Heisman Watch, Week 8: Marvin Harrison Jr. makes his debut
After a second straight loss — and a 3rd loss in 2 years to Utah — preseason Heisman Trophy favorite Caleb Williams is just about out of the running.
But a Pac-12 colleague, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., maintains his current favorite status despite a shaky game against Arizona State.
Here is a look at the current Heisman odds and how the current top 10 contenders performed in Week 8…
1) Michael Penix Jr., Washington Quarterback
Week 8 results: 15-7 win over Arizona State
Week 8 stats: 27/42 passing for 275 yards, 2 interception, 2 rushes, negative-1 yard
Overall stats: 182/257 passing for 2,576 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 11 rushes, 3 yards
One big number: Penix last had a 2-interception game in Week 5 last season.
Week 9 opponent: at Stanford
Michael Penix with 3 first half turnovers…
(h/t @AryePulli) pic.twitter.com/1tKKzRsDS2https://t.co/Nftw2PDyAz
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 22, 2023
2) J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Quarterback
Week 8 results: 49-0 win at Michigan State
Week 8 stats: 21/27 passing for 287 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 rushes, 8 yards
Overall stats: 132/169 passing for 1,799 yards, 18 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 33 rushes, 168 yards, 3 touchdowns
One big number: McCarthy’s 287 yards were his highest this year.
Week 9 opponent: BYE
JJ McCarthy threw this into the tightest window possible. Loveland wasn't open and never uncovered. Insane throw. pic.twitter.com/C4BELzwCA4
— Rich (@richjmadrid) October 22, 2023
3) Jayden Daniels, LSU Quarterback
Week 8 results: 62-0 win over Army
Week 8 stats: 11/15 passing for 279 yards, 3 touchdowns, 5 rushes, 6 yards, 1 touchdown
Overall stats: 163/223 passing for 2,573 yards, 25 touchdowns, 3 interception, 91 rushes, 521 yards, 5 touchdowns
One big number: Daniels now has 3 touchdowns or more in 5 straight games.
Week 9 opponent: BYE
ANOTHER INCREDIBLE PLAY BY JAYDEN DANIELS 🎯 pic.twitter.com/wxK06cvfrQ
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 22, 2023
4) Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma Quarterback
Week 8 results: 31-29 win over UCF
Week 8 stats: 25/38 passing for 253 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 10 rushes, 22 yards
Overall stats: 166/233 passing for 2,131 yards, 19 touchdowns, 3 interception, 53 rushes, 230 yards, 5 touchdowns
One big number: Gabriel’s streak of 340-plus total yards was snapped at 3 games.
Week 9 opponent: At Kansas
Dillon Gabriel 🎯 Nic Anderson = 6
Anderson’s 7th TD on 12 catches 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P4ApqsQqVe
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 21, 2023
5) Jordan Travis, Florida State Quarterback
Week 8 results: 38-20 win over Duke
Week 8 stats: 27/36 passing for 268 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 10 rushes, 62 yards, 1 touchdown
Overall stats: 142/218 passing for 1,750 yards, 15 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 50 rushes, 176 yards, 5 touchdowns.
One big number: Travis’ 62 rushing yards were a season high.
Week 9 opponent: at Wake Forest
Idk how Jordan Travis fit that one in to Keon Coleman pic.twitter.com/cX6QrV2uLx
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 22, 2023
6) Drake Maye, North Carolina Quarterback
Week 8 results: 31-27 loss to Virginia
Week 8 stats: 24/48 passing for 347 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 6 rushes, 17 yards, 1 touchdowns
Overall stats: 170/260 passing for 2,249 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 68 rushes, 201 yards, 5 touchdowns
One big number: Maye’s first interception since Week 3 proved costly, sealing the Cavaliers’ upset.
Week 9 opponent: at Georgia Tech
Drake Maye just did THIS pic.twitter.com/8uZUIQIJIC
— BrycenNFL 👑 (@BrycenNFL) October 21, 2023
7) Carson Beck, Georgia Quarterback
Week 8 results: BYE
Week 8 stats: BYE
Overall stats: 173/235 passing for 2,147 yards, 12 touchdowns, 4 interception, 28 rushes, 50 yards, 3 touchdowns
One big number: Beck has 250 passing yards in every game this year.
Week 9 opponent: vs. Florida
8) Bo Nix, Oregon Quarterback
Week 8 results: 38-24 win over Washington State
Week 8 stats: 18/25 passing for 293 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interception, 2 rushes, 4 yards, 1 touchdowns
Overall stats: 182/232 passing for 2.089 yards, 19 touchdowns, 1 interception, 28 rushes, 105 yards, 2 touchdowns
One big number: Nix set an FBS record with his 54th career start.
Week 9 opponent: at Utah
Bo Nix with a perfect punt inside the 5. He can do it all 🤌 pic.twitter.com/PBJaur6Qrs
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 21, 2023
9) Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State Wide Receiver
Week 8 results: 20-12 win over Penn State
Week 8 stats: 11 receptions, 162 yards, 1 touchdowns
Overall stats: 42 receptions, 766 yards, 6 touchdowns
One big number: Harrison topped 160 yards for the 3rd time this year.
Week 9 opponent: at Wisconsin
I don’t care what anyone says Gus Johnson has some of the best commentary ever
Marvin Harrison Jr. TD pic.twitter.com/NQtIXNURXR— Carrie Lynn (@OSUFAN4U2NV) October 21, 2023
10) Caleb Williams, USC Quarterback
Week 8 results: 34-32 loss to Utah
Week 8 stats: 24/34 passing for 256 yards, 10 rushes, 27 yards, 1 touchdown
Overall stats: 166/237 passing for 2,277 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interception, 61 rushes, 143 yards, 7 touchdowns
One big number: Williams suffered back-to-back losses for the 1st time.
Week 9 opponent: at Cal
No other quarterback in college football is making this throw, but Caleb Williams can. That’s the difference. pic.twitter.com/5w4uSGhQfu
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 22, 2023
Others to Watch:
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers
Michigan running back Blake Corum
Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe
