Why Jeremiah Smith Is Back on Top in Heisman Odds Race

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Jeremiah Smith Moves Back Atop the Heisman Odds

The Heisman race saw significant movement despite no games or injuries affecting the leading candidates. Trinne Chambliss did not play particularly well, while Darian Mensah delivered a solid performance. Jeremiah Smith, meanwhile, recorded more than 130 receiving yards and a touchdown in Ohio State’s loss.

CJ Carr initially moved ahead of the field, with odds around +150, while Mensah sat near +260 or +270. Smith was close behind before becoming the odds-on favorite again at approximately +190 or +200 just a few days later. Smith and Carr essentially flipped positions even though neither is expected to play during conference championship weekend, the final week before voting.

The movement may be tied to a straw poll from The Athletic. Of the 22 reporters surveyed, 16 selected Smith to win the Heisman Trophy. While it was unclear how many participants were Heisman voters, the results offered a read on current voter sentiment.

Carr played the best game of his career against Miami, but questions remain about whether his overall production is strong enough to make him the Heisman favorite. His numbers have been very good without being eye-popping. He was outside the top 10 in the previous week’s straw poll before climbing to second, raising the question of whether one major November performance is being overvalued.

Several preseason and in-season bets were also discussed. Lincoln Kienholz is no longer viewed as a realistic contender. Devin Dampier remains a long-shot possibility at 90-to-1 odds ahead of a difficult game against Arizona. Keyland Russell was backed at 26-to-1 and remains in that general range.

Mensah also drew praise for his second-half performance against Notre Dame. Notre Dame sent heavy pressure, and Miami’s offensive line was not what it had been a year earlier. Even so, Mensah made impressive plays and found a comfort zone as the game progressed.

With Malachi Tony out for the remainder of the regular season, Mensah’s Heisman position could become a larger part of the discussion. Miami still must beat Duke and then handle either Wake or SMU in the ACC championship game.