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Heisman Watch Week 6

Originally posted on The Forkball | By Phillip Riggs | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 11:42 PM ET

Four of the top ten current Heisman contenders who were great last week, had bye weeks in Week 6. Still, there were plenty of great performances in this very young Heisman race. Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Missouri have Heisman candidates who were all off this week.

Heisman Top 5

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior

Mendoza is 89 of 122 for 1,208 yards and 16 touchdowns passing with two rushing. He and the Hoosiers were off this week and play at Oregon next. It will be game that goes a long way in the Heisman race and the chase for the national championship.

Dante Moore, Oregon, Quarterback, Sophomore

Moore is 100 of 134 for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdown passes. Dante Moore and the Ducks had the week off before they host Indiana.

Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee, Wide Receiver, Junior

Brazzell has 31 catches for 531 yards and seven touchdowns. He and the Vols will host Arkansas on Saturday.

Ahmad Hardy, Missouri, Running Back, Sophomore

Hardy has 103 carries for 730 yards, 7.1 per carry, and nine touchdowns. Mizzou and Hardy take on Alabama in Columbia this Saturday in a big test and a significant opportunity for the Tigers.

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore

Smith was the only one of the current top five who was active this week. He’s staying in the race because he keeps catching touchdowns and the Buckeyes keep winning. Smith had seven catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-3 win over Minnesota. He has 35 catches for 464 yards and seven total touchdowns. He and the Buckeyes play at Illinois next.

In the Race

Carson Beck, Miami, Quarterback, Senior

The U’s gunslinging quarterback had his best game of the season in the win over Florida State. Beck was 20 of 27 for 241 yards and four touchdowns in the 28-22 win. Carson Beck is 102 of 139 for 1,213 yards and 11 touchdowns. Beck doesn’t have the biggest numbers, but he has great numbers in marquee matchups, which is why he’s in this race as long as he keeps winning.

Josh Hoover, TCU, Quarterback, Senior

Hoover is 113 of 168 for 1,517 yards and has 15 touchdown passes. He had 275 passing yards and five total touchdowns in TCU’s 35-21 win over Colorado. He and the Horned Frogs will travel to Manhattan to play Kansas State this week.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Sophomore

The Buckeye sharpshooter is the most accurate passer in the FBS. Sayin is 101 of 126 for 1,313 yards and 13 passing touchdowns. He’s completing a whopping 80.2 percent of his passes. Sayin has been better than even optimistic Buckeye fans could have hoped. He and his own teammate in Jeremiah Smith may keep each other from getting the votes they need to win the Heisman.

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor, Quarterback, Senior

Robertson is the reason Baylor is 4-2 and still alive in the Big 12. Baylor trailed Kansas State 31-17 in the fourth quarter, and Robertson brought them back. He would finish the game going 25 of 39 for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Sawyer Robertson is 158 of 248 this year. He leads the nation in passing yards with 2,058 and passing touchdowns with 19.

Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

The play of Simpson has guided Bama’s resurgence after their loss to Florida State. He’s 111 of 158 for 1,478 yards. His 13 touchdown passes are tied for fifth nationally. Ty Simpson had five total touchdowns in Alabama’s victories over Georgia and Vanderbilt.