The Heisman Trophy race took a sharp turn on Saturday. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin missed time with an elbow injury , and star receiver Jeremiah Smith had a quiet night, by his standards, in the rain. This allowed Miami stars Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney to close the gap on Smith . The Hurricanes survived a shootout against North Carolina to keep their No. 1 ranking, while the Buckeyes fell to USC. The top spot is no longer a safe bet for Smith.
Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez also climbed into the top five . He has led his team to a 7-1 record and a spot in the AP poll at No. 14. Lopez threw for 2,176 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception on the season. He also ran for 317 yards and six scores. These numbers show why he deserves a look in this crowded field. The race is wide open for anyone who can keep winning.
Ohio State had two weeks to plan for life without Sayin. They brought in true freshman Luke Fahey to run the offense. The plan did not work out as hoped. Smith, who was leading the Heisman race entering Week 9, did not have a big game against USC. The rain in Southern California made things harder, but the team still lost. This marks the second loss for Ohio State this season. A team with two losses usually cannot win the national title, and that hurts Smith's chances.
The Heisman often goes to the best player on the best team. If the Buckeyes keep losing, the voters will look elsewhere. Smith is still a top talent, but his path just got much steeper. He needs his team to win out to stay in the hunt. The injury to Sayin changed the dynamic for the whole team. Now the focus is on how Fahey handles the pressure in the coming weeks.
Miami is still the team to beat. They are ranked No. 1 in the country. The defense has had some issues, but the offense is nearly unstoppable. Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney are the reasons for that success. They have been rising in the power rankings all season. Their performance against North Carolina kept the Hurricanes at the top of the list. Mensah and Toney are closing the gap on Smith. They do not need to win out to get votes, but they need to keep putting up big numbers.
The shootout against North Carolina showed the Hurricanes can score when they need to. Mensah and Toney have the stats to back up their rising status. If they keep this up, they could overtake Smith as the favorite. The race is heating up because both sides have something to prove. One bad week for Miami could change everything, but they are looking strong right now.
Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez earned the fifth spot in these rankings. He has been a big part of the Demon Deacons' success. Ranked No. 14 in the AP poll, the team stands at 7-1 under Jake Dickert. Lopez has a redemption arc after a bad 2025 season at North Carolina. He completed over 67% of his passes this year, added six rushing touchdowns, and helped the Wake Forest offense rank ninth in scoring and 16th in total offense.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss sits at number four. He had a rough night against Texas but bounced back big against Auburn. Chambliss finished 22-of-34 for 263 yards and two touchdowns in that win. He also ran for 65 yards and a score. Ole Miss still has to win out to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. If they do, Chambliss could vault into the top spot. He faces Georgia next week in a tough test.
The Heisman race is far from over. The top five includes players from Miami, Ohio State, Wake Forest, and Ole Miss. Each of them has a clear path to the award as long as they keep winning. Smith has the name recognition, but the losses hurt. Mensah and Toney have the momentum and the team support. Lopez and Chambliss need their teams to win out to stay relevant. The voters will watch the remaining games closely. One bad loss can knock a player out of the conversation fast.
A few plays in the rain in Southern California changed the landscape for Ohio State. A big game in the North Carolina sun kept Miami on top. The rest of the season will decide who takes home the trophy. Fans should keep an eye on these names as the weeks go by. The race is tight, and any of these five could win it.
Numbers drive the Heisman conversation . Smith has the talent, but the team record matters most. Miami has the best record at No. 1. Wake Forest is 7-1 and climbing. Ole Miss needs to win out to stay in the mix. The stats for Lopez are impressive, with 18 touchdowns and only one interception.
