Cam Ward Remains Top 3 Heisman Favorite Heading into Week 10

The Heisman race remains a tight one as we head into Week 10 of the season and Hurricanes standout Quarterback, Cam Ward, remains in the top three in odds based on FanDuel. Travis Hunter leaped into second place this weekend after a big game and a more pedestrian performance from Ward.

Despite helping lead Miami to remain perfect in their 2024 campaign, Ward had arguably his worst game of the season. Saturday night was the first time he failed to surpass the 300-yard mark (208 yards passing) and throw a touchdown, turned in his lowest rating of the season (112.8), and rushed for a season-low -4 yards.

Ward did manage however to nab his first career TD reception and he recorded the most important stat, a win. When we zoom out and take a look at the season at large, Ward can still be considered the best QB and player in the nation. He's currently second in passing yards to Chandler Morris of North Texas, 2,873 yards to 2,746.

Ward is also second to Morris in touchdown passes, 26 versus 24. From an efficiency standpoint though, Ward is nip and tuck with Morris despite 70 fewer pass attempts and 33 completions and three fewer interceptions. In comparison just between the two, Morris ranks 28th in the nation in Pass Efficiency while Ward ranks seventh.

1. Dillon Gabriel

+230

2. Travis Hunter

+270

3. Cam Ward

+300

Current Heisman favorite, Dillon Gabriel is now fifth in the nation in Pass Efficiency with a score of 174.83. Gabriel has been more efficient but with only 29 fewer pass attempts his volume stats are significantly lower, with 6 fewer touchdowns 375 fewer yards and the same number of interceptions.

On the rushing side, Gabriel has added 97 yards (2.7 YPC) and five touchdowns while Ward has rushed for 186 yards (4.4 YPC) and three touchdowns. On a more even note, both have taken care of the ball on the ground with zero fumbles lost this season.

If we're just evaluating quarterback play, it's hard to identify anyone who's playing better than Ward in the 2024 season. Ward has a combination of volume and efficiency stats, he's scoring in every way imaginable (passing, running, and now catching), he's not turning the ball over, and he's leading an 8-0 team.

Hunter doing what he is on both sides of the ball throws a wrinkle in there that we don't see every year, but it's worth noting that eight of the last ten Heisman winners have been quarterbacks. As it stands today, Ward is still primed to have a shot to take home two valuable pieces of hardware this year.

If we get a Gabriel versus Ward playoff matchup, we may just see who takes control of the Heisman trophy that night.