Three elite Pac-12 quarterbacks have settled into the top three spots of this week’s Heisman watch.
1. Caleb Williams | USC QB | Junior | Last week: 2 (+1)
Caleb Williams basically plays flawless every week, and he’s coming off five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) in USC’s 42-28 win against Arizona State. Next up, a high-profile matchup with Colorado this Sunday at noon ET (so an early-morning game for Williams’ time zone).
Season stats:
74.3% | 1,200 PASS YDS | 15 PASS TD
21 CAR | 71 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 3.4 AVG
2. Michael Penix Jr. | Washington QB | Senior | Last week: 3 (+1)
The passing attack of Washington led by Michael Penix Jr. has shown no sign of being able to be stopped. The senior quarterback didn’t throw for over 400 yards for the first time this season in last week’s win over Cal, but he still eclipsed 300 yards with four touchdowns for a Huskies team rising in the polls.
Season stats:
74.6% | 1,636 PASS YDS | 16 PASS TD | 2 INT
6 CAR | 14 RUSH YDS | 2.3 AVG
3. Bo Nix | Oregon QB | Senior | Last week: NR
Aside from his first interception of the year while trying to fit a ball into zone coverage down the left sideline, Bo Nix was perfect in the rout of Colorado, going 28/33 for 276 yards and three touchdowns along with a score on the ground. There’s no question that Oregon has the more talented team overall, but Nix’s performance with Heisman hopeful Shedeur Sanders on the other side could provide a boost for his candidacy.
Season stats:
79.4% | 1,169 PASS YDS | 11 PASS TD | 1 INT
16 CAR | 69 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 4.3 AVG
4. Quinn Ewers | Texas QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 4
Quinn Ewers scored once through the air and once on the ground as Texas dismantled Baylor, 38-6. Coming up, the redshirt sophomore has two consecutive ranked matchups versus Kansas and Oklahoma that could help him continue building his case to be in Heisman consideration.
Season stats:
64.3% | 1,033 PASS YDS | 9 PASS TD
18 CAR | 34 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 3.4 AVG
5. Jordan Travis | Florida State QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: NR
Jordan Travis has led Florida State to big wins over LSU and Clemson through four games, with the Clemson win being the program’s first in the rivalry since 2014. The Seminoles defense came up big to help force overtime, and Travis was clutch with the game-winning touchdown to Keon Coleman.
Season stats:
61.2% | 1,028 PASS YDS | 10 PASS TD | 1 INT
23 CAR | 94 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 4.1 AVG
Dropped out:
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman