What Iowa Means To Troy Smith

The Heisman is all about exposure and name recognition.

One of the reasons that Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn is a leading contender for the Heisman is that he is perhaps the most well-known player in college football.

Another well-known name is Adrian Peterson. To many, it seems like he has been around forever.

Chris Leak was touted as the No. 1 quarterback coming out of high school and he is in his fourth year starting for a high-profile SEC program.

In comparison to these three, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is a bit of a mystery man to those who follow college football.

Put these four players in a lineup and Smith would be the last to be recognized.

Part of the reason for this is that Smith really didn't come into his own until about midway through last season. He wasn't a huge recruit out of high school and his progress over the past four years has been steady rather than spectacular.

There's no doubt that Smith is beginning to make a name for himself in Heisman circles. He has been outstanding in big wins over Notre Dame last year and Texas this year and, as the quarterback on the No. 1 team, he gets a lot of attention.

The problem for Heisman voters is that just as they are beginning to get to know Smith, he's about go away.

Many voters tuned in to watch Smith play Texas and his impressive performance vaulted him into serious Heisman consideration. But he followed that game up with a lackluster effort against Penn State.

Now, Iowa looms on the schedule. It's a big game that will get a lot of notice.

But after that game, the bulk of Heisman voters won't be tuning in until November 18, when the Buckeyes take on Michigan.

That means that Saturday is Smith's last chance for quite a while to leave an impression.

If the Buckeyes get past Iowa, they'll follow with six games in a row where they will be at least three-touchdown favorites. Those are the kind of games that Ohio State fans will be tuning in to see, not Heisman voters.

So, this Iowa game is huge not only for Ohio State's national title hopes, but for Smith's Heisman aspirations.

In order to hold off Peterson, Quinn and Leak, this is the game where Smith needs to make a Heisman statement. He has to go out and throw for 300 yards and several touchdowns and make some dazzling plays with his legs.

If he does that, he'll keep pace in the race for the most prestigious award in sports.

If not, he could fall by the wayside as names like Peterson, Quinn and Leak pass him by.