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Ohio State's Smith strongarms way to USA TODAY Player of the Week award
Enlarge By Ron Schwane, Reuters
Troy Smith found plenty of holes in the Michigan defense and led Ohio State to the national title game.
Each week during the season, readers can select their pick for USA TODAY's Player of the Week. Choices will be made available on Sunday night. The fan vote, open through noon ET on Tuesday, will comprise one-third of the award with one vote each also going to college football editor Erick Smith and Gannett columnist Mike Lopresti. USA TODAY will name its winner Tuesday.
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith tossed four touchdowns against No. 2 Michigan to earn USA TODAY's Player of the Week award. The senior completed 29 of 41 passes for a season-high 316 yards as the top-ranked Buckeyes secured as pot in the national title game by beating the Wolverines 42-39. Smith was the unanimous selection of the fall balloting, Gannett News Service columnist Mike Lopresti and college football editor Erick Smith.
THIS WEEK'S WINNER
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Troy Smith? The Ohio State quarterback capped his Heisman Trophy candidacy against No. 2 Michigan, throwing for 316 yards, four touchdowns and an interception during the No. 1 Buckeyes' 42-39 win at Ohio Stadium.
THIS WEEK'S OTHER NOMINEES
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John Beck? Brigham Young's passer spread the ball out for 464 yards and four scoring strikes to help the No. 24 Cougars clinch the Mountain West Conference title at New Mexico's expense 42-17.
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Ryan Chappell? North Dakota's running back scampered for 235 yards and five touchdowns off of 16 carries in the Fighting Sioux's 42-0 knockdown of Winona State in a D-II playoff.
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Jolonn Dunbar? The Boston College linebacker bashed the Terrapins, returning two fumbles for touchdowns of 14 yards and 38 yards in the first quarter of the No. 20 Eagles' 38-16 victory over No. 21 Maryland. Dunbar also led the team with 14 total tackles.
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Steve Slaton? West Virginia's running back dazzled Pittsburgh by amassing 345 yards of offense and four touchdowns in the Mountaineers' 45-27 win over the Panthers in the Backyard Brawl.
FIVE WHO MISSED THE CUT
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Pat White? West Virginia's multitalented quarterback went 11-of-16 for 204 yards and two touchdowns while keeping the ball 22 times for 220 yards and two more scores in the Mountaineers' victory over Pitt.
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Tim Tebow? Florida's freshman quarterback threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns and ran in for two more scores in No. 3 Gators' 62-0 rout of Western Carolina.
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Mike Hart? Michigan's running back churned out 142 yards and three touchdowns in the Wolverines' loss to Ohio State.
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Keenan Burton? The Kentucky receiver broke a school mark by having his fourth straight game with multiple touchdowns in the Wildcats' 42-40 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Burton caught nine balls for 115 yards and three scores.
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Blake Mitchell? The South Carolina quarterback threw for a career-high 388 yards and four touchdowns to help the Gamecocks down Middle Tennessee 52-7.