2023 Heisman Watch: Bo Nix solidifies his spot as Heisman favorite

College Football

Updated Nov. 19, 2023 2:24 a.m. ET

Bo Nix entered Saturday as the Heisman favorite, listed at +110 odds to take home college football‘s most prestigious individual award. Following his incredible performance in Oregon‘s commanding 49-13 win over Arizona State, it’s probably safe to say that the Heisman Trophy is Nix’s to lose at this point.

Nix threw for 404 yards and a career-high six touchdowns — all in the first half — in the Ducks’ victory. His six TD passes tied the Oregon single-game record and gave him 40 total touchdowns (35 passing, five rushing) through 11 games this season.

As special as Nix was on Saturday, he was not alone when it came to standout performances at the quarterback position. LSU‘s Jayden Daniels continued to make his case for the Heisman Trophy as well, as the dual-threat QB put together another jaw-dropping performance in the Tigers’ 56-14 win over Georgia State.

Let’s take a look at how the Heisman favorites performed in Week 12, and how that could shake up the odds next week.

1. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: +110

Nix was the Heisman favorite heading into Week 12, and if he needed to have a big game at Arizona State to remain in that spot, he accomplished the mission. The senior signal-caller was unstoppable Saturday, completing 24 of 29 passes for 404 yards and a jaw-dropping six touchdowns in Oregon’s 49-13 win over the Sun Devils. Nix dazzled from start to finish, leading the Ducks on touchdown drives on all six of their first-half possessions. He finished with touchdown passes of 23, 49, 16, 45, 71 and 16 yards. Nix has now thrown for 35 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.

Next: Vs. Oregon State on Nov. 24.

Bo Nix throws for a career-high six TDs vs. Arizona State

2. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: +320

For a second consecutive week, Daniels had a record-setting performance in an LSU victory. The dual-threat QB accounted for 509 total yards, threw six touchdown passes and rushed for two more to lead LSU to a 56-14 win over Georgia State. Daniels threw for 413 yards while adding a team-high 96 rushing yards on the ground. The Heisman hopeful led LSU to touchdowns on all eight of his possessions before being subbed out late in the fourth quarter. Through 11 games this season, Daniels has totaled 3,577 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, 1,014 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.

Next: Vs. Texas A&M on Nov. 25.

3. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington: +380

Playing in pouring rain for much of the night in Corvallis, Penix and the Huskies didn’t light up the scoreboard like they have so many times throughout this season. However, the senior signal-caller did just enough to lead Washington to a dramatic 22-20 win over Oregon State and a spot in the Pac-12 championship game. Penix completed 13 of 28 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 22 yards and a score on the ground. Penix has totaled three-plus touchdowns in nine of Washington’s 11 games.

Next: Vs. Washington State on Nov. 25.

4. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State: +475

Another game, another touchdown for Marvin Harrison Jr. While the Buckeyes‘ do-it-all wide receiver didn’t have one of his typical jaw-dropping performances Saturday — three catches for 30 yards — he did find the end zone in Ohio State’s 37-3 win over Minnesota, giving him 13 touchdowns through 11 games this season. Harrison won’t be the Heisman favorite heading into the final week of the regular season, but a big-time performance against rival Michigan could provide a big boost to his Heisman chances.

Next: Vs. Michigan on Nov. 25.

Should Michigan be concerned about Ohio State?

5. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: +4000

We are now 12 weeks into the 2023 college football season, and it needs to be said … Carson Beck is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The first-year starter has been exceptional for the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs this season. He was brilliant again on Saturday, completing 24 of 30 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-10 win over Tennessee. Beck has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in four straight games, three of which have come in wins over ranked opponents. Through 11 games this season, he has completed 72.9% of his passes for 3,320 yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and added three rushing scores.

Next: Vs. Georgia Tech on Nov. 25.

Carson Beck, Georgia dominate Tennessee

6. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: +5000

Milroe did what you would expect a Heisman contender to do against a team from the Southern Conference. The dual-threat QB unleashed a 56-yard pass to wide receiver Jermaine Burton on Alabama’s first possession of the game, and it was that kind of day for Milroe and the Tide from that point on. Milroe completed 13 of 16 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out the second half in a 66-10 victory over Chattanooga. It was the most points Alabama has scored since a 66-3 win over Western Carolina in 2019.

Next: Vs. Auburn on Nov. 25.

7. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State: +6000

Travis was carted off the field after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury to his left leg late in the first quarter of the Seminoles‘ game against North Alabama. The senior QB was tackled after a scramble and his leg was caught underneath a defender. Travis was helped up, putting no weight on his leg and both teams came out onto the field as he was placed on the cart with what appeared to be an air cast on his left leg. Tate Rodemaker replaced Travis and threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns in FSU’s 58-13 win.

Next: Vs. rival Florida on Nov. 25.

T8. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: +10000

Corum continued to make his case as the best running back in college football. The Wolverines’ do-it-all back carried the ball 28 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan’s 31-24 victory over Maryland. Corum also added a catch for 9 yards as the Wolverines secured the program’s 1,000th victory — the first school to reach that milestone. While it’s unlikely that a running back will take home this year’s Heisman Trophy, that shouldn’t take away from Corum’s impressive season. Heading into the final week of the regular season, Corum has totaled 888 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, which leads the country. Corum’s 20th rushing score, which came with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter, tied Haasan Haskins‘ single-season school record. He will have the chance to break the record next weekend when the Wolverines take on Ohio State with a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game on the line.

Next: Vs. Ohio State on Nov. 25.

No. 3 Michigan Wolverines vs. Maryland Terrapins Highlights

T8. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: +10000

Gabriel looked outstanding in the first half for Oklahoma on Saturday. The left-handed signal-caller completed 13 of 21 passes for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he suffered what head coach Brent Venables called an upper-body injury just before halftime and sat out the second half of a 31-24 win over BYU. After connecting with Nic Anderson on a 3-yard pass for his first touchdown of the game, Gabriel found Jayden Gibson on a 27-yard strike in the back of the end zone, which marked the 122nd TD pass of his career, passing Ty Detmer for ninth place in NCAA history.

Next: Vs. TCU on Nov. 24.

T8. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: +10000

McCarthy didn’t stuff the stat sheet in a 31-24 win over Maryland on Saturday, but with a solid run game and an opportunistic defense, the junior signal-caller didn’t need to. McCarthy completed 12 of 23 passes for 141 yards and an interception in the victory. Through 11 games this season, McCarthy has thrown for 2,335 yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Next: Vs. Ohio State on Nov. 25.

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