Following Washington's win over Oregon, Michael Penix Jr. Heisman season is currently in full effect. Well, at least according to the odds board.
Penix enters Week 8 as a -150 favorite after defeating the Ducks in a top-10 rivalry clash last Saturday. But there's still plenty of season left, as Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel, North Carolina's Drake Maye, Georgia's Carson Beck and many more have opportunities ahead to raise their stock.
With that said, let's dive into where each of the top Heisman Trophy candidates stand entering Week 8 of the college football season.
QB Michael Penix Jr.
Odds: -150 · Remaining SOS: 23rd
The Washington signal-caller is the highest-graded passer, per PFF, leading the Huskies to an undefeated record. With four touchdowns over Oregon, Penix is the name to beat in the Heisman market.
A 20:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio plays nicely with the second-highest number of passing yards.
The schedule is favorable for more Heisman moments, as Washington is projected as a small favorite on the road against USC and Oregon State. A victory in the Pac-12 Championship game is sure to lock up the award.
While Penix has the inside track to hoist the most prestigious individual award in college football come December, the better future ticket is Washington +140 to win the Pac-12.
QB Dillon Gabriel
Odds: +800 · Remaining SOS: 45th
Oklahoma will be a participant in the Big 12 Championship Game, giving the Sooners a solid chance to make the College Football Playoff barring two losses.
The question with Gabriel is the lack of touchdowns in the Red River Showdown, along with a poor remaining strength of schedule. Gabriel was responsible for two scores against Texas — one through the air and another on the ground.
If his performance in Red River wasn't considered impressive to voters, a near-even big-time throw to turnover-worthy play rate is not adding bullet points to the resume.
Ultimately, the remaining schedule is full of former teams from the American, not leaving enough big-game moments for the Heisman voters.
QB JJ McCarthy
Odds: +1000 · Remaining SOS: 3rd
Bowling Green is the only team to pick off McCarthy, who logged three interceptions in Week 3. The rest of the numbers are superb, as McCarthy has thrown for over 1,500 yards on just 158 dropbacks.
A trio of fumbles hurt the resume, but many games remain on the schedule in which Michigan is the feature team. The marquee games come as early as this week, as the Wolverines will travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State in an in-state rivalry.
Penn State and Ohio State await in the month of November before the Big Ten Championship game. If there's a prime contender to unseat Penix, it's McCarthy with a buyer-friendly price.
QB Jordan Travis
Odds: +1200 · Remaining SOS: 53rd
There's plenty going against Travis, who ranks 45th in passing yards this season.
The two biggest wins on the season for Florida State came against LSU and Clemson — two teams in free fall after hefty preseason projections.
The best teams on the remaining schedule for Florida State include Miami and Duke. Without enough Heisman moments in the past and no big game on the horizon, Travis’ underwhelming numbers will not win the award.
QB Jayden Daniels
Odds: +1500 · Remaining SOS: 33rd
Caleb Williams and Lamar Jackson broke the mold in winning the Heisman without a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Thanks to a poor defense, Daniels has been putting up plenty of offensive firepower with the third-most passing yards in the country. An increase in average depth of target by two yards has helped generate 22 passing touchdowns along with four rushing scores.
Daniels has plenty of chances to make an impression on voters, as he needs a victory over Alabama to eventually face Georgia in the SEC Championship.
The Tigers must win out to give Daniels a shot at going to New York for the Heisman ceremony, making LSU +750 to win the SEC a smarter investment.
QB Drake Maye
Odds: +1600 · Remaining SOS: 50th
While his passing yards and turnover-worthy play rate are nearly on par with Penix, Maye's lack of touchdowns could hold him back.
However, North Carolina is in the driver's seat to reach the ACC Championship with an undefeated record. Games against Duke and Clemson give Maye the chance to lock up a spot in Charlotte, where a potential victory over Florida State would send the sophomore to New York.
A North Carolina +300 ticket to win the ACC must cash for the Tar Heels quarterback to win the Heisman.
QB Carson Beck
Odds: +4000 · Remaining SOS: 19th
Sure, there are other candidates with a shorter price, such as Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, but Heisman candidates with a loss this season must win out.
The Georgia quarterback has quietly put together a rank of fourth in total passing yards, but a lack of touchdowns could keep the junior out of the race. Beck has a 12:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and the fifth-highest passing grade, per PFF.
The loss of Brock Bowers could potentially kick up more deep threats in the Georgia offense. Beck has completed 13-of-33 passes beyond 20 yards, completing 10 big-time throws while adding just a single turnover-worthy play.
If Georgia has an appetite for explosives to wideouts Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Rara Thomas, Beck has an outside chance of winning the award.
