Week 10 of the college football season delivered in a huge way. As a result, there was a major shakeup in the Heisman Trophy race.
From CJ Carr to Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney, Notre Dame-Miami was set to be filled with Heisman hopefuls. Carr got the last laugh, though, securing a season-altering win for the Fighting Irish while outdueling Mensah, who was without Toney due to injury.
Record-breaking receiver Jeremiah Smith, the frontrunner for the Heisman most of the season, is starting to see his candidacy dwindle due to Ohio State's recent struggles. The Buckeyes' College Football Playoff hopes are virtually nonexistent after starting quarterback Julian
Sayin was hurt against Indiana, with backup true freshman Luke Fahey struggling to feed Smith.
Notre Dame's must-win game vs. Miami was huge not only for its CFP hopes, but also for its biggest star's potential Heisman moment.
USA TODAY Sports takes a pulse of the Heisman race every week of the college football season. Here's a look at the latest power rankings:
1. CJ Carr, Notre Dame ⬆️ (1)
Carr was the best player on the field in Notre Dame-Miami, leading the Fighting Irish to a huge win over their historic rival after passing for 319 yards with three touchdowns in the 31-24 win.
Notre Dame desperately needed the win, as another loss without a signature win could've resulted in disaster for its CFP hopes. The only thing holding back Carr's candidacy at the Heisman, too, was a signature performance, which he delivered against the Hurricanes.
Carr now has 2,168 passing yards with 24 total touchdowns to one interception this season, while ranking seventh nationally in QBR (84.5). He's having a strikingly similar season to Fernando Mendoza's Heisman-winning season in 2025, and he might also be the top quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.
2. Darian Mensah, Miami ↔️ (2)
Mensah has virtually stayed at No. 2 in the Heisman race all season, thanks to his best-in-class production this season. Mensah is still missing a Heisman moment and a signature win this season, though.
Mensah has 2,694 passing yards with 28 passing touchdowns to two interceptions on the year while ranking first nationally with an 89.1 QBR. He threw for 269 yards with three touchdowns to an interception against Notre Dame in Week 10, but was held to 24-of-43 passing (55.8%).
Mensah was without Toney, which ultimately hurt his Heisman chances and Miami's chances at a win. While not entirely his fault, Mensah is running out of chances to win the narrative side of the award, especially with Miami's weak schedule.
3. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State ⬆️ (8)
Drew Mestemaker is back into the top tier, thanks to Oklahoma State's high-powered win vs. Kansas State and to a few losses at the top of the power rankings.
Mestemaker now leads the country with 29 passing touchdowns after tossing for four scores against Kansas State in Week 10, while rushing for another in the huge 66-28 win. The first-year transfer from North Texas went for over 300 passing yards for the seventh consecutive game, and now ranks second nationally in passing yards (2,962).
An upset win over Texas Tech in Week 11 has the potential to be another huge win for Mestemaker, who already led Oklahoma State over Oregon this season.
4. Devon Dampier, Utah ⬆️ (NR)
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier makes a huge swing in the ranking, mostly due to the Utes' surprising 9-0 start and No. 2 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
Dampier also delivered against in-state rival BYU in Week 10, putting up 266 total yards — 177 passing, 89 rushing — with four touchdowns in Utah's 28-20 win.
The win puts Utah in quite the spot in both the CFP and Big 12 championship race, and Dampier enters the Heisman race as a result. The former New Mexico quarterback now has 2,053 passing yards with 20 touchdowns to seven interceptions this season, along with 103 carries for 482 yards with seven scores.
5. Gunner Stockton, Georgia ⬆️ (7)
Georgia looks like the best team in the country right now, which makes quarterback Gunner Stockton a Heisman candidate.
Stockton scored five total touchdowns in Georgia's huge 42-7 win over Ole Miss in Week 10, although he only threw or ran a combined 21 times in the game. The second-year starter has been efficient this season, with 22 total touchdowns to four interceptions this season.
Stockton won't wow anyone on the field, but he leads an offense that is capable of putting up huge numbers on anyone.
6. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State ⬇️ (1)
Smith looked like a runaway for the Heisman before Sayin's injury — an unfortunate turn of events for one of college football's most-dominant teams and receivers in recent memory.
Ohio State likely won't be in the CFP and Fahey hasn't shown a consistent ability to get Smith the ball. Smith still ranks second nationally with 1,200 receiving yards and tied-for first nationally with 14 touchdown receptions, but his Heisman candidacy is disappearing fast unless things change just as quickly for the Buckeyes offense.
7. Keelon Russell, Alabama ⬆️ (NR)
Keelon Russell has looked more himself in recent weeks, with back-to-back 3-touchdown games against Texas A&M and LSU.
The first-year starting quarterback only trails Mensah in QBR this season (86.4) and is up to 23 total touchdowns to five interceptions on the season. Russell's talent is undeniable, but it's more likely he's one of the favorites to win the award next season than in 2026.
8. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina ⬆️ (NR)
Shane Beamer was sitting on one of the hottest seats in college football after South Carolina blew a double-digit lead to Kentucky on Oct. 3. Since, in large part due to quarterback LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks have won four consecutive games and are back in the CFP picture, even.
Sellers has been outstanding the last few weeks, looking like a first-round talent again. The third-year starter has 15 total touchdowns during South Carolina's win streak, and is also enjoying the best rushing season of his career, with 637 rushing yards and seven scores.
Sellers suffered an ankle injury in South Carolina's 17-9 win over the Aggies that'll be worth monitoring, but if he's good to go, he'll be in the race until further notice.
9. Gio Lopez, Wake Forest ⬆️ (10)
Breakout quarterback Gio Lopez was held out of Wake Forest's matchup with FCS Merrimack in Week 1 due to an injury, but coach Jake Dickert said he thinks Lopez will be ready for the Demon Deacons' game against SMU in Week 11.
Lopez has 2,178 passing yards with 24 total touchdowns to one interception this season despite missing a stat-pad game against Merrimack. He has also led Wake Forest to ACC title contention and a potential CFP berth, which keeps his name in the Heisman power rankings.
10. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss ⬇️ (4)
Trinidad Chambliss is regarded as one of the best overall players in college football. Unfortunately, Ole Miss' CFP hopes are hanging in the balance right now.
Chambliss hasn't played his best in the Rebels' two recent losses to Texas and Georgia, with the second-year Ole Miss starter scoring only two total touchdowns to four turnovers combined in those losses. Ole Miss can still make the CFP, but with its best wins being against LSU and Missouri, it might not be enough to make the 12-team field as a 3-loss team.
Chambliss is out of chances against high-tier teams, too, with a remaining schedule against Oklahoma, Wofford and Mississippi State.
- Dropped off list: Malachi Toney (3), Sam Leavitt (5), Jesse Legree (9)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman power rankings: CJ Carr vaults up list after signature performance
