Heisman Trophy 2012: Geno Smith's Big Week 5 for WVU Makes Him the Favorite

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith solidified himself as the legitimate Heisman Trophy favorite in the Mountaineers' Week 5 70-63 win over Baylor. The senior quarterback put up mind-numbing numbers against the Bears. He completed 45 of 51 passes for 656 yards and eight touchdowns, including 288 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone.

The completions, passing yards and touchdowns are all single-game school records.

Huge, video-game-like numbers are nothing new for Smith this year. Through only three games, he had thrown for 1072 yards and 12 touchdowns and even added one on the ground. Smith's numbers already had him in the Heisman conversation, but his games were against Marshall, James Madison and Maryland.

Smith's huge game in Week 5 was against No. 25 Baylor in the Mountaineers' first Big 12 Conference game.

Heading into the game against Baylor, Smith was ranked 14th in the nation in passing yards and tied for first with his 12 touchdowns. Smith had a quarterback rating of 191.2, good enough for second in the entire country.

If Smith can continue putting up monster numbers, he could run away with the award. Of course, that's easier said than done. Starting with Week 5 against Baylor, the Mountaineers play nothing but conference games in which they will face some tough Big 12 defenses.

Currently, there are four ranked teams remaining on the West Virginia schedule. Texas, Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma will all present tough tests for Smith and the Mountaineer offense.

Saturday, October 6 could go a long way toward determining if Smith will be at the top of the Heisman talk. The Mountaineers play their first Big 12 road game against Texas. The Longhorns' defense is currently ranked twenty-seventh in the nation in points allowed.

Smith needs to continue to perform against ranked opponents like he did in the Week 5 Baylor game. Though it's still early in the season, he seems to be on a fast track to the 2012 Heisman Trophy.