The race for college football's most prestigious individual award has taken a significant turn, with Miami quarterback Darian Mensah emerging as the new favorite to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy. According to BetMGM's latest published Week 10 odds, Mensah leads the field at +150, moving ahead of Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who sits at +275. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney follows closely at +325, giving the Hurricanes two of the top three contenders.
Mensah's rise comes amid an impressive undefeated season for Miami, which earned the No. 1 spot in the initial College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday. Through eight games, Mensah has thrown for 2,425 yards, 25 touchdowns and just one interception while helping lead the Hurricanes to an 8-0 record. His latest performance strengthened his Heisman case.
Mensah completed 22 of 29 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in Miami's 38-35 victory over North Carolina on Saturday. Meanwhile, Smith's pursuit of the award has encountered an unexpected challenge following an injury to Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin suffered an injury to his throwing arm against Indiana and is expected to miss multiple weeks, leaving the Buckeyes without their starting quarterback during a crucial stretch of the season.
The absence has affected Ohio State's passing attack and created additional uncertainty surrounding Smith's Heisman candidacy. Smith recorded 10 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Buckeyes' 30-18 loss to USC on Saturday, but his production has fallen short of the dominant performances that previously made him the award's leading contender. The Miami quarterback's emergence also creates an intriguing situation within his own program.
Toney has recorded 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, putting him firmly in the Heisman conversation alongside his quarterback. The Hurricanes now face perhaps their biggest test of the season Saturday when they travel to Notre Dame for a nationally televised matchup. With both Mensah and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr among the Heisman contenders, the game could significantly influence the race.
Mensah has positioned himself as the player to beat, but with several important games remaining, the Heisman Trophy is still far from decided. Saturday's showdown gives him an opportunity to strengthen his lead and take another major step toward bringing college football's most coveted individual award back to Miami.
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