Taking stock of the field:
RISING
* Matt Ryan, Sr., Boston College, QB
The Eagles have quietly worked their way up the rankings while Ryan's Heisman campaign has gone from virtual unknown to a favorite. The biggest knock on the Eagles is they haven't played quality opponents. The crucial game will be Oct. 25 against Virginia Tech.
* Chase Daniel, Jr., Missouri, QB
Daniel has followed a strong sophomore year with a better junior season and has led his team to an undefeated mark. He ranks third in total offense and 17th in passing efficiency. He can earn more votes if he leads his team to a win over Oklahoma on Saturday.
* Andre Woodson, Sr., Kentucky, QB
The Wildcats' MVP in 2006 is giving himself a national name by helping his team remain in the hunt of the SEC race. He didn't play well in the loss to South Carolina, but can continue to stay a voters' favorite with big games against LSU and Florida in the next two weeks.
* Mike Hart, Sr., Michigan, RB
Hart slipped out of many Heisman lists when Michigan started 0-2, but he is creeping back up thanks to a 162.7 yards a game average, second best in the country.
STEADY
* Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas, RB
McFadden ranks third nationally, averaging 155.8 yards a game. His two best games were in losses - 195 yards rushing against Alabama, 173 yards against Kentucky.
* Colt Brennan, Sr., Hawaii, QB
Brennan's clinging to this category by ranking fourth in total offense (377.8) and sixth in passing efficiency (168.2). Injuries have slowed him and he threw five interceptions against Idaho.
* Tim Tebow, So., Florida, QB
Tebow ranks third in passing efficiency and eighth in total offense. Now that the Gators have two losses, he needs to show he can make them winners again.
DOWN
* DeSean Jackson, Jr., Cal, WR
Jackson's just 47th in receptions per game and 94th in receiving yards per game.
* John David Booty, Sr., USC, QB
Booty's only 39th in passing efficiency and 51st in total offense.
* Brian Brohm, Sr., Louisville, QB
Brohm is second in total offense and eighth in passing efficiency, but his chances have dimmed as the Cardinals have slipped out of the rankings.
* Chad Henne, Sr., Michigan, QB
Injuries and Michigan's losses have all but wiped out his Heisman hopes.
* Pat White, Jr., QB, and Steve Slaton, Jr., RB, West Virginia
White has a career-best 163.49 rating and Slaton is averaging 5.6 yards a carry, but the two were outplayed in the loss to South Florida.
VOTE FOR A DEFENSIVE GUY
The award is supposed to go to the best player in college football, yet many times that is defined as the best quarterback or running back. We'd love it if a defensive guy could break that stranglehold, something no defender has done since Michigan's Charles Woodson won in 1997 as a DB.
This year's best chance: LSU's Glenn Dorsey. The 6-foot-2, 303-pound senior was a first-team All-America selection last year and is widely recognized as the best defender on the nation's best defense.
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* LYA
WODRASKA
can be reached at lwodraska @sltrib.com. To write a letter about this or any sports topic, send an e-mail to sportseditor @sltrib.com.
BYU at UNLV, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., mtn. v SDSU at Utah, Saturday, 1 p.m., no TV v Weber St. at N. Colorado, Saturday, 12:05 p.m. v SUU at Youngstown St., Saturday, 2 p.m.
