Heisman survey: Kenjon Barner makes major move forward
Some intrigue was introduced to the Heisman Trophy race this week, though it wasn't because of a bad performance by the current front-runner.
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is the leader in the USA TODAY Sports Media Group survey for a third consecutive week, picked first on 33 of 37 ballots submitted by affiliated writers and broadcasters with official Heisman votes.
| Rank | Player | 2012 statistics | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| 1 | CollinKlein, Kansas State | 1,875passing yards, 12 TDs 698 rushing yards, 17 TDs | 33 | 2 | 1 | 104 |
| 2 | MantiTe'o, Notre Dame | 87tackles, 5 interceptions | 13 | 9 | 35 | |
| 3 | Kenjon Barner, Oregon | 1,295 rushing yards, 19 TDs | 2 | 6 | 11 | 29 |
| 4 | AJ McCarron, Alabama | 1,849passing yards, 19 TDs | 1 | 7 | 8 | 25 |
| BraxtonMiller, Ohio State | 1,753passing yards, 14 TDs 1,166 rushing yards, 13 TDs | 9 | 7 | 25 | ||
| 6 | Tajh Boyd, Clemson | 2,680 passing yards, 25 TDs | 1 | 3 | ||
| 7 | Marqise Lee, USC | 1,286 receiving yards, 10 TDs | 1 | 1 |
But Klein's departure with an apparent injury early in the third quarter of the Wildcats' win against Oklahoma State Saturday might leave the door open for other contenders if he misses playing time.
K-State coach Bill Snyder is rarely forthcoming with injury information, so it might not be known until game time Saturday whether Klein will participate in the contest at TCU.
Meanwhile, the weekend's other results demonstrate how even in a narrowing field of candidates, a big move is still possible.
Oregon running back Kenjon Barner's five-touchdown night at Southern California vaulted him into third place in the survey, including two first-place votes, just behind Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. Barner was getting just a third-place vote for a single point a week ago.
A pair of QBs of undefeated squads, AJ McCarron of Alabama and Ohio State's Braxton Miller, are tied for fourth. McCarron was picked first on one ballot following his game-winning drive at LSU.
The only other players to get points this week were Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and USC receiver Marqise Lee.