Imagine the thrill of college football reaching its midpoint, with the most coveted individual honor—the Heisman Trophy—still up for grabs and sparking endless debates among fans. Halfway through the season after Week 7, we're diving into ESPN's latest snapshot of the top contenders, based on their unique points system. But here's where it gets exciting: who will emerge as the frontrunner when all the chips are down? Let's break it down step by step, keeping things straightforward for newcomers to this gridiron drama.
To clarify for those just tuning in, the Heisman Trophy celebrates the best player in college football, voted on by media and past winners. ESPN analyst Bill Connelly has devised a fun, competitive way to track momentum: it's like a Formula 1 points race, where the top performer each week earns 10 points, the second gets 9, and it drops down to 1 for the tenth spot. This system tallies up over the season, but as Connelly wisely notes, it's all still very much in flux—far more weight will come from the second half's performances. For beginners, think of it as a leaderboard that rewards consistency and standout moments, much like how a driver racks up points across a racing season to claim the championship.
Leading the pack right now is Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson, who has racked up an impressive 29 points. Coming off a strong showing in a victory over Missouri, where his efforts earned him five more points in this week's vote, Simpson sits atop the list. His stats tell a compelling story: a 70.9% completion rate, averaging 279.7 passing yards per game, with 18 touchdowns and just two turnovers. With Alabama's tough schedule ahead, including key games in Tuscaloosa, Simpson has plenty of opportunities to build on this lead. As Connelly puts it, Simpson's reliable play has propelled him forward, especially after stepping up post a challenging outing against Florida State. And this is the part most people miss: how early-season grit can set the stage for Heisman glory, but will consistency translate to December's ceremony?
Not far behind at 22 points is Arkansas's Taylen Green, who earned seven points from a narrow three-point defeat at Tennessee. In a preseason world, you'd expect other SEC quarterbacks to dominate this spot, but Green's breakout campaign has been a pleasant surprise. He's hitting 63% on completions, piling up 359.7 total offensive yards per game, with 17 touchdowns against seven turnovers. For the Razorbacks, who've faced a rocky start, Green's been a beacon of hope—highlighting how one player's rise can lift an entire team. This begs the question: is Green's unexpected prominence a sign of shifting SEC dynamics, or will established names reclaim the spotlight?
Climbing to 19 points is Washington's Demond Williams, who clinched the full 10 points for his stellar performance against Rutgers. Just a week ago, he might not have cracked this list, but his 77.8% completion rate, 538 total yards, and four touchdowns in a convincing 38-19 win over the Scarlet Knights changed that. Connelly called it a rare gem on a late Friday night, even if Rutgers' defense wasn't at its sharpest. For context, these kinds of explosive games remind us how a single standout outing can catapult a player into contention—think of it as a quarterback's equivalent of a hole-in-one in golf.
Holding steady at 16 points, Illinois's Luke Altmyer continues to impress despite a tough 18-point setback to top-ranked Ohio State. He bounced back with a solid 68.2% completion, 248 yards, one touchdown, and an interception in that game, maintaining his season averages of 72.4% and 260.1 yards per outing with 13 touchdowns and just one pick. Facing elite defenses like the Buckeyes' is no small feat, and it underscores Altmyer's resilience. But here's where it gets controversial: does performing well in losses count as much as dominating in wins, especially when the scoreboard doesn't reflect it?
Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss sits at 15 points, a fascinating case amid quarterback uncertainty with Austin Simmons sidelined. His recent outing—a close loss to Washington State after a bye week—saw him go 20-for-29 (69%), with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing score. Season-wise, he's at 65.4% completions, averaging 261.1 total yards per game, and boasts 10 touchdowns to two turnovers. As a backup turned starter, Chambliss's story adds intrigue to the Rebels' season. Most people overlook how depth charts can suddenly shift Heisman narratives—could this be the year a lesser-known player steals the show?
At 12 points, USC's Jayden Maiava is proving to be Lincoln Riley's latest gem, shining in a big 31-13 triumph over No. 15 Michigan. He went 25-for-32 (78.1%) for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. With another crucial match against Notre Dame looming, Maiava could solidify his case further. This highlights how mid-season momentum can build hype, especially against ranked opponents.
Tying for spots below, Washington's Jonah Coleman earns 10 points as the Huskies' second representative. While Demond Williams stole the spotlight last week, Coleman's contributions—44 rushing yards and a score, plus a 20-yard catch—have him at 761 scrimmage yards (126 per game) and 12 total touchdowns, including 11 on the ground, a national leader. It's rare to have two players from the same backfield in contention, sparking debates on team vs. individual glory.
UCLA's Nico Iamaleava also hits 10 points, a rapid riser after the Bruins' 2-0 October surge under a new playcaller. In wins over No. 7 Penn State and at Michigan State, he's at 68.8% completions, 173 yards per game passing, five touchdowns, plus 128 rushing yards and three scores against the Nittany Lions. From a September slump to October dominance, his turnaround exemplifies how coaching changes can rejuvenate a player's Heisman hopes.
Indiana's Fernando Mendoza joins the 10-point club, boosted by the Hoosiers' historic 30-20 upset of No. 6 Oregon. He threw 20-for-31 (64.5%) for 215 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, positioning Indiana as a potential Big Ten powerhouse. Mendoza's emergence as a possible undefeated team's leader adds fuel to his candidacy—what if this is the breakout moment that redefines a program's legacy?
Rounding out the list at 10 points is Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, who struggled in a rematch against Alabama (21-for-35, 60%, 198 yards, one touchdown, interception, plus 58 rushing yards but a lost fumble). Despite that, his season stats shine: 293.5 total yards per game, 16 touchdowns, and six turnovers. Pavia's role in Vanderbilt's recent revival makes him a sleeper pick. And this is the part most people miss: how perseverance through setbacks can still earn Heisman nods, though some might argue it's more about team context than individual stats.
Finally, Baylor's Sawyer Robertson squeezes into this expanded Top-11 with 10 points, having been a consistent force from day one. He's leading the nation in passing yards (2,058 total, 343 per game), touchdowns (19), and completions (63.7%), with just four interceptions. His productivity sets a high bar for quarterbacks nationwide.
As we ponder these rankings, it's clear the Heisman race is packed with surprises and high-stakes drama. But here's where it gets controversial: should the award favor flashy stats over team success, or does context like conference strength matter more? Is there room for players from 'smaller' programs to break through, or will SEC dominance prevail? What do you think—does Simpson's lead hold, or will someone like Green or Williams pull off an upset? Share your takes in the comments; let's debate the future of college football's biggest prize!
