Welcome to our weekly look at the Pac-12’s leading Heisman Trophy candidates via an assessment of the top players in the conference. Consider this one Heisman voter’s view of the regional landscape. The rankings are based on individual performance, value to the team and quality of competition.
A new threat has emerged in the Pac-12’s pursuit of its second consecutive Heisman Trophy, and he’s a former friend.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels produced a record-setting game and joined the group of betting favorites three weeks before ballots are due.
Daniels grew up in Southern California and was a three-year starter for Arizona State before moving to Baton Rouge ahead of the 2022 season.
He spent most of the past two months as a second-level Heisman candidate but improved his prospects substantially last weekend in a victory over Florida, becoming the first quarterback in FBS history to have at least 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing.
The performance forced oddsmakers to adjust their lines.
As of Monday, BetMGM listed Oregon quarterback Bo Nix as the 10-to-11 favorite (i.e., less than 1-to-1).
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the betting favorite in prior weeks, is just under 4-to-1.
Then comes Daniels at a solid 4-to-1, followed by Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at 11-to-2.
That, folks, is the top tier.
Unlike the other frontrunners, however, Daniels has no chance to impress voters on championship weekend. LSU has been eliminated from the SEC title race.
1. Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Last week: 1
Key stats: 353.3 yards per game, 9.7 yards per attempt, 28 touchdowns
Comment: Penix did nothing wrong in the victory over Utah and remains well-positioned for a trip to New York City for the Heisman ceremony. His prospects for claiming the trophy depend almost entirely on UW reaching the Pac-12 title game — and on Penix delivering a first-class performance in the spotlight.
2. Oregon QB Bo Nix
Last week: 2
Key stats: 184.7 passer rating, 77.7% completion, 9.4 yards per attempt
Comment: Nix continues to produce off-the-charts efficiency and will have a series of games on broadcast TV down the stretch to strut his stuff in front of voters who haven’t been paying attention. But like Penix, his fate hinges on advancing to, and thriving in the conference championship
3. USC QB Caleb Williams
Last week: 3
Key stats: 172.2 passer rating, 67.9 percent completion, 9.4 yards per attempt
Comment: Williams’ second-tier status in the race illustrates the challenges faced by Heisman winners in their quest to repeat. His completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating are better than last year. But USC has more losses and, fair or not, voters are judging Williams by a different standard.
4. Arizona QB Noah Fifita
Last week: 4
Key stats: 158.7 passer rating, 73.7% completion, 16 touchdowns
Comment: Redshirts are eligible for the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year Award, so let’s hand the 2023 edition to Fifita now — he played in three games last season — and move along to other matters.
5. Oregon WR Troy Franklin
Last week: 6
Key stats: 60 catches, 18.2 yards per catch, 11 touchdowns
Comment: Time to start the discussion: Is Franklin the best receiver in Oregon history? If the junior returns next season — hardly a guarantee, in our view — and plays at this level, he will have a great case.
6. Washington WR Rome Odunze
Last week: Not ranked
Key stats: 59 receptions, 18.6 yards per catch, nine touchdowns
Comment: The top category in John Wooden’s famed Pyramid of Success is competitive greatness: Be at your best when your best is required. Against USC, Utah and Oregon, Odunze had 16 catches for 321 yards and four touchdowns.
Also considered (alphabetically): Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger, OSU LB Andrew Chatfield, Arizona WR Jacob Cowing, Oregon DL Brandon Dorlus, Utah DE Jonah Elliss, OSU OL Taliese Fuaga and Joshua Gray, Stanford K Joshua Karty, UCLA Edge Laiatu Latu, Arizona LB Jacob Manu, OSU TB Damien Martinez, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Cal TB Jaydn Ott and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
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