December 23, 2024

Heisman Trophy power rankings: Pac-12 quarterbacks lead the pack

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The 2023 Heisman Trophy race is coming down the home stretch. 

After 10 weeks of the college football regular season, a handful of players have made their case for the most prestigious individual award in sports. 

The 2023 Heisman Trophy race is coming down the home stretch. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

But no single player has been able to separate himself from the pack. 

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With just three weeks left in the regular season, there is limited time for players to make their case.

Let’s take a look at the players with the best odds to take home the 2023 Heisman Trophy heading into Week 11, according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Michael Penix Jr., Washington – +150

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues to lead the Heisman hopefuls after defeating USC in Week 10.

In a 52-42 victory over the Trojans, Penix Jr. completed 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, adding one score on the ground. The Huskies dominated USC on the ground, rushing for 316 yards.

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Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies is shown during the game against the USC Trojans on November 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

With Washington undefeated and sitting at No. 5 in the College Football Rankings, Penix Jr. is steering a team that has a real shot at the CFP. 

He leads the nation in passing yards (3,201) and is third in passing touchdowns (26).

Bo Nix, Oregon – +180

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has climbed up the Heisman conversation. 

The veteran QB is completing 78.1% of his passes (tops in the nation) and has thrown for 25 touchdowns against just two picks.

After a last-second loss to Washington in Week 7, the Ducks have ripped off three straight wins with a massive matchup with USC in Week 11.

“We responded well. We showed back up at practice the next week, and we took it personal,” Nix said on the rankings release show, referring to the loss to Washington, per ESPN. “The continued repetition that we’ve had, and the growth that we’ve shown, has put us in a good spot.”

Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix throws the ball against the California Golden Bears on November 4, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After USC, Oregon faces Arizona State before taking on No. 12 Oregon State in Eugene. 

Nix and Penix Jr. are on a collision course for a rematch in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

“It’s the year of the Pac-12 where we’ve seen a lot of offense. Really two impressive quarterbacks that will come out to where they’re probably going to play in the Pac-12 title game for a rematch,” Caesars Sportsbook college football lead Joey Feazel told Fox News Digital.

“If everything goes to plan, there’s nothing catastrophic that happens the next three weeks, I think we’re going to see the Heisman Trophy candidate crowned essentially after the Pac-12 title game.”

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan – +800

The Wolverines continue to roll. 

Despite accusations of sign-stealing swirling around the program with rumors of potential discipline from the Big Ten on the horizon, Michigan has continued to chug along.

J.J. McCarthy, who was tied with Penix Jr. at the top of the Heisman race heading into Week 9, threw for 355 yards in a 41-13 romp over Purdue in Week 10.

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J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines is seen warming up for the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium on November 4, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

McCarthy with have ample opportunity to make his case for the Heisman as the Wolverines travel to Happy Valley to take on No. 10 Penn State in Week 11 before facing Michigan on Nov. 25.

“He certainly has an opportunity this week,” Feazel said. “There’s been a lot of talk of ‘Michigan hasn’t played anybody. It’s a weak schedule. He hasn’t proved anything.’ If he goes out and he has an impressive win against Penn State this weekend, certainly he’s in the mix.”

Jordan Travis, Florida State – +900

The Seminoles remain in the fourth spot in the College Football Playoff rankings with a remaining schedule that will give Florida State a real opportunity to go undefeated.

Against Pittsburgh, Jordan Travis threw for a season-high 360 yards without the services of star wide receiver Keon Coleman, who was out with an injury.

Jordan Travis of the Florida State Seminoles gestures to the crowd after rushing for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 4, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

On the year, Travis has thrown for 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions, adding seven scores on the ground.  

Carson Beck, Georgia – +1400

Georgia continues to roll on, and junior QB Carson Beck continues to play well. 

Against Missouri on Saturday, Beck threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs won their 26th consecutive game. 

The Georgia offense is sixth in the country in yards per game (493) and is averaging 39.3 points per game. 

Carson Beck of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up prior to the game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 4, 2023, in Athens, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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Beck will be in primetime on Saturday as Georgia welcomes No. 9 Ole Miss to Sanford Stadium for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State – +1600

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. may have only caught four passes in Week 10 against Rutgers, but half of them were for touchdowns.

Harrison is arguably the best player in college football, but he has one thing standing in his way.

He’s not a quarterback.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes jumps over defensive back Robert Longerbeam of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to make a touchdown catch during the fourth quarter at SHI Stadium on November 4, 2023, in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

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Only three true wide receivers have won the Heisman, with Alabama’s DeVonta Smith the last non-QB to win the award in 2021. 

Harrison Jr. has 52 catches for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. 

Others in the mix:

Jayden Daniels, LSU – +3500

Jalen Milroe, Alabama – +4000

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State – +5000

Drake Maye, North Carolina – +7500

Kyle McCord, Ohio State – +10000

Joe Morgan is a Sports Reporter for Fox News.

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