After another week with very few surprises, this should be a week when the weak will be exposed.
Philip Rivers and North Carolina State will face off against Chris Gamble and the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
Miami quarterback Brock Berlin put himself on the Heisman map by leading the Hurricanes to a comeback win over Florida, but he didn't quite make the list, with teammate Kellen Winslow Jr. remaining on watch.
There was a Kansas State swap, with Ell Roberson injured and likely to miss two games replaced by running back Darren Sproles.
The other additions are Michigan running back Chris Perry, the nation's leading rusher, and Northern Illinois running back Michael Turner.
Front Runners:
Chris Perry
Senior running back, Michigan
Perry pushed himself into the Heisman watch when he remained the nation's leading rusher after another blowout win, this time against Houston. The Wolverines will finally face a good defense against Notre Dame this weekend. The Michigan star scored four touchdowns and is averaging an eye-opening 8.5 yards per carry this season. The only problem is they only have played Central Michigan and Houston. When the Wolverines' competition stiffens, his statistics will lower but he will remain effective.
Philip Rivers
Senior quarterback,North Carolina State
Despite a loss to Wake Forest, Rivers kept himself in the Heisman running with an impressive 433-yard and three-touchdown performance while completing 38-of-49 passes. He'll have a chance to redeem his team this week when they travel to Columbus for a showdown with Ohio State.
Chris Gamble
Junior cornerback/wide receiver, Ohio State
Gamble didn't have a big numbers week, but he saved the Buckeyes' winning streak. He only had one tackle, but he got an assist by tipping a San Diego State pass in the end zone, allowing fellow defensive back Will Allen to intercept the ball and return it 100 yards for a touchdown to put Ohio State ahead 10-7 in the team's three-point win over the Aztecs. The matchup against Rivers should be an interesting one.
Kellen Winslow Jr.
Junior tight end, Miami
Although he didn't score a touchdown and only had 35 yards on five catches, Winslow was still a major option in the Hurricanes' huge comeback win over the Florida Gators. Florida transfer Brock Berlin made several mistakes, including a fumble and key interception early, but his leadership in the comeback makes him a player to watch for Heisman consideration in later weeks. As long as the Hurricanes remain a championship contender, Winslow, who will leave for the NFL at the end of this season, will remain a top candidate.
Darren Sproles
Junior running back, Kansas State
With Roberson out of the picture, Sproles moves into the premier role in the Wildcats' offense. We'll just see if he can be as effective in his teammate's absence. Kansas State plays a weak UMass team this weekend, but the competition will stiffen when the team faces Mid-American Conference giant Marshall. The Wildcats just hope Roberson really is available when they travel to Austin on Oct. 4. Otherwise, they might get crushed. Sproles has three touchdowns and 325 yards rushing so far this season.
Dark Horse:
Michael Turner
Senior running back,Northern Illinois
After two touchdowns and 134 yards against Tennessee Tech in his encore performance, Turner warranted the darkhorse label. The Huskies running back also ran for 90 yards in his team's first game, an upset 20-13 overtime win over Maryland. The MAC favorite will have this weekend off but will return to play at Alabama on Sept. 20 in one of the toughest games remaining in their season.
