Heisman Watch: Don’t look now, but a former Pac-12 QB is running down two current Pac-12 QBs
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix remain among the betting favorites
Welcome to our weekly look at the Pac-12’s leading Heisman Trophy candidates through an evaluation of the conference’s top players. Consider one Heisman voter’s perspective on the regional landscape. The rankings are based on individual performance, team value, and competition quality.
In the Pac-12’s pursuit of its second consecutive Heisman Trophy, a new threat has emerged, and he’s a former friend.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels set a new record and joined the list of betting favorites three weeks before the election.
Daniels grew up in Southern California and played three years for Arizona State before transferring to Baton Rouge for the 2022 season.
He spent the majority of the last two months as a second-tier Heisman candidate, but he significantly improved his chances last weekend in a win over Florida, becoming the first quarterback in FBS history to have at least 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing.
The performance compelled bookmakers to adjust their odds.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was listed as the 10-to-11 favorite (less than 1-to-1) as of Monday.
Michael Penix Jr., the betting favorite in previous weeks, is now just under 4-to-1.
Then comes Daniels at a solid 4-to-1, followed by Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at 11-to-2.
That, folks, is the top tier.
Unlike the other frontrunners, however, Daniels has no chance to impress voters on championship weekend. LSU has been eliminated from the SEC title race.
1. Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Last week: 1
Key stats: 353.3 yards per game, 9.7 yards per attempt, 28 touchdowns
Comment: Penix did nothing wrong in the win over Utah and is still on track to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. His chances of winning the trophy are almost entirely dependent on UW reaching the Pac-12 championship game — and on Penix delivering a first-rate performance in the spotlight.
2. Oregon QB Bo Nix
Last week: 2
Key stats: 184.7 passer rating, 77.7% completion, 9.4 yards per attempt
Comment: Nix’s efficiency continues to be off the charts, and he’ll have a series of games on broadcast TV down the stretch to show off his skills in front of voters who haven’t been paying attention. But, like Penix, his fate is dependent on reaching and excelling in the conference championship.
3. USC QB Caleb Williams
Last week: 3
Key stats: 172.2 passer rating, 67.9 percent completion, 9.4 yards per attempt
Comment: Williams’ second-tier finish in the race exemplifies the difficulties that Heisman winners face in attempting to repeat. His completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passer rating are all higher than they were last season. However, USC has more losses, and voters, fair or not, are holding Williams to a different standard.
4. Arizona QB Noah Fifita
Last week: 4
Key stats: 158.7 passer rating, 73.7% completion, 16 touchdowns
Comment: Redshirts are eligible for the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year Award, so give it to Fifita now — he appeared in three games last season — and move on.
5. Oregon WR Troy Franklin
Last week: 6
Key stats: 60 catches, 18.2 yards per catch, 11 touchdowns
Comment: It’s time to start a debate: Is Franklin the best receiver in Oregon history? If the junior returns next season — which is far from certain, in our opinion — and performs at this level, he will have a strong case.
6. Washington WR Rome Odunze
Last week: Not ranked
Key stats: 59 receptions, 18.6 yards per catch, nine touchdowns
Comment: Competitive greatness is the top category in John Wooden’s famous Pyramid of Success: be at your best when your best is required. Odunze had 16 catches for 321 yards and four touchdowns against USC, Utah, and Oregon.
Also considered (alphabetically): Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger, OSU LB Andrew Chatfield, Arizona WR Jacob Cowing, Oregon DL Brandon Dorlus, Utah DE Jonah Elliss, OSU OL Taliese Fuaga and Joshua Gray, Stanford K Joshua Karty, UCLA Edge Laiatu Latu, Arizona LB Jacob Manu, OSU TB Damien Martinez, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Cal TB Jaydn Ott and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
