The Heisman Rankings Week Eight saw the biggest shift in our poll for the entire season. Pre-season favorite and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams has fallen out of the top five and a newcomer who received no votes last week has vaulted into the top of our poll. But one thing remains the same: The player sitting on top.
2023 LWOCFB Heisman Rankings Week Eight
There’s a clear pecking order in our rankings, with Penix well in the lead. Nix is a solid second, with three players jockeying for the last three positions.
Here are the top five Heisman Rankings for Week Eight from our panel of 16 voters.
1. Michael Penix, Jr., Washington (74) [Previous: 1 (75)]
Michael Penix, Jr. and his Huskies escaped a spirited upset attempt from one-win Arizona State this weekend. Penix was clearly off his game, throwing for under 300 yards with no passing touchdowns and two uncharacteristic interceptions. It was a classic trap game, coming off a big win over Oregon and having three Top 25 opponents lined up over the next four games.
Our votes have been lenient with front-runners for most of the season, but in a race that’s heating up, Penix can’t afford too many subpar performances. He’ll get a chance to pad stats once again this week. The Huskies travel to Palo Alto to play two-win Stanford. It will be a chance for Penix, and the Huskies, to get back on track.
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU (51) [Previous: (4) (28)]
LSU’s Jayden Daniels jumped into our poll for the first time last week and now finds himself sitting in second place. Daniels is coming off a dominating performance against the over-matched Army, with 279 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in one half of work. Daniels’ resume is compelling — the nation’s leader in total offense per game, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and quarterback rating. After a slow start against Florida State, Daniels found his stride. He was, quite frankly, the sole reason LSU beat Arkansas and Missouri and was able to keep it close against their loss to Mississippi.
While he’s not quite within striking distance of Penix yet, Daniels will have his chance. He gets Alabama in a national showdown this weekend and still has Florida and Texas A&M as well. If Daniels keeps putting up these numbers and LSU can get a couple of big wins, Daniels will be in the room in New York and have a chance to hoist the Heisman.
3. Bo Nix, Oregon (45) [Previous: 2 (45)]
Oregon’s Bo Nix keeps humming along. The Ducks signal-caller provided 293 passing yards and two touchdowns against Washington State on Saturday. Nix still leads the nation in completion percentage and is third nationally in quarterback rating. It’s important to consider that Nix might be on the most balanced team not named Michigan. He’s only 29th nationally in passing attempts. He’s leading a well-oiled offense without having to do it himself, a stark contrast with Jayden Daniels, one spot above him. That distinction might help him out at the end of the season when voters have to put pen to paper (proverbially) for the invites to the Big Apple.
Nix will face a tough test this weekend as the Ducks travel to Utah. He’ll have a chance to once again make his case. With Daniels going against Alabama, he’s got a shot to get back into second spot.
4. Jordan Travis, FSU (27) [Previous: NR (12)]
While you won’t find Jordan Travis in the top ten nationally of any significant passing categories, you will still find him in our Heisman top five. After falling out of our poll last week, the Seminoles signal caller returns after a stunning performance against Duke. Travis passed for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception as the ‘Noles stayed perfect on the season.
Travis should be able to pad some of those middle-of-the-pack numbers over the next few weeks with games against struggling Wake Forest and Pittsburgh before a big showdown with Miami on Veterans’ Day.
5. Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State (14) [Previous: NR (0)]
Marvin Harrison, Jr. marks only the second non-quarterback to grace our poll this season (Brock Bowers). Harrison had Gus Johnson absolutely blushing over his 11 receptions, 162-yard receiving, and one touchdown game. Harrison was seemingly the only player on the field in fifth gear on Saturday. He’s hit 100 receiving yards or more in five of his seven games and ranks seventh nationally in total receiving yards.
Harrison and the Buckeyes get four snoozers in a row, with Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Minnesota before their showdown with Michigan in the last week of the season. The lack of quality competition might hurt Harrison in the long run.
Others Receiving Heisman Rankings Week Seven Votes:
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (12), Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma (6), Caleb Williams, USC (5), Drake Maye, North Carolina (5), Jaxson Dart, Mississippi (1).
