Heisman Trophy Power Rankings Week 10: Penix leads, with Nix and Williams breathing down his neck

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9) Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina dropped to 6-2 this season following its 46-42 loss against Georgia Tech, though this defeat cannot be blamed on quarterback Drake Maye despite all he could do to help North Carolina prevail. A missed field goal and an unfortunate fumble that caused wide receiver Tez Walker injury proved fatal to their success and ultimately brought on their downfall.

Maye completed 17 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts, running for an additional 58-yard score on ten carries.

8) Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma Sooners

Gabriel had an off day passing the football, as he completed just 14-of-19 attempts for 171 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. But he made up for it in the running game, amassing 64 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries.

7) Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State Seminoles

Florida State had already taken control of this game before halftime, outscoring Wake Forest by 34-7. Travis started the game on Florida State’s opening drive with a 13-yard touchdown run before throwing three touchdown passes – two to star wide receiver Keon Coleman! In total, Florida State outshone Wake Forest 34-7 by halftime.

Travis completed 22-of-35 pass attempts for 359 yards and three touchdowns and also ran seven times for 29 yards and one score. In total, Travis amassed 417 passing yards.

6) Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State Buckeyes

On Saturday, Ohio State took on the Wisconsin Badgers, and Harrison had an outstanding game. He caught six passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns – his first score coming on a 16-yard reception that extended their lead 10-0 in the second quarter and later scoring another 19-yarder that propelled Ohio State forward 17-10 in the third.

Harrison amassed 48 receptions for 889 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

Ohio State remains in contention as long as Harrison remains healthy and plays at his usual high level, evidenced by their 8-0 start to their season.

5) Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Tigers

Daniels has played at an exceptional level for the Tigers this season, throwing for 2,573 yards, 25 touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 73.1 completion percentage while adding 521 rushing yards and five touchdowns from 91 carries for an impressive  73.1 completion percentage, respectively.

4) J.J McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines were on a bye this weekend, so there is no update regarding quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s recent performance. What is known is that he is steadily climbing the Heisman odds boards; though an impressive feat, his numbers don’t compare with Caleb Williams or Michael Penix Jr’s numbers.

McCarthy posted 1,799 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 78.1 per cent of his passes this season.

3) Caleb Williams, QB, USC Trojans

Quarterback Caleb Williams had an overall solid day statistically, yet had some miscues like his fumble late in the fourth quarter – but despite all this – the Trojans got their victory.

Williams completed 23 of 40 pass attempts for 369 yards and two touchdowns while also running for two more scores despite amassing only 12 rushing yards on 12 attempts.

2) Bo Nix, QB, Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks have taken steps towards an eventual rematch against the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Had Oregon gone for points instead of three fourth-down plays on third down, they may well have won that matchup; nonetheless, Oregon has established itself as an actual College Football Playoff contender this season.

On Saturday, Oregon took on No. 13 Utah Utes, who defeated the USC Trojans the week before, only for Bo Nix and the Ducks to cruise easily to a 35-6 win with ease.

Nix started the game off strong for Oregon by scoring on its initial drive – a one-yard run at the goalline – to take an early lead of 13-0 against Utah. He later extended their advantage through an 18-yard pass to Jordan James in the first quarter and a three- yard throw to Troy Franklin during the second.

Overall, Nix completed 24-of-31 pass attempts for 248 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions while also scoring one rushing touchdown.

1) Michael Penix Jr. QB, Washington

The Huskies and Penix have struggled since the big win over Oregon. Last week, they nearly lost to the Arizona State Sun Devils; Penix recorded his first multi-interception game this season. Now the Huskies face the Stanford Cardinal team that recently overcame a 29-0 deficit against the Colorado Buffaloes to beat them 46-43 in double overtime!

Penix struggled, such as an unfortunate interception in the end zone when his team trailed 35-33. Yet, Dillon Johnson would take control late by running 13 yards for 42-33 advantage late.

The quarterback completed 21-of-38 pass attempts for 369 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.