Heisman race remains wide open

Yes, it's only mid-September, meaning it's still way too early to even begin debating about who should win this year's Heisman Trophy.

That's not necessarily because it's still early in this 2001 college football season. It's due more to the fact that there really isn't a true favorite out there who has become a household name yet much like Chris Weinke, Ron Dayne and Ricky Williams have done in years past.

But that all could change in the upcoming weeks as conference play begins and heated rivals square off against one another.

So keep in mind that while this may be the Top 5 for this week, it is certainly subject to change.

Ken Dorsey, quarterback, Miami — There must be something about playing teams from Mid-Atlantic states for the 'Canes junior signal caller. Or maybe he just enjoys tearing up suspect defenses.

Whatever the case may be, Dorsey followed up his outstanding performance against Penn State (20 of 27, 344 yards, three TDs) by completing 14 of 25 passes for 315 yards and two scores in Miami's 61-0 victory against Rutgers.

We should see what Dorsey is really made of this week as the No. 13 Washington Huskies pull their sleds into the Orange Bowl.

David Carr, quarterback, Fresno St. — Anyone who thought the Bulldogs weren't for real before this past Saturday became believers after watching Fresno's 32-20 comeback victory against a stunned Wisconsin team. And the cog that kept the Bulldogs' wheels turning during the silencing of Camp Randall Stadium was Carr.

The senior connected on 22 of 38 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Carr also scampered in for a two-point conversion after his third-quarter scoring toss to Rodney Wright to give Fresno State the lead for good.

Look for Carr's numbers to get more gaudy as the Bulldogs round out their early non-conference slate with Utah State this weekend before opening up WAC play next Saturday. Carr's last chance to impress the voters against formidable competition will come on Oct. 13, as Fresno State will travel to Colorado State.

Joey Harrington, quarterback, Oregon — For the second straight week, Oregon literally looked like they had ducks running the ball out of the backfield. The much-heralded combination of Maurice Morris and Onterrio Smith combined for just 104 yards on 23 carries against a Utah defense that has seen better days.

So, like a good leader should, Harrington stepped to the forefront to lead the Quack Attack by completing 17 of 27 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the Ducks' 24-10 victory over the Utes.

Harrington will need to keep on a roll as Oregon will begin conference play this week against what appears to be a revived USC team that, by all accounts, could've — and maybe should've — beaten No. 12 Kansas State last Saturday.

Rex Grossman, quarterback, Florida — Are you starting to sense a trend here? Because of a lack of breakout games by other position players, Grossman is the fourth signal caller to headline our list.

But it isn't like Steve Spurrier's signal caller doesn't deserve to be on this list. For the second straight week, Grossman proved that, so far, the Gators' boss has chosen the right quarterback to run the Fun-And-Gun offense as the sophomore hit on 23 of 34 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in Florida's 55-6 thumping of Louisiana-Monroe.

But like Harrington and Dorsey, Grossman will be put to the test this weekend as the second-ranked Gators and No. 8 Tennessee will battle in their traditional "Third Saturday in September" war at The Swamp.

DeShaun Foster, running back, UCLA — Finally. Someone other than a quarterback.

One week after cracking the century mark against Alabama, Foster ran roughshod over Kansas (28 carries for 179 yards and one touchdown) in the Bruins' 41-17 win. Foster also showed some versatility as he grabbed three passes for an additional 41 yards.

Foster is also another candidate who will show his true colors the next few weekends as three of the Bruins' next four opponents are ranked.