Jeremiah Smith is still sitting at the top of the 2026 Heisman race, but Ohio State’s bye week didn’t exactly clear the path for him. The Buckeyes’ star receiver heads into Week 9 as the BetMGM favorite at -105, yet the real question now is how his Heisman push holds up with a new quarterback situation suddenly in the mix.
Smith has stacked up a monster season already, with 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. He doesn’t lead the FBS in any of those categories, but he has still made a strong case as the most talented player in college football.
The challenge for Ohio State is that quarterback Julian Sayin is out for the foreseeable future with a shoulder injury. That leaves freshman Luke Fahey and former five-star prospect Tavien St.
Clair as the Buckeyes’ options under center for the rest of the season. How quickly one of them settles in could have a major impact on Smith’s production, especially with a difficult stretch still ahead.
There’s also rising pressure from Miami’s dynamic pair of Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney. After Miami’s dominant win over Pitt, both climbed into the center of the Heisman conversation.
Mensah threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns in Week 8, with three of those scores going to Toney. The wideout was unstoppable, finishing with 16 receptions for 194 yards.
That explosion sent Toney from a +2,200 longshot to +400, good for a top-three spot in the race.
Smith and Toney aren’t the only wideouts making noise, either. Oregon State true freshman Jesse Legree has been putting together huge performances for the Beavers and currently leads the FBS in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. If he keeps that pace, the Heisman conversation could get even more unusual.
That’s because wide receivers have rarely gotten this kind of spotlight in the award’s history. There have never been two wide receivers named Heisman finalists in the same year, and only 11 have even been invited to New York since 1982. Right now, though, three of the top five favorites are receivers, which gives this season a chance to break new ground.
Here’s how the top 10 looks heading into Week 9, according to BetMGM:
Jeremiah Smith (WR), Ohio State: -105
Darian Mensah (QB), Miami (FL): +300
Malachi Toney (WR), Miami (FL): +400
CJ Carr (QB), Notre Dame: +2000
Jesse Legree (WR), Oregon State: +3000
Trinidad Chambliss (QB), Ole Miss: +3500
Drew Mestemaker (QB), Oklahoma State: +6600
Gunner Stockton (QB), Georgia: +6600
Sam Leavitt (QB), LSU: +6600
Brayden Atkinson (QB), Oregon State: +10000
Smith still has the edge, but now he has to prove it with a new arm throwing to him. If he keeps producing the way he has all season, he’ll stay right in the middle of the Heisman chase.
In Other News...
Ohio State Just Got Troubling News Before USC's Passing Test
Ohio States defensive backfield took a hit this week as Jay Timmons was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for the matchup with USC. Timmons has been one of the Buckeyes more important playmakers on that side of the ball this season, and his availability matters even more with the Trojans bringing a passing game that will force Ohio State to be sharp on the back end.
If Timmons cannot go, the Buckeyes will have to lean on Jermaine Matthews Jr. and Cam Calhoun to help fill the gap. It is the kind of late-week development that can change how a defense approaches a game plan, especially against an opponent that can stress coverage in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Suddenly Has A Tavien St. Clair Question Fans Feared
Tavien St. Clair was supposed to be part of Ohio States future at quarterback, but the picture has changed quickly. With true freshman Luke Fahey stepping in for the injured Julian Sayin, St. Clair is now the backup, a surprising turn for a player who had once been viewed as the next man up in the room.
For the Buckeyes, the immediate concern is obvious: the depth chart has shifted, and the quarterback conversation has gotten a lot more complicated. Beyond the short term, St. Clairs place in the program is suddenly a storyline worth watching, with his next move and Ohio States long-term plans still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman Faces A Familiar Path Fans Have Seen Before
Anthony Thompsons first taste of college basketball has looked a lot like the learning curve Ohio State has seen before from talented freshmen. The highly rated newcomer has flashed the kind of potential that made him such a coveted addition, but through preseason action his statistical impact has been limited, and the early returns suggest he will need time to settle in against the speed and physicality of the next level.
Coaches and analysts around the program are drawing a familiar comparison to Malaki Branham, who also started slowly before growing into a key contributor later in the season. Thompsons ceiling is clear, but his aggressiveness and production have not fully shown up yet, leaving Ohio State in a patient waiting game as it looks for the freshman to follow a similar path. [Read more 🡒]