Every week, I hand out helmet stickers to the players who delivered the biggest performances in college football. Statistics matter, but so do the opponent, the moment and the impact on the outcome.
Here are this week’s recipients:
JEREMIAH SMITH — WR, OHIO STATE
This kid is simply different.
Smith caught passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns against an outstanding Iowa defense, setting Ohio State career records for receptions and receiving touchdowns in the process.
We are running out of ways to describe him. He isn’t merely the best receiver in college football. He may be the best overall player in the country.
ASHTON DANIELS — QB, FLORIDA STATE
Daniels accounted for 319 total yards and scored five rushing touchdowns in Florida State’s 38-7 destruction of Virginia.
Five rushing touchdowns by a quarterback is ridiculous. Daniels also broke Florida State’s single-game record while helping the Seminoles score 38 unanswered points.
That is one hell of a performance.
JAMAL ROBERTS — RB, MISSOURI
Roberts ran for 211 yards and three touchdowns as Missouri embarrassed No. 8 Florida, 45-17.
His 80-yard touchdown run put the finishing touches on the upset. Missouri needed a statement victory, and Roberts delivered it with power, vision and explosiveness.
AMARI ODOM — QB, SYRACUSE
In his first start, Odom completed 27 of 37 passes for 335 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for another score and converted the game-winning two-point attempt in overtime.
That is six total touchdowns and the winning conversion in your first start.
I don’t care that it came against UConn. That young man earned his sticker.
KEELON RUSSELL — QB, ALABAMA
Russell looked like a veteran weapon against a previously unbeaten Mississippi State team.
He completed 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. He was poised, decisive and dangerous from the opening possession.
The bigger the stage becomes, the more comfortable Russell appears.
CJ CARR — QB, NOTRE DAME
Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns in Notre Dame’s 37-26 victory over North Carolina. He also added a rushing touchdown.
North Carolina made the game uncomfortable, but Carr never appeared rattled. He answered every challenge and continued playing efficient, intelligent football.
DESEAN BISHOP — RB, TENNESSEE
Bishop carried the ball 34 times for 220 yards and three touchdowns as Tennessee came back to beat Auburn.
Thirty-four carries tells you everything about the trust Tennessee placed in him. Auburn knew he was getting the football and still couldn’t stop him.
That is grown-man football.
KENNY MINCHEY — QB, KENTUCKY
Kentucky trailed South Carolina 17-0 on the road, but Minchey never folded.
He completed 28 of 41 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He then led the Wildcats into the end zone in overtime before completing the game-winning two-point conversion.
Kentucky needed its quarterback to take control of the game. Minchey did exactly that.
KENNY DARBY — WR, KENTUCKY
The freshman gets a helmet sticker because this feature isn’t only about piling up enormous statistics. It is also about making important plays when your team desperately needs one.
Darby caught six passes for 51 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown that helped Kentucky erase South Carolina’s lead.
He worked underneath the coverage, gave Minchey a dependable target and played like the moment wasn’t too big for him. For a freshman receiver on the road in the SEC, that deserves recognition.
Remember the name Kenny Darby. We are going to be talking about him for a long time.
JACKSON ARNOLD — QB, UNLV
Arnold accounted for five touchdowns as UNLV defeated Cal, 39-31.
When Cal erased a 17-point deficit and took the lead, Arnold responded instead of allowing the game to slip away. He finished with 268 combined passing and rushing yards while producing three touchdowns through the air and two on the ground.
That is how a quarterback closes a football game.
JB’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JEREMIAH SMITH
Ashton Daniels scored five touchdowns. Amari Odom accounted for six. Jamal Roberts demolished Florida.
But producing 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Iowa—and rewriting the Ohio State record book in the process—puts Jeremiah Smith at the top of my list.
He gets the biggest helmet sticker of the weekend.
