The Heisman Finalists 🏆

12/07/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

The 2023 Heisman Trophy Ceremony (Sat. 8:00 pm ET, ESPN) Will Be Decided by 1 Factor in the Minds of Voters…

It’s Heisman time! One of the most coveted pieces of hardware in all of sports gets a new recipient on Saturday night. The four finalists were revealed on Monday, and they include the three names we featured in last week’s Heisman race preview. It’s three quarterbacks — Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and Bo Nix (Oregon) — as well as Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. So who will join the famed ‘Heisman House’ as the 58th living member of the illustrious fraternity? It’ll come down to one determining factor in the minds of the 927 voters (870 media + 57 past winners)…

The Determining Factor: Wins

By stats alone, LSU’s Jayden Daniels is the runaway Heisman favorite. You can see his stat margins with a quick glance (below), and his 50-TD season rivals some of the best ever on paper. On top of that, Daniels’ eye test beats everyone else with his flashy brilliance as a runner, amassing more than 1,000 yards with his legs. But the only thing that could twist his Heisman fate is if voters lean towards Michael Penix Jr. due to his spotless record. Penix Jr.’s Washington squad is 13-0 and headed to the College Football Playoff while Daniels’ LSU squad is 9-3. As the leader of the Huskies’ CFP bid, some voters could be swayed to lean in Penix Jr.’s direction, but will it be enough? Daniels has the better case. No disrespect to Nix or Harrison Jr., but they’re simply not going to get enough votes. Nix was the favorite just a few weeks ago, but Oregon’s second loss to Washington flipped the odds.

The Heisman is an individual award (not team wins). And if voting integrity maintains that posture, welcome to the Heisman House, Jayden Daniels.

Updated Heisman Odds

QB Jayden Daniels (LSU): -1400 Odds

QB Michael Penix Jr. (WASH): +900 Odds

QB Bo Nix (ORE): +2200 Odds

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (OSU): +20000 Odds

The Heisman Breakdown

QB Jayden Daniels (LSU)

Stats: 4,946 Yards | 50 TDs | 4 INTs | 72.2 Completion % | 95.6 QBR | Record: 9-3

QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)

Stats: 4,218 Yards | 36 TDs | 9 INTs | 65.9 Completion % | 83.4 QBR | Record: 13-0

QB Bo Nix (Oregon)

Stats: 4,373 Yards | 46 TDs | 3 INTs | 77.2 Completion % | 91.0 QBR | Record: 11-2

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State)

Stats: 67 Receptions | 1,211 Yards | 14 TDs | 18.1 Yards Per Catch | Record: 11-1

Heisman Trophy Ceremony

Saturday Night (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Sporting News: The Case For & Against Each 2023 Heisman Trophy Finalist

Photo: Name / Getty Images