kenjon Barner

5. Matt Barkley