Welcome to Week 13 of our Heisman poll! In last week’s article, we highlighted the significant gap between the top two candidates and the rest of the contenders, emphasizing how their performances have set them apart. This week, we shift our focus to a thought-provoking exercise: examining the possibility of an upset in the race. Using the names and rankings from our Sports Events Guide writers’ poll, we’ll dig to see who could have an upset on their minds.
Week 13 Heisman Poll
We will continue to track whose stock is rising and whose stock is falling in our Week 13 Heisman poll. Some old faces will return to our list this week. This week, there is no honorable mention due to a four-way tie for our fifth-place vote.
#5 SEC Contingent
The SEC picked a bad week for chaos. The conference went from six teams in contention to just three for Week 14. That didn’t stop a log jam at our Week 13 Heisman #5 spot.
- Carson Beck, QB, Georgia Bulldogs
- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss Rebels
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee Volunteers
Of the four, Carson Beck and Dylan Sampson are likely the only ones to make the playoffs, barring a Volunteers collapse this weekend in Nashville. Beck will have two remaining opportunities to showcase his skills to the committee. This weekend, it will be against Georiga Tech, and next weekend, it will be in the SEC Championship game against the Texas and Texas A&M winner. Leading Georgia to the SEC Championship may provide Beck the most opportunity to bump. Although the Beck and Dawgs got plenty of preseason accolades, injuries and the nation’s toughest schedule have provided plenty of opportunity for the spotlight and a chance to make his final move.
Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe’s losses last week likely knocked them out of consideration. They are both key to their team’s success, but not being in the playoffs hinders their ability to make further moves up the list. Look for one of the two to still head to New York and be part of the final five contenders.
#4 Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon Ducks
We have spoken all season about Dillon Gabriel hanging around. He has held fast onto the three or four spots in most of our weekly polls. Gabriel is well-positioned to climb ahead of either Ashton Jeanty or Travis Hunter when the final ballots are submitted. The Oregon quarterback has helped the Ducks successfully navigate their way in their first year in the Big Ten. They will likely face a rematch against Ohio State, barring another Ryan Day collapse against Michigan this weekend. A Duck’s Big Ten Championship will secure the top spot in the College Football Playoff and center the accolades around Gabriel. Gabriel is likely the right pick if you want to place your bet for the long shot to win.
#3 Cam Ward, QB, Miami Hurricanes
Cam Ward joins Gabriel on the list of the players that could make a move in the final weeks to pass Jeanty or Hunter. Ward has been electric since arriving in the offseason in Coral Gabels. His right arm is a big reason the Hurricanes have returned to prominence in 2024. They are currently ranked in the Top 10 by the College Football Committee, despite Miami having yet to play a team in the Top 25, and are likely headed to Charlotte to face Clemson or SMU in the ACC Championship. Should Ward lead Miami to their first ACC Championship; who would have thought 20 years after joining the league, we would say that? Ward is a likely candidate to bypass our top two on the list.
#2 Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos
Boise State continues to play with fire. They squeaked by another Wyoming this weekend, continuing to put themselves in position to play for a Moutain West championship and secure one of the automatic bids as a conference champion. Jeanty has been the straw that stirred the drink this year for the Broncos. The Boise running back had to take himself out of the game twice against Wyoming with apparent injuries but still found the strength to return and will his team to victory.
Jeanty had four carries for 53 yards on the Broncos’ game-winning drive to help secure the win. He is having a historic season and will likely be the top running back selected in the NFL Draft. But nobody should be surprised if the Broncos stumble in the next two weeks that it would hurt their playoff chances and likely knock Jeanty out of consideration for the top spot.
#1 Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado Buffaloes
Hunter continues to do it all for Colorado, but unfortunately, it was not enough in Buffalo’s loss last week to Kansas. The national narrative seems to hold that the Heisman is Hunter’s to lose. He has been a unicorn throughout his career, excelling at both defensive back and wide receiver. He also has gotten plenty of national media spotlight from the media with his Primetime head coach and Colorado’s resurgence this year. Hunter and the Buffs still have an opportunity in a convoluted Big 12 race to make the championship. Should Hunter show out and lead Colorado to the playoff, that may be the magic sauce to help him stave off any contenders.
