Darian Mensah remains the betting favorite in the Heisman race, but Week 2 gave the field a little more shape. Miami’s quarterback is still out front, yet the gap is no longer the only thing worth watching. A freshman has entered the conversation, several challengers are pressing closer, and the quarterback-only feel of the award is starting to get a little murky with two non-quarterbacks sitting in the top five.
Mensah opened Week 3 as the clear choice for oddsmakers, even if his latest showcase came in only a half against a Miami opponent that, as the source put it, “didn't belong on the field with the Hurricanes.” Still, the numbers were strong: 14-for-15, 252 passing yards and three touchdowns. His odds moved from +600 to +480.
The biggest push behind him right now comes from Miami teammate Malachi Toney, who is suddenly right in the thick of it. Toney is now among the top five Heisman favorites at +1100, tied with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, and he continues to gain momentum in the betting market.
Toney caught four passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. He also remains the top name in the Rivals/On3 Heisman poll.
Jeremiah Smith may have delivered the best individual week of any contender. The Ohio State wide receiver posted eight catches for 164 yards and a touchdown at +700, and even in a loss, he looked like the best player on the field in a matchup between two top-five teams projected to reach the playoff.
That matters, because Smith’s path includes more chances to make that kind of statement. Ohio State still has Oregon, Indiana and USC ahead, with Iowa and Michigan also currently ranked.
That schedule edge is one place Smith has over Mensah and the rest of the field. In Columbus, the wideout still looks like the player driving the offense, while quarterback Julian Sayin appears to be slipping at +1600.
Elsewhere in the race, Arch Manning is at +750 after going 23-for-37 for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr checked in at +950 after a sharp outing: 16-for-20, 253 yards and four touchdowns. Chambliss matched Toney at +1100 after completing 23 of 26 passes for 225 yards and two scores.
There were also some notable moves in the other direction. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore sits at +5000 and will need a miracle to get back into the picture.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is at +2500 and still has chances to work his way upward. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt saw his odds tumble from +1500 to +3300 after throwing three interceptions against Louisiana Tech.
The dark horse board got a fresh shake-up, too. Taylor surged from +8000 to become a second-tier Heisman favorite, and he has a pair of important tests coming up with a road game against South Carolina and then a September 26 home date with Simmons and Missouri. Baugh’s odds improved a bit, though the source questioned why he is still behind Kewan Lacy at +12500, given Lacy’s slow start.
And then there’s Brandon, the true freshman who made the list as a new name to watch. He is going to have his highs and lows this season, but landing on the board at +8000 is a strong sign for Tennessee’s future.
In Other News...
Miami Heads Into Wake Forest With A Depth Problem Fans Feared
Miamis first ACC availability report for the Wake Forest game arrived with a familiar kind of concern for Mario Cristobals defense, as four Hurricanes were listed out because of injuries. Cornerbacks OJ Frederique Jr. and Xavier Lucas, defensive back JaBoree Antoine and tight end Luka Gilbert all landed on the report, leaving Miami to sort through its depth chart with a road trip looming and a few key spots suddenly thinner than expected.
Cristobal offered injury details and recovery timelines for the injured players, but the bigger immediate question is how Miami adjusts on the back end if it has to go without multiple defensive backs. Wake Forest, meanwhile, appears set to go with Gio Lopez, who is listed as probable and expected to start, so the Hurricanes are heading into the matchup knowing the opposing offense should have its quarterback situation settled while theirs carries a little more uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]
Kirk Herbstreit Said What Miami Fans Were Already Thinking
Miami fans did not need much convincing that a move away from Adidas would be welcomed, but Kirk Herbstreit went ahead and said the quiet part out loud. The ESPN analyst publicly reacted to Miamis reported $200 million deal with Nike, celebrating the switch in a way that matched the frustration plenty of Hurricanes supporters had already been feeling about the programs look on Saturdays.
Herbstreit had already made his feelings known about Miamis Adidas uniforms, and his latest reaction only added to the sense that the apparel change was overdue. With his platform on ESPN and College GameDay, his voice carries plenty of weight, and the enthusiasm around the new Nike era is now part of the broader buzz surrounding Miami as it keeps trying to sharpen its brand on and off the field. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Fans Just Got An Early Look At A Challenging 2027 ACC Slate
The Atlantic Coast Conference has already given Miami fans a glimpse at what the 2027 football season could look like, and the early returns suggest a demanding league slate. The Hurricanes schedule includes matchups with Cal, Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, a group that should keep the conversation around the program centered on depth, travel and how well Mario Cristobals team handles the grind of ACC play.
One date stands out right away: Wake Forest is set for Friday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, giving Miami another primetime spot on a night stage. Cristobal has already talked about the teams preparation and practice schedule, a reminder that even with the calendar still well ahead, the Hurricanes are thinking about how to manage the work required for a schedule that does not look forgiving from the start. [Read more 🡒]