USC Quarterback Caleb Williams has a new Heisman contender breathing down his neck: Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
The two are now co-favorites at most sportsbooks to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy, with matching +380 odds at FanDuel.
The race is a clear toss-up, especially with the impressive play of Texas’ Quinn Ewers (+600) and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (+1200), both of whom have a chance to win the award.
Williams, the reigning Heisman winner, hasn’t disappointed in 2023 and his stats are arguably better than Penix’s.
Here is the current Heisman race update with all the relevant statistics.
| Candidate | Passing Yards | Passing Touchdowns | Interceptions | Rushing Yards | Rushing Touchdowns | Completion Percentage | QB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams (+380) | 1,200 yards | 15 TDs | 0 INTs | 71 yards | 3 TDs | 74.3 percent | 223.1 |
| Michael Penix Jr. (+380) | 1,636 yards | 16 TDs | 2 INTs | 14 yards | 0 TDs | 74.6 percent | 209.6 |
| Quinn Ewers (+600) | 1,033 yards | 9 TDs | 0 INTs | 34 yards | 3 TDs | 64.3 percent | 168.3 |
| Bo Nix (+1200) | 1,169 yards | 11 TDs | 1 INT | 69 yards | 1 TD | 79.4 percent | 180.5 |
The stats still clearly favor Williams, who leads all four of the Heisman favorites in rushing yards, total touchdowns and quarterback rating.
Where Penix has him beat is in passing yards and passing touchdowns, although he’s thrown 138 passes compared to Williams’ 101.
A lot of that has to do with Washington’s poor defense.
The Huskies allow 5.11 yards per play, one of the worst numbers in the FBS in 2023.
Team success will play a part in this, so Washington will have to prove its worth Oct. 14 against No. 10 Oregon and versus Williams and No. 8 USC on Nov. 4.
Should Washington get through those, Penix Jr. will be the clear favorite.
But that is easier said than done as the PAC-12 features some of the best teams in college football.
USC and Texas also feature similarly difficult remaining schedules, but the Longhorns did down the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier this season, by far their toughest matchup in 2023.