Two weeks into the 2026 college football season, Darian Mensah is already separating himself from the pack in the Heisman Trophy race.
Mensah moved into the top spot after Week 1 and strengthened that grip on Thursday night, carving up Florida A&M in Miami’s 77-7 rout. He completed 14 of 15 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns before coming out of the game. Through two weeks, he has gone 41 of 45 for 653 yards and eight passing touchdowns.
That kind of start has made him the clear name to watch, but the chase is still crowded. Here’s where the latest BetMGM odds stand heading into Week 3.
Jeremiah Smith sits at No. 2 after delivering the kind of stat line that grabs attention even in a loss. Ohio State fell to Texas, but Smith caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. He was held out for the entire second half in Week 1, yet he still ranks fifth nationally with 315 receiving yards through two games.
Arch Manning is right behind him at No. 3 after helping Texas finish off its comeback against Ohio State. He had a rough first half, but he settled in and ended the night with 195 yards, a touchdown and an interception against a tough Buckeyes defense. His odds have now climbed past where they opened in the preseason.
Malachi Toney continues to rise at No. 4.
His Week 2 outing was another strong one, even with fewer targets and the starters pulled early. He still managed four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
CJ Carr checks in at No. 5 and bounced back after a small dip following Week 1. He threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns in Notre Dame’s blowout win over Rice.
Trinidad Chambliss is at No. 6 after an efficient day against Charlotte, going 23 of 26 through the air. He threw only two touchdowns, though, so his odds stayed where they were. He gets a chance for a bigger spotlight on Saturday against LSU and his former coach, Lane Kiffin.
Julian Sayin lands at No. 7 after Ohio State let a 20-point fourth-quarter lead slip against Texas. Sayin threw for 278 yards and a touchdown, but his first interception of the season came on a Hail Mary on the final play.
Jayden Maiava and Josh Hoover are tied at No. 8.
Maiava stayed steady after tossing five more touchdowns in USC’s win over Louisiana, though he did throw his first interception of the season. Hoover’s rise is a little different: he only attempted 11 passes in Indiana’s win over Howard, but he completed six for 145 yards and four touchdowns, and he has yet to throw a pick this season.
Dante Moore and Sam Leavitt are tied at No. 10 after both took a hit in Week 2. Moore completed fewer than 50% of his throws and was sacked four times in Oklahoma State’s upset of Oregon. Leavitt threw three first-half interceptions before LSU pulled away from Louisiana Tech.
At No. 12, a trio of quarterbacks rounds out the board: Gunner Stockton, Keelon Russell and Kamario Taylor. Stockton is back after throwing five touchdowns in a rout of Western Kentucky.
Russell held his spot after a shaky first half before Alabama pulled away from Kentucky. Taylor enters the mix after a breakout showing in Mississippi State’s dominant win at Minnesota, where he threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 86 more.
In Other News...
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Ohio States loss to Texas did more than dent the Buckeyes early-season momentum. It also spilled a little of the programs internal frustration into public view, as three freshmen used social media to air dissatisfaction with their roles and limited opportunities, a jarring development for a team that is still trying to settle itself after an important defeat.
Jerquaden Guilford, Brock Boyd and Bey were among the players whose posts drew attention, with language that pointed to a desire for more involvement. For a staff already sorting through a disappointing result, it adds a fresh layer of concern about buy-in and roster harmony, even if there has been no official response yet. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Just Added New Controversy To Texas' Win Over Ohio State
Texas win over No. 1 Ohio State already had enough postgame baggage after Steve Sarkisian abruptly cut off ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during a brief on-field exchange. The moment itself was awkward enough, but it quickly became a bigger talking point once a fake AI-generated video of Sarkisian slapping Rowe started making the rounds online, giving the upset a strange and unnecessary afterlife beyond the scoreboard.
Arch Manning then poured fuel on the reaction when he weighed in on the clip during a Monday exchange, describing it as hilarious. The comment drew immediate criticism on social media, with some users calling for apologies and public statements from both Manning and Sarkisian, turning a celebratory Texas moment into another reminder of how fast a viral postgame clip can shift the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Needs More Than A Win Against Kent State
Ohio State gets a chance to reset at home this week against Kent State, with the Buckeyes coming off the Week 2 loss to Texas and looking for a cleaner showing on both sides of the ball. The matchup will be carried on FOX and streaming platforms, and on paper it gives Ohio State a comfortable spot to get back on track while working through some of the issues that showed up last time out.
The bigger value here may be less about the result and more about what the Buckeyes can take from it, especially on offense. A lopsided win would be welcome, but Ohio State needs a performance that helps settle the unit, builds confidence after the setback and gives the coaches a better feel for where this team is headed as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]