It wasn’t the brightest of opening weekends for college football, but Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Shedur Sanders made strong statements as Heisman contenders on a rare national stage for upstart Colorado. Our first regular season Heisman rankings certainly reflect the pair’s stellar performances.
Hutner and Sanders were key cogs in the Buffs upset win over TCU. Coupled with, limited marquee games on opening Saturday, clearly captured the attention of our panel of writers.
2023 LWOCFB Week One Heisman Rankings
While Caleb Williams maintained his spot atop our poll, it is no longer unanimous. Hunter went from zero votes in our preseason poll to a tie for second after the first week. Teammate Sanders went from only 2 votes to 17, which is good for sixth place in our poll. Those top six are the only players able to garner more than 3 votes from our panel.
Here are the five top vote-getters from our panel of 16 voters.
- Caleb Williams, USC (71) [Previous: (1) (80)]
USC Quarterback Caleb Williams was our unanimous Preseason Heisman favorite. Williams’ first two games show no sign of a post-Heisman slump. The Trojans’ signal-caller is connecting at a 73.5% clip through two games with nine touchdowns in two blow-out wins.
This week’s big story, Travis Hunter and his otherworldly exploits might actually be good for Williams in the long run. If Hunter or others can provide some early contention for Williams, late-season dominance from the reigning Heisman winner might sway voters hesitant to award college football’s most prestigious Trophy to him for a second consecutive year.
(t) Michael Penix, Jr., Washington (45) [Previous: (2t) (28)]Michael Penix, Jr. kicked off his 2023 campaign with gusto this weekend. Penix blasted Boise State to the tune of 450 yards and five touchdowns on only 29 completions. His Huskies bucked the Broncos 56-19 on the banks of Union Bay.
You can expect Penix to put up big numbers this weekend as well. The Huskies host Tulsa at home on Saturday. Consistency will be key for the sixth-year senior, as he doesn’t have the stage that Williams has or the hype of Hunter. Another 400-yard-five touchdown game will put him firmly in the Heisman discussion.
- (t) Travis Hunter, Colorado (45) [Previous: Not Ranked (0)]
Travis Hunter vaulted onto the national scene with an epic performance against TCU on Saturday. It is important to realize, Hunter played over 100 total snaps in 100+ degree North Texas heat. All Hunter did was haul in 11 receptions for 119 yards on offense and three tackles with a highlight reel interception at the goal line on defense.
You can say what you want about the Deion Sanders experiment/experience at Colorado, but there is no denying Hunter’s incredible natural talent and obvious coaching. He’ll get another chance to showcase his abilities this week as Nebraska comes calling to Boulder. If the Buffs can make it two in a row to start the season (after mustering only one win in 2022) and Hunter has a repeat performance, things could get awfully tight atop our poll.
Circle the calendars now — September 30th Caleb Williams and USC travel to Boulder to take on Hunter and the Buffaloes. It is a must-see TV for college football fans.
- Jordan Travis, FSU (36) [Previous: (7th) (13)]
Our other big mover this week is Florida State‘s Jordan Travis. Ultimately, Travis took on the vaunted and highly-ranked LSU defense and made the Bayou Bengals look like house cats in the second half. Travis put up 342 yards and four touchdowns against the defending SEC East Champions.
Furthermore, Florida State looks like the best team in the ACC, at least after Week 1. Jordan will face a lot of defenses this season less talented than LSU. If he can put up commensurate numbers against those lesser defenses, he might be able to take advantage of a West-heavy Heisman slate.
- Drake Maye, North Carolina (20) [Previous: (2t) (33)]
North Carolina Quarterback Drake Maye had a pedestrian start to 2023. The Tarheel signal caller had 269 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against South Carolina this weekend. Coupled with a convincing win, that’s not a bad stat line. But when you’re trying to win the most coveted award in the land, that won’t cut it.
Maye and his big arm will have another chance to make a statement this Saturday against Appalachian State. But in a field this packed, one has to wonder if Maye’s sluggish start against an SEC foe in primetime might have stymied his candidacy from the get-go.
Others Receiving Heisman Rankings Votes:
Shedur Sanders, Colorado (17), Blake Corum, Michigan (3), Brock Bowers, Georgia (2), D.J. Uiagalelei, Oregon State (1).
