Smith's stock keeps rising

Voters take note. Utah coach Urban Meyer is endorsing a candidate — for the Heisman Trophy.

"On strict ability, performance and statistics, Alex Smith is the best quarterback in college football," said Meyer. "What does that mean with the Heisman? I have no idea. I've never been in this situation before. Hopefully, that great performance is rewarded.

"More importantly, and I've got to emphasize this, it's all a failure if we don't perform this week against Colorado State," he added. "That's the fine line that we're treading right now."

Though the Utes (8-0) remained sixth in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings, Smith's stock is rising. On Monday, he was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season and seventh time in his career.

Smith, who is 17-1 as Utah's starter, threw a career-high five touchdown passes in Saturday's 51-28 victory at San Diego State.

"He's the best quarterback I've ever been around," said Meyer. "Maybe other people have other opinions, but I've coached and been around some tremendous players and he's the best. And that performance Saturday as his best."

Smith, who threw for 298 yards and rushed for 45 against the Aztecs, has his accomplishments chronicled on a full page of Utah's weekly press release.

This week it includes a statistical comparison between the Utah junior and Heisman candidates Jason White and Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush of USC, Jason Campbell of Auburn and Cedric Benson of Texas.

The results were lopsided in Smith's favor, especially among the quarterbacks in the group. He ranked first in pass efficiency (173.9), passing yards (1,905), passing touchdowns (20), total touchdowns (28), total offense (2,289) and longest run (70 yards). He ranks second in rushing touchdowns (eight) and longest pass (78 yards).

Meyer, admittedly, isn't comfortable promoting one of his players. It's something he vows to get better at, though, as long as it doesn't interfere with his team's preparation.

"(Alex) is a great football player," he said. "He's a great young man and deserves that."

Smith said Heisman Trophy and BCS talk is "still pretty surreal." Even so, he and the Utes are getting comfortable with the increased media attention.