Forget Ohio State.
The real game Penn State fans should be looking forward to is next week. In nine days, Heisman Trophy favorite Drew Brees and the Purdue offensive arsenal will blow into Happy Valley.
As for this week's game, there will be no Heisman watch in Columbus. Certainly not from Penn State's side, and the Buckeyes are just not the same without the likes of Eddie George, Joe Germaine or Andy Katzenmoyer.
Anyway, on to the watch.
Rod Rutherford, Pittsburgh QB
You read that right.
Rutherford is the No. 5 quarterback on the Heisman watch after his impressive performance against Penn State last Saturday in the Panthers 12-0 victory.
And Rutherford barely played.
But the third-down, option signal caller made his presence felt in his impersonation as the Steel City's second coming of Kordell Stewart.
But Rutherford is more than Slash, he is more of a slasher when he ran over, around and through the Nittany Lions' defense on the game's lone touchdown (a 62-yard catch and run).
The redshirt freshman also rushed six times for 32 yards, garnering several first downs from the quarterback position.
Eric Crouch, Nebraska QB
The top quarterback on the nation's top team has been making a strong case for college football's most coveted trophy.
Crouch stands at No. 4 after resting last week.
He needed it after the Cornhuskers held on to defeat Notre Dame, 27-24, two weeks ago. Crouch was named Player of the Game after he rushed for 80 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the game-winning score.
But it is still no contest for Brees, who could not overcome the team with one of the most storied traditions in college football.
Iowa will be Crouch's next victim this week.
Chris Weinke, Florida State QB
Weinke might be the senior member in pursuit of the Heisman, but the Seminoles signal caller has shown he has the ability to mentor the Seminoles to a second straight national championship.
Weinke made a case for both last weekend in Florida State's convincing 63-14 victory against North Carolina.
The Heisman and another national championship could be realistic possibilities even without Peter Warrick in the fold.
Weinke threw four touchdown passes on a day when he went 12 for 22 for 262 yards.
If Weinke continues this pace, Bobby Bowden might get to Bear Bryant's record before Joe Paterno.
Florida State hosts Louisville this week.
Michael Vick, Virginia Tech QB
Is there anything this guy can't do?
Vick pulled an Ortege Jenkins-like move in the Hokies' dominating 49-0 win against lowly Rutgers this week when he flipped over Scarlet Knights defenders on a touchdown run.
But coach Frank Beamer flipped on Vick after the play.
The sensational sophomore pulled the same trick last year against James Madison, but suffered a contusion and missed the following game.
Vick will not play this week anyway. Virginia Tech has a bye.
This week's Big East Player of the Week — an honor Vick has claimed six times — will VICKtimize Temple Oct. 7 for the Hokies' Homecoming contest.
Last Saturday, he completed 10 of 18 pass attempts for 120 yards.
Vick also had one touchdown pass before he took a seat on the sideline in the third quarter after engineering the Hokies' sixth scoring drive on the day.
Vick's quarterback ranking rises to 163.200, thanks to his 26 completed passes on 44 attempts.
He has four touchdown passes through the air and has three rushing touchdowns this season.
Drew Brees, Purdue QB
Although the Boilermakers suffered a 23-21 shortcoming against Notre Dame, that will not stop Brees from being No. 1 in this poll.
Besides, Brees had tough competition as Notre Dame put its faith in Gary Godsey and Purdue succumbed against the Fighting Irish on a last-second field goal by Nick Setta.
Brees, though, completed 13 of 22 attempts for 221 yards and had a pair of touchdown tosses.
Brees is No. 4 in the nation in total offense (345.3 yards per game), No. 6 in passing, tied for ninth in points responsible for (18.0 points per game) and 13th in pass efficiency (153.9 rating).
Before Brees unleashes his vengeance against Penn State next week, he will face Minnesota Saturday.
