Heisman Trophy race in college football has Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy at the front
It's almost certain that Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams won't take home another Heisman Trophy after the Trojans' losses to Notre Dame and Utah. Another Heisman contender, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, is also out of the mix after suffering an ankle injury that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the regular season.
A week ago, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was the trendy Heisman favorite following the Huskies' win against Oregon. But Penix then tossed two interceptions without a touchdown in an ugly win against Arizona State.
It just goes to show: There's plenty of time until December and plenty of names in the mix for the Heisman, so this race is set for a dramatic and possibly unexpected finish.
Even if Penix remains in the lead, he's being pushed by the some of the biggest stars on some of college football's best teams. With the second half of the year underway, here's who currently tops the Heisman list:
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Those two picks against Arizona State nearly doubled his season total heading into last weekend, while Penix failed to throw at least one touchdown for just the third time with the Huskies. While he remains the most productive passer in the country, the numbers have dipped somewhat since turning to the Pac-12. After throwing 12 touchdowns with one interception in non-conference action, Penix has eight scores and four interceptions in league play. But one of those games was a four-touchdown performance against Bo Nix and Oregon that helps makes his Heisman case.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
The serious allegations of rule breaking related to sign stealing stands to embroil Michigan's entire season and could lead the Wolverines' success to be viewed with some degree of skepticism. As the team's most productive player and one of the top quarterbacks in program history, will McCarthy's play come under similar scrutiny? He's built on a strong first year as the starter with six multiple-touchdown games and 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in Big Ten play despite playing into the fourth quarter just once this season. The last Michigan quarterback to finish in the top five of the Heisman voting was current coach Jim Harbaugh in 1986.
WEEKEND FORECAST: Expert picks for every Top 25 game in Week 9
BOWL PROJECTIONS:Is chaos ahead for the unbeatens in playoff race?
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison continues to carry Ohio State's offense and build a case for being seen as one of the top receiver prospects in recent history. He was at his best in a crucial win against Penn State, pulling down 11 receptions for 162 yards and a score for his fifth 100-yard performance in the past six games. Harrison ranks eighth nationally in yards (766) and leads all receivers with at least 40 catches in yards per grab (18.2). Overall, he's accounted for more than a third of Ohio State's total receiving yards and almost half of the team's total receiving touchdowns.
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Two early losses have moved LSU to the backburner of the College Football Playoff conversation. But when it comes to the Heisman, Daniels' numbers have been simply too good to ignore: third nationally in passing yards per game (321.6), seventh in completion percentage (73.1), first in yards per attempt (11.5), first in efficiency rating (204.3) and first in passing touchdowns (25), along with 521 rushing yards and five scores on 5.2 yards per carry. In the face of a terribly disappointing defense, Daniels has carried LSU into second place in the SEC West heading into next month's huge matchup with Alabama.
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
Florida State's Jordan Travis and Oregon's Bo Nix could land in this spot, and Alabama's Jalen Milroe could play his way into the top five should the Crimson Tide keep stacking wins. Gabriel gets the nod for his play in keeping Oklahoma unbeaten, most notably his 285 passing yards, 114 rushing yards and two scores in the rivalry win against Texas. Upcoming road games against Kansas and Oklahoma State could make or break Gabriel's Heisman candidacy.
