AP Photo/Charlie NeibergallHere’s our Maxwell Pundit vote numero cinco:

1.) Troy Smith (Ohio State)
Has to move back up, between Adrian’s week off and Ohio State’s romp at Iowa. Anyone questioning if the Buckeyes were for real after Penn State (ourselves included), got a pretty resounding answer on Saturday.

2.) Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
Had a week off to get ready for this week’s Red River Showdown with Texas, where he could cement his legacy (and place atop our ratings) with a big day against the ‘Horns.

3.) John David Booty (USC)
Continuing to play well in close games (10 TDs, 2 INTs), even if they are coming against opponents who aren’t the Trojans’ toughest. As good as he’s looked, still needs a Leinartesque big game against Washington or Arizona State to avoid the charge of guys like Calvin Johnson and Jonathan Stewart on our Top 5.

4.) Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Just looked too good against Virginia Tech to be kept out of our Top 5 any longer (especially with Slaton inactive).

5.) Mario Manningham (Michigan)
Uh-oh, went from 3 TDs vs. Notre Dame to 2 vs. Wisconsin, and now 1 vs. Minnesota. Could he finally be slowing down?

Other Guys We Talked About, But Eventually Talked Ourselves Out Of
Steve Slaton (West Virginia)
Jonathan Stewart (Oregon)
Chris Leak (Florida)
James Laurinitis (Ohio State)
Rey Maualuga (USC)
Lamarr Woodley (Michigan)
Garrett Wolfe (Northern Illinois)
Kenny Irons (Auburn)
JaMarcus Russell (LSU)
Marshawn Lynch (Cal)
Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)