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Heisman Watch, Week 7: Battle in Seattle solidifies Michael Penix Jr.’s hold on top spot
By Jon Gold
Published:
A pair of losses by Pac-12 quarterbacks has thrown the Heisman Watch into full disarray.
In the process, another QB out west — Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. — has seized the top spot. But even after a bye week, Dillon Gabriel is breathing down his neck.
Here is a look at the current Heisman odds and how the current top 10 contenders performed in Week 7…
1) Michael Penix Jr., Washington Quarterback
Week 7 results: 36-33 win over Oregon
Week 7 stats: 22/37 for 302 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 1 rush, negative-5 yards
Overall stats: 155/215 for 2,301 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 9 rushes, 4 yards
One big number: Penix is now the clear-cut Heisman front-runner after passing for 4 scores for the 4th time this season.
Week 8 opponent: vs. Arizona State
Rome Odunze’s balance and body control is otherworldly. Michael Penix Jr.’s touch is NOT normal! pic.twitter.com/bwfrjywzUQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 14, 2023
2) Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma Quarterback
Week 7 results: BYE
Week 7 stats: BYE
Overall stats: 141/195 for 1,878 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 43 rushes, 208 yards, 5 touchdowns
One big number: Gabriel has 4 300-yard games this season.
Week 8 opponent: vs. UCF
3) J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Quarterback
Week 7 results: 52-7 win over Indiana
Week 7 stats: 14/17 for 222 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 10 rushes, 27 yards
Overall stats: 111/142 for 1,512 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 30 rushes, 160 yards, 3 touchdowns
One big number: How can McCarthy put up the stats when the Wolverines keep smashing teams? He hasn’t topped 225 passing yards since Week 2.
Week 8 opponent: vs. Michigan State
Love seeing this from Michigan QB JJ McCarthy.
Uses his legs to get outside, sees the open space downfield, and directs his tight end for an easy touchdown.
McCarthy has been showing his ability to improvise and create some big plays today. pic.twitter.com/cHczBuJWcK
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) October 14, 2023
4) Jordan Travis, Florida State Quarterback
Week 7 results: 41-3 win over Syracuse
Week 7 stats: 23/37 for 284 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 7 rushes, negative-5 yards, 2 touchdowns
Overall stats: 115/182 for 1,482 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 1 interception, 40 rushes, 114 yards, 4 touchdowns
One big number: Travis hasn’t been intercepted since midway through Week 1, a span of more than 160 pass attempts.
Week 8 opponent: vs. No. 17 Duke
This play by Jordan Travis was insane ?
Follow @nil_wire for more! pic.twitter.com/7Fyzmn1ONZ
— NIL Wire | Top NIL Newsletter (@NIL_wire) October 14, 2023
5) Jayden Daniels, LSU Quarterback
Week 7 results: 48-18 win over Auburn
Week 7 stats: 20/27 for 325 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 11 rushes, 93 yards
Overall stats: 152/208 for 2,294 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 86 rushes, 515 yards, 4 touchdowns
One big number: Daniels has taken his ground game to the next level, rushing for 90-plus yards for a 3rd straight game.
Week 8 opponent: vs. Army
JAYDEN DANIELS TO KYREN LACY pic.twitter.com/JCVxx3LNUc
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) October 15, 2023
6) Drake Maye, North Carolina Quarterback
Week 7 results: 41-31 win over Miami
Week 7 stats: 17/33 for 273 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 10 rushes, 10 yards
Overall stats: 146/212 for 1,902 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 62 rushes, 184 yards, 4 touchdowns
One big number: Maye connected with new favorite target Devontez “Tez” Walker for 3 scores.
Week 8 opponent: vs. Virginia
Drake Maye to Tez Walker! UNC leads 21-17 pic.twitter.com/bEqRi2H1WJ
— Tar Heel Tapes (@TarHeelTapes) October 15, 2023
7) Caleb Williams, USC Quarterback
Week 7 results: 48-20 loss at Notre Dame
Week 7 stats: 23/37 for 199 passing yards, 1 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 13 rushes, negative-8 yards
Overall stats: 142/203 for 2,021 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 51 rushes, 116 yards, 6 touchdowns
One big number: Williams experienced his worst day as a starter, tossing multiple picks for just the 2nd time and 3 for the 1st time.
Week 8 opponent: vs. No. 16 Utah
Caleb Williams has thrown a trio of interceptions so far tonight #USC
— Christopher Mathis ? (@thechrismathis) October 15, 2023
8) Bo Nix, Oregon Quarterback
Week 7 results: 36-33 loss at Washington
Week 7 stats: 33/44 for 337 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 7 rushes, 14 yards
Overall stats: 164/207 for 1,796 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 26 rushes, 101 yards, 1 touchdown
One big number: Nix was an impressive 20-of-24 passing in the 2nd half but missed on 2 crucial 4th down throws.
Week 8 opponent: vs. No. 19 Washington State
Bo Nix to Troy Franklin = ? pic.twitter.com/mhKuuhGuUf
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 14, 2023
9) Carson Beck, Georgia Quarterback
Week 7 results: 37-20 win at Vanderbilt
Week 7 stats: 29/39 for 261 passing yards, 1 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 6 rushes, negative-1 yards, 1 touchdown
Overall stats: 173/275 for 2,147 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 28 rushes, 50 yards, 3 touchdowns
One big number: Beck fell well short of what would’ve been his 4th straight 300-yard game.
Week 8 opponent: BYE
Horrible interception by Carson Beck who saves a Vanderbilt TD with a massive hit pic.twitter.com/v0ltwOLT81
— The First Pizza Sports Show (@1stPizzaShow) October 14, 2023
10) Quinn Ewers, Texas Quarterback
Week 7 results: BYE
Week 7 stats: BYE
Overall stats: 128/184 for 1,704 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 33 rushes, 60 yards, 5 touchdowns
One big number: Ewers is completing 72% of his passes with 7 touchdowns against just 1 pick and an 8.2-yards-per-play average when opposing teams blitz him this season.
Week 8 opponent: at Houston
Others to Watch:
Michigan running back Blake Corum
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe
Jon Gold has won multiple state and national awards covering college football. He is the Pac-12 columnist for Saturday Out West.
