After an eventful Week 8, there has been a significant shift in the Heisman Trophy race, with a new favorite emerging.
Following No. 2 Michigan’s dominant victory over Michigan State and No. 5 Washington’s close call against Arizona, Wolverines QB J.J. McCarthy has now taken the lead as the Heisman frontrunner at BetMGM, ahead of Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
This sudden change in odds comes after Penix’s poor performance in Washington’s win over Arizona State, where he committed four turnovers and the offense failed to score a touchdown until late in the game.
Currently, Penix’s odds to win the Heisman have dropped to +300, while McCarthy sits at +200. McCarthy’s rise to the top comes as Michigan continues to dominate its opponents, exemplified by their 49-0 victory over Michigan State.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
McCarthy performed exceptionally well in the game, throwing for 287 yards and four touchdowns before being benched. With Michigan’s offense firing on all cylinders, McCarthy has been efficient throughout the season, completing 132 of his 169 pass attempts for 1,799 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.
His average of 10.6 yards per pass attempt now surpasses Penix’s 10.0, placing him right behind No. 19 LSU QB Jayden Daniels (11.5), who has emerged as the third favorite for the Heisman at +600 after LSU’s dominating win over Army.
Daniels has been impressive, completing 73% of his passes for 2,573 yards and 25 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has also contributed 521 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Among quarterbacks, only Penix has thrown for more yards than Daniels, and the LSU QB also ranks fourth in rushing yards.
Other contenders in the Heisman race include Florida State’s Jordan Travis at +700 following FSU’s win over Duke, and Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel at +800 after Oklahoma narrowly defeated UCF. Although their statistics may not be as eye-catching as the top three favorites, both Travis and Gabriel are leading their undefeated teams in the top 10.
No player has odds better than +3000, with North Carolina QB Drake Maye’s odds dropping to +5000 after their surprising loss to Virginia in Week 8.
Post-Week 8 Heisman Trophy odds
-
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy (+200)
-
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (+300)
-
LSU QB Jayden Daniels (+600)
-
Florida State QB Jordan Travis (+700)
-
Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel (+800)
-
Oregon QB Bo Nix (+3000)
-
Georgia QB Carson Beck (+3000)
-
Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (+3000)
