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

Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany wide receiver Steven Mitchell is one of the most talented athletes in the nation at his position. The USC commit does everything that you would want a wide receiver to do and he does it all well. Let’s take a quick look at Mitchell’s game and how he translates to the USC Trojans’ high-powered offense.

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."

There were plenty of big high school football games in Southern California Friday night but CLA had the privilege to bear witness to superstar Franklin wide receiver Joshua “Jay Tee” Taylor and his play-making ability.

After scoring four touchdowns last week, Taylor was primed for another big time performance against Jordan (Los Angeles). The visiting Jordan team was undermanned but that would not have made a difference as Jay Tee was clearly the best player on the grid iron.

Joshua "Jay Tee" Taylor is the West Coast's best kept secret. At 6'3" 175, Taylor is instant coffee. Put the Franklin High School senior at any skill position on the field and watch him dominate.

Over the summer, College Level Athletes had the chance to watch Jay Tee during the annual LA Watts Summer Games 7on7 HS football tournament, where he took home defensive MVP honors. Taylor also made several acrobatic catches and routinely plucked the ball out of the air with his hands.

Now that the first week of the 2012 college football season is in the books, the debate for the Heisman can take form. Preseason hopefuls like Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson struggled against defending national champion Alabama’s suffocating defense in a 41-14 rout at Cowboys Stadium. Other favorites performed as expected . Players stock will potentially rise and fall from week to week but there are five players CLA believes will lead the way as the race unfolds.

1. Matt Barkley (USC, QB)

This week we take on Lake Elsinore. We play on a Thursday due to their schedule, but either way it doesn't stop us at all from preparing for what they're bringing. We've studied the way they run their Wing T offense & watched carefully on each position that is critical to their type of offense.

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.

The first few weeks of the season have been great. My team is on a 2 game win streak and I'm leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. I'm also tied for receiving touchdowns. Arizona State, Colorado & Fresno State are a few of the schools that I have talked to so far. Hopefully one of them offers me by the end of the season.... Our week 3 matchup is vs Elsinore. They are a tough team, but I know we have the talent to beat them.