As the college football season hits the grueling stretch of mid-October, the Heisman Trophy race is officially turning into a weekly roller coaster. Week 8 delivered high-stakes drama, defensive masterclasses, and statement performances that shook up the leaderboard. While front-runners fought through tough defensive battles and others capitalized on breakout nights under the lights, the path to New York is narrowing, and the margin for error has never been smaller.

Jeremiah Smith

Smith had a great opportunity to practically lock in the Heisman this weekend. Instead, the Indiana defense proved to be a challenge, and Smith tallied 4 catches for 68 yards. The Buckeyes got the win, and Smith remains in the first spot. However, he didn’t gain much ground this weekend overall as other guys had big performances.

Darian Mensah

326 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception this weekend is a solid performance, and that combined with other quarterbacks behind him having rough outings, Mensah jumped back to second. He’s up to 1,764 yards, 18 touchdowns and 1 interception on the year. Mensah looks like he is headed for NYC in December.

Trinidad Chambliss

Chambliss continues to thrive. The Ole Miss QB threw for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns. He added 4 rushes for 14 yards and a touchdown. He has thrown for 1,676 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He’s added 36 carries for 127 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. As the Rebels continue to win, the heisman hype is going to continue to grow.

Bear Bachmeier

Bachmeier’s stats throwing the ball will not stand out. 1,257 yards, 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. However, he’s added 49 carries, 284 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. Most importantly, BYU is undefeated and a top five team in the country. Bear’s stats will need to improve some down the stretch, but he’s got an inside track to NYC this year.

CJ Carr

Carr had the ultimate opportunity for his heisman moment on Saturday. However, the pass fell incomplete and despite there being a second left, the game ended. Had he gotten one more throw, it’s very possible things would have gone differently. As it stands, Carr has 1,639 yards, 16 touchdowns and 1 interception. He’s added 23 carries, 82 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. He’s going to have plenty of opportunities to get that heisman moment this year.

Jesse Legree

Forty-six receptions, 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns. He leads the country in yards and touchdowns this season. The only reason he isn’t getting more hype? Oregon State. As unfair as it is, Group of 6 teams aren’t going to get as much love. However, Legree is making it impossible to overlook him. Keep in mind that he is outpacing a generational talent in Smith. Legree has every opportunity to continue putting up these kinds of numbers the remainder of the year. He’s also just a freshman.

Malachi Toney

Do we really have a third contender for the heisman from the receiver side of things? Absolutely. Toney has 50 receptions, 758 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season. He added 11 catches for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns this weekend in their 2 overtime win over Florida State.

Drew Mestemaker

Mestemaker has 1,940 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this season through the air. He’s added 21 carries, 142 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Despite the loss to Houston this weekend, Mestemaker threw for 365 yards on a 22-34 performance and 3 touchdowns. He did have 1 interception. He has thrown for 300 or more yards in every game since the week 1 loss against Tulsa.

Who are your Heisman finalists this season?