We are halfway through the college football season so it’s time to take a look at the Heisman Trophy race.
Boy, a lot has changed since the preseason. New names, new odds and a whole bunch of uncertainty in this race. Let’s talk who’s in, who’s out and what has to be done to make it to New York City and lift the statue of the man doing the stiffarm (his name was Ed Smith, by the way).
Current odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Jeremiah Smith WR, Ohio State
I didn’t mention him in the preseason story because I thought there were too many quarterbacks for him to jump. Well, he’s jumped all of them. Smith is the best player in America and it might not be close. Injuries and poor play (cough, cough, Arch Manning) from some of the favorites have cleared the path.
The odds: Smith is the favorite at -125 and he’s trending up.
How can he win? It’s pretty simple really. Catch everything that’s thrown his way and continue to make opposing secondaries look like fools. His starting quarterback is hurt and will be out for a bit. Backup Luke Fahey will be tasked with getting Smith as many looks as Julian Sayin did. If he does that, Smith wins the Heisman.
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 18: Darian Mensah #10 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates following a touchdown pass during the first half of the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesDarian Mensah QB, Miami
Mensah has been nearly flawless all season long. He finally threw an interception in that crazy game against Florida State but before that was as “perfect” as a quarterback could be. Mensah has an ace wide receiver of his own in Malachi Toney. Look for both of them to put up numbers for the rest of the year.
The odds: Mensah is the second favorite at +325.
How can he win? Mensah’s Heisman moment will arrive on Nov. 7 when the Hurricanes play Notre Dame. Playoff seeding will be at stake and a national audience will be watching. BYU proved Notre Dame’s defense can be exploited. Mensah could have the game of his life. He’ll will need it to win the big trophy.
PROVO UT - NOVEMBER 29: Bear Bachmeier #47 of the Brigham Young Cougars is sacked by Evan Johnson #0 of the University of Central Florida Knights during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesBear Bachmeier QB, BYU
He’s the definition of playing your way into the conversation, the Bear looked and played like a QB1 late against the Irish Saturday night. Unmoved by the moment,
Bachmeier took his team national and now are the No. 2 team in the country. He’s a longshot but what a story.
The odds: Great value bet at +2500.
How can he win? He must win out. He must put up great stats. BYU needs to win the Big 12 (unfair but true). It wouldn’t hurt if a few guys above him struggled mightily from here on out.
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO - OCTOBER 3: Jesse Legree #12 of the Oregon State Beavers runs after a catch before scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Canvas Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesJesse LeGree WR, Oregon State
Cue the majority of you saying, Who? Get familiar with this young man and quick. He has 46 catches for 1,040 yards in seven games. He averages 148 yards per game receiving. He has 14 touchdowns. Oh, and he’s a freshman.
The odds: a longshot at +2500
How can he win? Honestly, you can’t ask him to do more than he’s doing. Six and a half receptions for 148 yards and a couple of touchdowns a game should stand on its own. Maybe if he was the kicker also? The kid is an insane talent and unfortunately for Oregon State we could see LeGree in a Power Four uniform next season. If that happens we’ll have him back on this list next year. You heard it here first.
STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Drew Mestemaker #17 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys throws a pass before a game against the UCF Knights at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesDrew Mestemaker QB, Oklahoma State
All year long Mestemaker has been making a case to be the first quarterback drafted next year. After a terrible loss to Tulsa to open the year Mestemaker set the Cowboys on a four game win streak snapped Saturday against a very good Houston Cougars squad. He put up great stats in the loss. He’s turned the program around. He needs a big push to win the Heisman.
The odds: +5000. This will drop get in on it now.
How can he win? Pile up numbers on a soft(ish) remaking schedule. There’s a big one against Texas Tech on November 14th. It’s make or break on that date.
Trending up
Trinidad Chambliss, QB Ole Miss +625. The Florida game was a bump in the road.
Malachi Toney, WR Miami +2500. Needs to level up just a little.
Conner Weigman, QB Houston +7500. A little too far off the radar.
Trending down/out
Julian Sayin
Dante Moore
Arch Manning
Keep an eye on
CJ Carr
Gunner Stockton
The prediction is Jeremiah Smith over Drew Mestemaker and Darian Mensah. Smith may have gained enough equity to absorb a drop in production because of his quarterback situation. If his production falls off the map, it becomes a race.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com