MaxwellPundit: Week Ten

Before I get all snarky and faux-clever, I do want to send out our show's thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the late Bryan Pata.

No good segue here, so I'll just move on.

Honestly, couldn't we just have one week in this season where the Player of the Year chase made a lick of sense? Then again, what fun would that be? This week was crazy with frontrunners laying eggs, committing inexcusable turnovers and getting hurt and newcomers bursting onto the scene out of the conference least-expected. This is getting good, guys.

Let's head out to the polls...

1- Troy Smith, Quarterback, The Ohio State University

I'll be the first to admit that Troy was nothing special on Saturday against an Illini team playing about 50 feet over its collective head. In all honesty he's staying here in my ballot because noone else deserves to move up to the top spot just yet. Can redeem himself by leading a slaughter of the Wildcats in Evanston.
(Last Week- 1)

2- Brady Quinn, Quarterback, University of Notre Dame

Steady, steady, steady. A.J. Hawk's brother-in-law dropped another nasty stat line on the Irish's so-called competition--this time UNC--to bolster his still-quiet Maxwell candidacy. Honestly, though, isn't this what we expected in the preseason: Troy Smith and Brady Quinn battling it out for Player of the Year?
(Last Week- 3)

3- Steve Slaton, Tailback, West Virginia University

I know what you're thinking: "230 total yards and a TD in his team's biggest game of the year and he DROPS??" You're damn right he does, because his two fumbles were so crippling to the 'Neers, effectively turning the game for UL and costing WVU their shot at the national title. Players of the Year simply cannot do that.
(Last Week- 2)

4- Brian Brohm, Quarterback, University of Louisville

We've known all season long that Brian Brohm is an exceptionally talented quarterback and if you know me, you know I think Brohm could easily be the top pick of the NFL draft in April... and on Thursday, with his hand back at 100%, he fully asserted himself in the Player of the Year chase by dropping 354 yards and a TD on national television in his team's most important game of the year. If he does it again against Rutgers, look for Brohm to leave his Big East cohorts in the dust next week.
(Last Week- NR)

5- Ray Rice, Tailback, Rutgers University

This Maxwell race is so wonky that Rice moves back into my Top 5 after a bye week that followed a ho-hum performance against UConn. Let's be real: R-Squared is the main reason the Scarlet Knights are one of the nation's four unbeaten teams heading into week 11. Combine that with the struggles of CJ and the injuries to Ainge and Manningham and Rice gets the nod at number five.
(Last Week- NR)

Dropped out- Erik Ainge (4), Calvin Johnson (5)

***

Also Considered- Calvin Johnson (GT), Robert Meachem (UT), Lamarr Woodley (UM), Erik Ainge (UT), James Laurinaitis (OSU), Mario Manningham (UM), Ted Ginn Jr. (OSU), Colt Brennan (UH), Marshawn Lynch (Cal)

No Longer Under Consideration- Garrett Wolfe (NIU), Chris Leak (UF)

Absolutely Not Considered- Mike Hart (UM), Chad Henne (UM)

Considered for Comedic Effect- Joe Paterno's Pure Badassery (PSU), J Leman's Missing First Name (UIUC)