The Heisman Trophy race underwent a massive shakeup following a week of significant upsets in college football, according to a USA TODAY report published October 19. Major victories by underdog programs and losses by top-ranked teams have altered the momentum meter after Week 7 of the season.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the Heisman favorite for the fourth consecutive week. Despite Indiana holding him in check during a 19-15 road win on Oct. 17, Smith caught four passes for 68 yards and a game-winning 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1. Ohio State is scheduled to face Southern California, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan in upcoming games.
Two newcomers have entered the USA TODAY Heisman list. Oregon State's Jesse Legree has become a breakout star, leading the nation with 1,040 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns through seven games. Legree has recorded over 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown in every game of his college career. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier also entered the rankings after the Cougars upset No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in Week 7. Bachmeier recorded 269 total yards and four total touchdowns during that victory.
Miami's Darian Mensah holds the No. 2 spot after a 43-35 double overtime win against Florida State. Mensah completed 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown to Malachi Toney. Toney, who also appeared at No. 7, caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Other notable shifts include Houston quarterback Conner Weigman rising to No. 6. Weigman leads college football with 26 total touchdowns and ranks fourth nationally in QBR at 87.7. He recorded 343 passing yards and five touchdowns in a 35-32 win over Oklahoma State in Week 7. He is scheduled to play No. 11 Utah in an upcoming road game.
The Week 7 results also saw declines for several players. Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker fell to No. 8 following a 35-32 loss to Houston, and Alabama's Keelon Russell dropped to No. 9 after consecutive losses to Georgia and Tennessee. Georgia's Gunner Stockton also dropped to No. 10 after a 27-24 upset loss to Auburn, a game that included two interceptions and a fumble from Stockton.
