The smoke has (mostly) cleared out over Neyland Stadium. So, as we put down our cigars, it’s time to look at our Week 8 Heisman poll. Our writers have done great by consistently providing 12 to 15 names weekly. While the Heisman has historically become a de facto quarterback award, our writers have done a great job of looking beyond our signal callers. This week’s list had some movement. Here is the breakdown before we get into our list.
Strike the Pose! Week 8 Heisman Poll
A new week and a new number one. Our Last Word on Sports writers believe the Heisman is more than just a quarterback award. We will continue to track whose stock is rising and whose stock is falling in our Week 8 Heisman poll. We have a new candidate on our list this week. Our list continues to have fluidity outside of the top spot. Before we get to the poll, the ACC has a familiar team and position for our honorable mention spot this season. Can he make the moves in Week 9 to find his way into the Top 5 next week?
Honorable Mention: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Clemson’s opening weekend loss to Georgia is now a distant memory. The Tigers have found new life and want to play spoiler to “The U” in the ACC in 2024. Cade Klubnik, their quarterback, is a big reason for the upgrade. Klubnik led Clemson to its sixth straight victory this weekend over Virginia. The senior threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-31 win. Clemson is on a bye this week before they welcome in Louisville next week.
#5 Bryson Daily QB, Army
Bryson Daily isn’t the first candidate to make our Top 5 list from honorable mention. Daily showed up once again and helped keep the Black Knights undefeated in their 45-28 win over East Carolina. He continues to get it done on the ground and through the air. Daily rushed for five touchdowns and threw another in the win over the Pirates. His five rushing touchdowns tied a team record. His big game earned him top honors as the AP Player of the Week. The Black Knights are currently undefeated and ranked No. 23 in the country. They have a bye this week before they welcome the Air Force Academy next week to Michie Stadium.
#4 Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado
Travis Hunter continues to nurse a sore shoulder and only played in the first half of Colorado’s win over Arizona. Fox sideline reporter Allison Williams described the move as precautionary, noting that Hunter had a “slight reaggravation” of the shoulder injury from last week’s 31-28 loss to Kansas State, which sidelined him for most of that game. “They’re being cautious with him given the circumstances,” Williams said. “They want to be safe, so he’s done for the day.” The injury has impacted our voter’s perceptions of Hunter; he continued to fall this week after reaching the #1 spot a few weeks ago. Colorado is on the Big 12 After Dark game this week as they host Cincinnati in Boulder.
#3 Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Who’s afraid of Purdue? Maybe the Buckeyes, but the Oregon Ducks had no problem in their 35-0 win over the Boilermakers on Friday night. Dillon Gabriel continues to lead a potent Ducks offense with their sights set on a Big Ten Championship and possibly the #1 seed in the College Football Playoff bracket. The Ducks had their way on offense. Gabriel finished the game with 290 yards passing and two touchdowns and helped the Ducks average seven yards per play in running up 421 yards of offense. Oregon returns home to Autzen to face a tough Illinois squad that feels good after knocking off Michigan in Champaign last weekend.
#2 Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Where would the Hurricanes be without Cam Ward? Ward considered foregoing this college football season and putting his name in the NFL Draft. Luckily for the Hurricanes, he decided to take his talents to Coral Gables. Miami is currently undefeated and sitting alone atop the ACC standings. It has not been pretty, and their defense has been covering your eyes badly at times, including this weekend on the road against Louisville. The Hurricanes won a shootout 52-45 over the Cardinals largely due to their quarterback’s play. Ward threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns and became the first Hurricane in history to throw for at least 300 yards in seven consecutive games. Miami welcomes Flordia State to Hard Rock Stadium this weekend. It has an opportunity to ensure that the Seminoles, the defending ACC Champions, will not even be bowl-eligible this season.
#1 Ashton Jeanty, QB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty continues to lock our top spot in our Heisman poll. Jeanty and the Broncos were on a bye this week but will have a big Friday night matchup in Las Vegas when they play UNLV. The game will be at 10:30 pm Eastern. Although Jeanty was not on the field this week, he did announce that he was launching The Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football. He is looking to help support future Broncos. What an amazing running back and young man.
