Jeremiah Smith remains the front-runner for the 2026 Heisman Trophy, but a setback out of his control has created a theoretical twist.
During a dramatic win over Indiana, Ohio State saw quarterback Julian Sayin exit with a shoulder injury. He's expected to miss several weeks, handing the keys to the OSU offense to true freshman Luke Fahey.
It's only reasonable to wonder how it might affect the Heisman race.
Throw in the sweeping impact of an upset-riddled Week 7. There's a much different feel to the chasing group as well.
While the latest FanDuel odds are listed, the rankings are more subjective as a snapshot of this moment in the season.
Week 7 Heisman Odds
1 of 8
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (-115)
- Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (+400)
- Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss (+600)
- Jesse Legree, WR, Oregon State (+1500)
- CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (+1600)
- Malachi Toney, WR, Miami (+1800)
- Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU (+2200)
- Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia (+6000)
- Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (+8000)
- Conner Weigman, QB, Houston (+10000)
- Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana (+10000)
- Jayden Maiava, QB, USC (+10000)
Odds via FanDuel.
On the Radar
2 of 8
Conner Weigman, QB, Houston: Weigman racked up 395 total yards and five touchdowns in a valuable win over Oklahoma State. He's at exactly 2,000 offensive yards and responsible for 26 scores at Houston, which is 6-1 and set to play 10th-ranked Utah in a critical Big 12 matchup this weekend.
Kenny Minchey, QB, Kentucky: Although his numbers aren't quite as impressive, Minchey has led Kentucky to a surprising 6-1 start. Still, he's thrown for 1,552 yards with 13 touchdowns to a lone interception. The program's surge is likely to continue as it takes on a 3-4 Vanderbilt next.
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State: Despite the tight loss at Houston, Mestemaker hit 300 passing yards for the fifth consecutive game. His margin for error is thinning with OSU at 4-2, but Mestemaker's productionā2,082 yards and 18 touchdownsāis keeping him on the fringe of the discussion. Oklahoma State hosts a 2-4 Colorado team in Week 8.
Devon Dampier, QB, Utah: Dampier just navigated a shaky trip to that Colorado squad, throwing for 278 yards and three touchdowns but tossing a pair of interceptions as well. Utah survived and enters a difficult second half of the campaign, starting with a visit from Weigman and Houston.
Gio Lopez, QB, Wake Forest: A newcomer to the watch, Lopez has passed for 1,947 yards with 17 scores to one interception while rushing for 253 yards and six touchdowns. Wake Forest is also 6-1, having fallen only to top-ranked Miami. Following an open weekend, the spotlight will be a little brighter on Lopez.
Next Players Up
3 of 8
Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU: In the upset of Notre Dame, Bachmeier landed his marquee performance. He threw for 224 yards, rushed for 45 yards and caught a 15-yard touchdown, totaling four scores to lead BYU to 6-0. Although his box-score numbers lag behind other top candidates, Bachmeier's peripherals fit a traditional contender. BYU travels to UCF in Week 8.
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia: Stockton had a bad game at a rough moment, committing three turnovers in a stunning loss to Auburn. The sky isn't falling, though, since Stockton has 1,730 yards and 17 touchdowns for 6-1 Georgia. Yet after an idle weekend, the schedule only gets tougher.
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana: What a difference one play makes. Instead of being praised for a last-second touchdown pass to clip Ohio State, Hoover is facing an uphill climb in the Heisman race. If only Nick Marsh's toe hit in-bounds. Nevertheless, as with Stockton, we shouldn't overreactāHoover has passed for 1,660 yards with 18 scores and zero interceptions. Indiana plays at Michigan next.
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: Continue the trend here as Carr handles the aftermath of a disappointing loss at BYU. Notre Dame is still 6-1 entering an idle Saturday, and Carr has thrown for 1,721 yards and 19 touchdowns, with one interception.
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC: Maiava is coming off an open weekend with 2,045 passing yards and 20 total scores on his rƩsumƩ. USC heads to Wisconsin this weekend before hosting Ohio State.
.jpg?w=2560)
5. Jesse Legree, WR, Oregon State
4 of 8
So, uh, nobody can cover this guy!
Jesse Legree has steadily risen from a fun, early breakout player to a definite All-American candidate to a legitimate threat for Heisman Trophy votes.
Oregon State has rattled off a 5-2 start, powered by Legree's consistent impact, who's reached the 100-yard mark and scored a touchdown in every game. He's reeled in 46 passes and leads the entire Football Bowl Subdivision in both receiving yards (1,040) and touchdowns (14).
Not bad for a true freshman, huh?
Trips to Fresno State and Boise State remain on OSU's docket, but Legree has a real opportunity to crash the Heisman party.
4. Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
5 of 8
Overall, it was an ugly evening for Miami. Even as rivalries get weird sometimes, the 'Canes found themselves in a shocking hole at home against Florida State and barely pulled out a double-overtime win.
But the star of the show, yet again, was Malachi Toney.
The sophomore caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. He also scampered for 31 yards and executed a trick play for a two-point conversion, tossing a pass to Cooper Barkate.
Toney played an absolutely critical role in the 'Canes staying off Saturday's extensive list of highly ranked upsets.
Miami, now 6-0, hosts Pitt in Week 8.
3. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
6 of 8
Consistency is such a valuable trait.
While an outlier performance can happen, we have a solid idea of what Trinidad Chambliss will provide. He'll throw for 200-some yards, make an impact on the ground, account for two-plus scores and push Ole Miss north of 30 points.
Last weekend, he passed for 241 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for a fourth score and propelled the Rebels to a 31-3 victory over Missouri.
Ho-hum, normal Saturday.
The prime-time stage awaits in Week 8 as Ole Miss travels to Texasāwhich is reeling offensively yet ranks second nationally at 4.2 yards allowed per snap.
2. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
7 of 8
Some cracks are beginning to show in the Miami offense. Darian Mensah isn't immune to the side-eyes. He also threw a particularly ugly interceptionāhis first of the yearāin the nerve-wracking night against FSU.
At the same time, Mensah found a way.
He connected on several key passes to help the 'Canes claw back, take a fourth-quarter lead and eventually win 43-35 in overtime. Mensah finished 23-of-34 for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
Miami, newly crowned as the No. 1 team in the nation, carries a 6-0 record into a home matchup with Pitt on Saturday afternoon.
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
8 of 8
We know Jeremiah Smith is ridiculously talented.
We know he stands atop the FBS with 52 receptions, while ranking second in receiving yards (984) and touchdowns (12).
We know the Buckeyes are dealing with an unexpected dose of adversity, too. As a shoulder injury puts QB Julian Sayin on the shelf for several weeks, OSU is expected to start true freshman Luke Fahey.
Together, can they excel immediately? We don't know. Nobody does.
If there's a bright side to this negative situation, the Bucks have an extra week to prepare for a journey to USC. "Extra work" will undoubtedly be the norm for Fahey and Smith as they attempt to build a rapid connection.
The results will be on full display soonāand impact everything from Smith's award candidacy to 6-1 Ohio State's place in the national hierarchy.
.png?w=2560 "CFB Top 25")
.jpg?w=2560 "Purdy Becomes Highest-Rated QB EVER š¤©")
.jpg?w=2560 "Grading WWE Raw š")
