MaxwellPundit -- Week 5

What a weekend it was in college football with some big names having some big days while others had a day off. The top of the ballot stays the same while the middle and bottom saw a bit more volatility. Before I get to the ballot, can I just say that outside of "CORSO, SHOW US YOUR TATES," Iowa had about the worst freaking Gameday signs I've ever seen. "TROY SMITH LIKES UNICORNS"? "SWEATER VESTS SUCK"? You've got to be kidding me, Iowa City, now we know why Gameday never goes there.

Now for the ballot...

1- Troy Smith, Quarterback/Holder of Jules Winnfield's Wallet, The Ohio State University

In two nationally televised night road games against top 15 teams, Troy Smith has gone 33-for-51 passing for 455 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Seriously. If he's not number one on your ballot after seeing that, then you are just being a freaking hater at this point.
(Last Week: 1)

2- Adrian Peterson, Tailback/Enemy of the 4-4 Defense, Oklahoma University

AP doesn't even need to play to stay #2 on my ballot. He's been eating defensive gameplans for lunch all season long and is clearly the most talented running back in the country. Not only that, his stats are amazing despite the fact that OU's passing game is an albatross against quality opponents. If he can lead the Sooners over the Longhorns on Saturday, then Troy may have some company at the top.
(Last Week: 2)

3- Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver/Bill Brasky, Georgia Tech

How frustrating must #21 be to defensive coordinators in the ACC? You center your entire gameplan all week around "Make Reggie Ball beat us," which is a fairly logical defensive strategy, and then all Ball has to do is put the pigskin within 5 yards of CJ and there will be a big play. Also, he torched a stingy VT defense for 6 catches, 115 yards and a pair of TD's in Blacksburg.
(Last Week: NR)

4- Steve Slaton, Tailback/Dolly Madison Spokesman, West Virginia University

Slaton drops a spot because of the continuing dominance of Johnson combined with a bye for WVU. He'll need to continue to put up dazzling numbers to keep pace with the guys ahead of him and to fend off the guys behind him, though barring injury the combination of Pat White and the Big East will keep Slaton in the conversation all year long.
(Last Week: 3)

5- Garrett Wolfe, Tailback/Mighty Mouse, Northern Illinois University

31 carries, 353 yards, 3 TDs. 353 FREAKING YARDS IN ONE GAME. It's time we start mentioning the Talented Mr. Wolfe more consistently in the MaxwellPundit balloting and not just because he's the cute little MAC-Back Who Could. He has 127 carries for 1181 yards to go with 12 catches for 159 yards and 12 total TDs... in five games. With no foreseeable resistance from the Mid-American Conference, you can reserve a spot in the top five all season long for Wolfe on this ballot.
(Last Week: NR)


Dropped Out: Brady Quinn (4), James Laurinaitis (5)

Also considered: James Laurinaitis, Brady Quinn, Mario Manningham