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A quarterback's performance is a function of many factors, not the least of which is the caliber of personnel around him. Keeping track of a quarterback's supporting cast is as essential to handicapping his week-to-week performance as knowledge of the opposing defense. Here are three signal-callers ready to have big second halves thanks to positive developments with their offensive teammates:

Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic: The leading passer in the Sun Belt by a huge margin each of the past two years, Smith is just starting to heat up this season. Howard Schnellenberger's FAU teams have become known for starting slowly, but Smith also has been hindered by injuries, illnesses and suspensions to his receiving corps. The Owls are just now getting some continuity in the unit, and last week's win over North Texas was the passing attack's best performance of the season. Look for Smith to continue putting up big numbers in conference play.

Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: Johnson was putting up outstanding numbers during the Aggies' 3-0 start against a cupcake schedule, but his performance has tailed off the past few weeks as the team has gotten into conference play. Johnson should expect a rebound soon, though, as his receiving corps is ready to blossom. Top receiver Jeff Fuller is returning from a monthlong stint on the injured list, and exciting freshman Uzoma Nwachukwu has emerged as a game-breaking deep threat. Also, the coaches have been getting multitalented QB/WR Ryan Tannehill more snaps at wideout, with good results.

Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State: The status of Dez Bryant's appeal is yet to be determined, but Hubert Anyiam has stepped up in his absence and the Cowboys are about to get star running back Kendall Hunter back. Also, the offensive line is improving each week. It took until Week 3 to get the lineup settled, but the Cowboys haven't allowed Robinson to be sacked since. Even if Bryant doesn't return, this offense is getting ready to play its best games of the season, but if he does, it could be a huge November for Robinson.

Cream of the Crop

Jahvid Best, RB, California: Best and the Bears had an open date after back-to-back embarrassing losses, and they answered the bell Saturday with a big road win at UCLA that featured a long highlight-reel run by the reigning all-Pac-10 tailback. Lowly Washington State won't slow the newfound momentum this week.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State: The nation's leading rusher has been unstoppable, averaging nearly 200 yards per game! New Mexico State is his next victim. The Aggies allowed Louisiana Tech to run for 315 yards last week.

Case Keenum, QB, Houston: The top college fantasy player and leader of the nation's most productive offense had a rare off week against Tulane, throwing for "only" 343 yards. He'll top 400 this week as the Cougars host a weary SMU defense that was run ragged by Navy in an overtime defeat last week.

Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse: The Big East's leading receiver, Williams has had the benefit of an open date to work on his timing with Orange triggerman Greg Paulus. A reeling Akron squad with a growing injury list is a great matchup for Cuse's offense.

Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State: The Mountain West's leading receiver could be in line for another big day against a Colorado State team that has struggled to defend the pass. The Aztecs' offense has been improving each week, and quarterback Ryan Lindley is coming off his best game of the season in a losing effort to BYU.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International: The Panthers don't have much of a running game, but even if they did, Hilton still would be the go-to guy against an Arkansas State team that stuffs the run but has major issues in the secondary. The speedy Hilton is the Sun Belt's leading receiver, and the Red Wolves just don't have corners who can keep up with him.

Levi Brown, QB, Troy: Brown is the leading passer in the Sun Belt, and although Rusty Smith probably will overtake him by season's end, Brown should hold the title for at least another week. His Trojans will roll up some big numbers against a North Texas secondary that was overmatched to begin with and is especially worn out after coming up short in a 44-40 thriller against Smith's Owls last week.

Thaddeus Lewis, QB, Duke: Lewis, the ACC's second-leading passer, has tossed 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions this season. On Saturday, he'll throw into a young Maryland secondary that has been hit hard by injuries.

Team defense, Ohio State: The Buckeyes' defense will have to carry the team while the offense finds an identity, but Jim Heacock's fine stop unit is up to the task. That's especially true against a struggling Minnesota attack that hasn't even managed 300 yards per game this season. The Gophers haven't moved the ball well on Ohio State in years and last week mustered just 138 yards and seven first downs at Penn State.

Opportunity Knocks

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada: The Wolf Pack's offense is rolling. After a slow start, the Pack have produced an amazing 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns the past three games, with Kaepernick accounting for about half those totals. Idaho has been the story of the WAC with a 6-1 start, but the Vandals don't have the defense to stop this train.

MiQuale Lewis, RB, Ball State: The defending MAC West champs haven't won a game this season, in large part because their totally rebuilt offensive line hasn't opened nearly the same number of holes for the reigning All-MAC tailback that last season's front five did. Lewis could have his best game of the season this week, though, as the Cardinals face Eastern Michigan. "Quale" will be the bell cow for a Ball State offense that's sporting a new quarterback in relief of injured starter Kelly Page, and the opposing Eagles have nothing less than the nation's worst rush defense.

Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi: Snead and the Rebels rebounded from the debacle against Alabama with a nice bounce-back win over UAB. He'll now get to throw into a tired Arkansas defense that's the worst in the SEC at defending the pass.

Keith Smith, WR, Purdue: Smith has been the go-to receiver for Joey Elliott and the Boilermakers' passing attack. He's now the second-leading receiver in the Big Ten, and this week draws the slumping Illini and their league-worst defense.

Team kicking, Ohio: Redshirt freshman Matt Weller is an All-MAC kicker in the making at Ohio. His team will move the ball freely against Kent, but with the Bobcats ranked 115th in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage, he'll still get his field goal chances.

On the Shelf

Steven Sheffield, QB, Texas Tech: Sheffield threw for seven scores against Kansas State in his first start after taking over for starter Taylor Potts. The latter suffered a concussion against New Mexico but is expected to be ready this week. That's a good thing for the Red Raiders, because now Sheffield has gone down with an ankle injury that will cost him a few weeks. Because it's uncertain Potts will play much, it's best to leave Tech quarterbacks alone this week.

Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple: The leading rusher in the MAC East and the focal point of the Owls' offense, Pierce is doubtful for this week's visit to Toledo thanks to a shoulder injury suffered against Army.

Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati: The Bearcats triggerman had surgery on his nonthrowing arm, and it appears he will miss at least the Louisville game.

Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan: The Broncos' top two receivers, Juan Nunez and Jordan White, are both doubtful for Saturday's game against Buffalo. Expect subpar numbers from Hiller as Western relies more on running back Brandon West and a favorable matchup with a porous Bulls run defense.

Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky: Locke posted his first 100-yard game of the season in the win at Auburn but may sit out this week's game against ULM to rest his surgically repaired knee.

Max Hall, QB, BYU: Not only will Hall face a TCU defense that sacked him seven times in last year's 32-7 rout, he'll also be throwing to a receiving corps that's not 100 percent. McKay Jacobson is questionable with an ankle injury, and O'Neill Chambers has missed practice with the flu this week. It's a good time to give Hall a week off.

Will Harris is a fantasy college football analyst for ESPN.com.