1. Geno Smith QB West Virginia

West Virginia senior quarterback Geno Smith has ascended to the top spot with his stellar performance against Maryland last week. Smith linked up with his favorite target Tavon Austin on three touchdown strikes and finished the contest with 338 passing yards.

Thanks to a stifling defensive performance by the Stanford Cardinal against USC, there is a new leader in CLA’s weekly Heisman pecking order. Early season favorite Matt Barkley struggled against the Cardinal, failing to throw a touchdown and throwing interceptions on consecutive passes in the Trojans 21-14 loss in Palo Alto.

1. DeAnthony Thomas RB Oregon

1. Matt Barkley QB USC

USC quarterback Matt Barkley tossed six touchdowns to lead the Trojans over Syracuse 42-29 at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. As expected, Barkley continues to utilize playmaking wideouts Marquis Lee and Robert Woods.

A tough road game at Stanford this week should present a challenge to the Trojans. Expect Barkley to rise to the challenge and have another Heisman worthy performance.

2. DeAnthony Thomas RB Oregon

Today's game came up to the fourth quarter. Coach told us to come into this game and compete. I feel like we didn't come into the game as ready and focused as the other games we've played. We underestimated them from the beginning of the first half.

The score settled at a 20 to 20 tie as we went to the locker room. In the locker room we talked about making up for the mistakes we made in the first half and that when we come out the second half we have to focus and play "Serra Football."

So, this week we take on Mira Costa High School. We've all been working hard this week, mostly on the mental stuff. Last week was a big win for us versus a power house like Long Beach Poly and the week before that when we took on Notre Dame. Two games isn't what we want. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there expecting us to win CIF and State this year, but as of right now we are taking each game one at a time.

Practice has been good this week. We have all mentally and physically prepared ourselves for this challenge versus Notre Dame this week. Last year we lost our first opening game versus Notre Dame since 2007 and then we lost in the 1st Round of playoffs to Culver City. It hurt our team badly. We want to seek redemption and put everything we have on the field tomorrow.

As class of 2012 high school recruits are opening fall practices for their respective colleges, a new class of prospects enter the recruiting ranks. This year's class of high school seniors now look to make their mark on the HS football recruiting landscape. Practices have begun for the 2012 HS football season and teams are eagerly awaiting week one matchups.