College Town Touch down

There is a new Heisman trophy front runner in college football.

Any takeaway from changing odds and new “favorites” must be met with the idea that betting is a free market. Large wagers from fans can dictate a change in odds- but it must be remembered that fans are quickly impressed. An impressive win in a tough environment is what earned your new Heisman leader his spot.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is the new leader in the Heisman house, and after leading the Ducks to a win in one of the most hostile environments in college football, we know why. He remained cool through the ups and downs of their win in State College against number 3 Penn State. He didn’t turn the ball over and threw for three touchdowns and 248 yards. He added 35 yards on the ground. Moore has thrown 14 touchdowns and just 1 interception all season. He’s been the most consistent player on the most consistent team in the country. There is a lot of football to be played in 2025 but Moore is an early player to watch that could hoist the coveted trophy at the end of the year.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a close second to Moore, again emphasizing how reactive the market can be to recent events. Simpson and the Crimson Tide went into Athens and beat the Georgia Bulldogs, who at the time were 5th in the nation. He scored three total touchdowns in that game, and has yet to turn the ball over all season. He will be battle tested by the end of the season in the SEC, and quickly too. Alabama hosts undefeated Vanderbilt next, then two more ranked opponents in Missouri and Tennessee. They also play South Carolina, LSU, and 5th ranked Oklahoma before a tune up game, then a dance with rival Auburn. If Simpson comes out of that schedule relatively unscathed, you can hand him the trophy immediately.

Rounding out the top 5 is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Miami quarterback Carson Beck, and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It’s a quarterback’s award usually, and Smith may be an indication that bettors are hopeful to see something unique because his numbers simply are not to the standard of a Heisman winning receiver. Beck’s Hurricanes play rival Florida State this week and his performance can vault him into the top spot or send him spiraling out of relevance. Mendoza did enough to get the Hoosiers a gritty road win against Iowa, an environment that can sneak up on even the best Big Ten teams.

This week’s games will introduce some new names into the top 5, however the market sees fit. For these Heisman hopefuls, the season is now bigger than ever before.