2023 Heisman Watch: Michael Penix Jr., Jordan Travis, Bo Nix shine in Week 9

With J.J. McCarthy‘s Michigan Wolverines and Jayden Daniels’ LSU Tigers both on a bye this weekend, it was a golden opportunity for several other Heisman hopefuls to shine bright in Week 9 of the college football season. A trio of senior quarterbacks — Washington‘s Michael Penix Jr., Florida State‘s Jordan Travis and Oregon‘s Bo Nix — did just that.

Penix and Travis put up jaw-dropping numbers as both of their teams remained undefeated, while Nix played a near-perfect game in the Ducks’ impressive 35-6 blowout win over Pac-12 foe Utah. Meanwhile, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Georgia quarterback Carson Beck had impressive showings as well, which should boost their Heisman stock.

Let’s take a look at how the Heisman favorites performed in Week 9 and how that could shake up the odds next week.

1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: +240

McCarthy and the Wolverines had a bye this week.

Next: The Wolverines take on Purdue on Nov. 4.

T2. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington: +300

Washington did not look like the No. 5 team in the nation Saturday night, but when you have Penix under center in a tight ballgame, it’s all good for the Huskies. The talented lefty signal-caller threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns as Washington was able to hold off a fierce comeback attempt and beat Stanford on the road, 42-33. Penix connected with WR Ja’Lynn Polk on two of his touchdown throws, while Rome Odunze and Devin Culp each hauled in a TD pass as well. Penix has thrown at least four touchdown passes in five of Washington’s eight games this season.

Next: The Huskies travel to USC to take on the Trojans on Nov. 4.

T2. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: +300

Daniels and the Tigers had a bye this week.

Next: The Tigers take on Alabama on Nov. 4

4. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State: +800

After getting off to a slow start, Travis and the Seminoles ran off 24 unanswered points in the second quarter and cruised to a 41-16 win over Wake Forest. The senior completed 22 of 35 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 29 yards and a score on the ground. Travis continued to build his connection with Keon Coleman, who hauled in a pair of TD catches in the victory. Florida State has now put up 30-plus points in 14 straight games, the longest active streak in the nation and second in ACC history behind its own run of 17 games from 2012-14.

Next: The Seminoles travel to Pittsburgh on Nov. 4.

5. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: +1200

Gabriel skyrocketed up the Heisman charts following his impressive performance in Oklahoma’s win over Texas back in Week 6. Fast-forward to Week 9, and Gabriel’s Heisman hopes took a major hit following an uninspiring outing in Oklahoma’s 38-33 loss to unranked Kansas on Saturday. The left-hander completed just 14 passes for 171 yards and an interception in the loss. He was impressive in the run game, carrying the ball 14 times for 64 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as the Sooners’ hopes of an undefeated season came to an end.

Next: The Sooners take on Oklahoma State on Nov. 4.

6. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: +1800

Nix’s chances of winning this year’s Heisman Trophy remain alive, as do Oregon’s College Football Playoff chances following a 35-6 blowout of Utah. Nix was outstanding from start to finish on Saturday, completing 24 of 31 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a score on the ground. Nix picked apart Utah’s vaunted defense, leading the Ducks to a win in Salt Lake City for the first time since 2016 and putting an end to the Utes’ 18-game home winning streak.

Next: The Ducks take on Cal on Nov. 4.

Bo Nix, Oregon dominate Utah in 35-6 win

7. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: +2500

Ohio State coach Ryan Day called Harrison “the best football player in the country” following the Buckeyes’ 24-10 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. It’s hard to argue against Day in this instance. Harrison hauled in six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, helping OSU improve to 8-0. The do-it-all junior receiver has had four straight games with at least six catches, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Next: The Buckeyes travel to Rutgers on Nov. 4.

8. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: +3000

Beck and the Bulldogs quieted all doubters with a 43-20 victory over Florida on Saturday. The first-year starter played one of his best games of the season, connecting on 19 of 28 passes for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Bulldogs improved to 8-0 this season and won their 25th straight overall. Beck connected with Ladd McConkey on six passes for 135 yards and one of his two TDs. The two-time defending national champion Bulldogs have now won three in a row and six of seven in this SEC rivalry.

Next: The Bulldogs take on Missouri on Nov. 4.

Georgia DOMINATES on both ends of the field against Florida

9. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: +5000

A dream season for Maye and the Tar Heels has suddenly fallen apart as UNC dropped its second game in a row after starting the year 6-0. Maye played well on Saturday, completing 17 of 25 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns, with another 58 yards and a score on the ground. However, the Tar Heels defense could not hold on in a 46-42 loss to Georgia Tech. It marked the fourth game this season that Maye has thrown for 300-plus yards and two-plus touchdowns, but with the Tar Heels now falling to 6-2, it’s going to be hard for Maye to make up ground in the Heisman race.

Next: The Tar Heels face Campbell on Nov. 4.

T10. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: +8000

Milroe and the Crimson Tide had a bye this week

Next: The Crimson Tide host LSU on Nov. 4.

T10. Caleb Williams, QB, USC, +8000

Williams’ Heisman hopes have taken a massive hit over the past two weeks. He didn’t have his best game on Saturday, but he did find the end zone four times as USC held on to beat Cal, 50-49. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner completed 23 of 40 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground. After combining to throw 21 TD passes in his first five games of the season, Williams has now totaled just four passing TDs in his last four games.

Next: The Trojans host Washington on Nov. 4.