A QB lovefest: Ranking the Heisman Trophy contenders

Nearly halfway through the 2023 college football season, the Heisman Trophy race is taking shape. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the betting favorite to win at every major sportsbook, per OddsChecker, while reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams — the Southern Cal QB — and Oregon QB Bo Nix are right behind. 

A major reason for Penix's favorite status could be that only one player in the 87-year history of the Heisman Trophy — Ohio State's Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975 — has won the award in back-to-back years. 

Here are Yardbarker's leading contenders in inverse order.

5. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

Season stats: 92-for-145 (63.4 percent), 1,198 passing yards, 12 TD passes, one interception, 119 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Travis started off scorching hot with 380 total yards and five total touchdowns in a thrashing of LSU, but he has cooled since. The Florida State QB is the least efficient passer in this group, but he still merits a spot on this list because FSU (5-0) should finish with at least 10 wins and an ACC title game appearance. 

"When I turn on the film of Florida State, I see a guy that’s in real command of what he has around him," Fox Sports' Joel Klatt said of Travis.

Travis needs a few more monster statistical games to get back in the thick of the race.

4. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Season stats: 131-for-163 (80.4 percent), 1,459 passing yards, 15 TD passes, one interception, 87 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
It took Nix — a transfer from Auburn — five years in college football to finally realize his potential,  but boy has he been impressive. Through five games, Nix has accounted for 16 touchdowns and leads the country in completion percentage. He is decisive, smart with the football and dynamic pushing the ball down the field. The only question is whether he can win enough games to contend for the Heisman.

Oregon (5-0) hasn't played a team ranked in the AP top 25, but it's about to start a stretch of three games against teams ranked 19th or better (at Washington, Washington State, at Utah.) The Ducks then finish the season with two more ranked matchups (Southern Cal, Oregon State) in their last three games.

 If Nix can will Oregon to 10 or 11 wins, he'll be in New York for the Heisman ceremony.

3. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma

Season stats: 141-for-195 (72.3 percent), 1,878 passing yards, 16 TD passes, two interceptions, 208 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Gabriel burst onto the Heisman scene against then-No. 3-ranked Texas on Oct. 7 with 398 total yards and two total touchdowns in an upset win — by far the most impressive victory we've seen from any of these five QBs. 

Although Gabriel racked up most of his stats against bad defenses, it's hard to argue with a 6-0 record and a win against a top-10 team. The left-hander is also the most prolific runner (five rushing TDs) of the bunch. If the passing stats are all similar at the end of the season, Gabriel's rushing could give him a leg up (no pun intended.)

2. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington