The Geno Smith Experience

Can Geno Smith be running away with the Heisman Trophy already after only five games?

By Ron Schiltz

The West Virginia Mountaineers have always boasted a high-powered offense.  Now in the Big 12, the Mountaineers wanted to show that they can hang with the big boys.  No other player wanted this for his team more than West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith.

(AP Photo)

To this point Smith has 24 touchdowns, zero interceptions, almost 2,000 yards, while completing 81 percent of his passes. Those are video game numbers.  And the craziest part about those stats is – it’s only been five games.

Geno Smith, senior, has been a three-year starter at West Virginia. He came into this season as an outside possibility for the Heisman, especially with all the hype around USC quarterback, Matt Barkley.  But now, five weeks into the season, Smith is leading the race to the coveted trophy by a wide margin.  After USC lost to Stanford, Barkley fell out of favor with many experts, and where Barkley disappointed, Smith produced.

It’s hard not to notice the offense that Smith is operating.  The team’s lowest point total was 31 against Maryland, but they have also scored 69 and 70 points this season against Marshall and #25 Baylor respectively.  In the game against Baylor Smith broke school records with 45 completions, 656 yards, and eight touchdowns.

ESPN Big 12 Blogger, David Ubben described watching Smith play as “The Geno Smith Experience.”  There’s no other way to put it.  Watching a single player take over the game every time he steps on the field is simply that, An Experience.