Heisman Watch: Darian Mensah is still setting the pace as serious challengers begin to emerge

Darian Mensah is still the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy, but how much of a favorite is the Miami Hurricanes quarterback in the grand scheme of things? Is the Heisman still a quarterback award with two non-quarterbacks among the top five? Where did the newest dark horse come from this week...and he's just a freshman? 

As we head into Week 3, Mensah is still the clear choice among the oddsmakers, but there was only so much separation he could put together in a half against a team that didn't belong on the field with the Hurricanes. And what about Malachi Toney? He's still at the top of the Rivals/On3 Heisman poll and is quickly gaining steam in the betting markets as well.

How did the Heisman favorites perform in Week 2?

Miami QB Darian Mensah (+480): 14-for-15, 252 passing yards, 3 TDs
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (+700): 8 catches, 164 yards, TD
Texas QB Arch Manning (+750): 23-for-37, 195 passing yards, TD, INT
Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (+950): 16-for-20, 253 passing yards, 4 TDs
Miami WR Malachi Toney (+1100): 4 catches, 96 yards, TD
Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss (+1100): 23-for-26, 225 passing yards, 2 TDs

Mensah's odds improved from +600 and Toney is now in the top five favorites, tying with Chambliss. Smith probably had the best week of any Heisman favorite and even though it came in a loss, he was clearly the best player on the field in a game between two top-five teams expected to make the playoffs.

If there's one area that Smith has an advantage over Mensah and the rest of the field, it's the opportunities for him to show he's the most elite player in a game with several elite players. Ohio State still has Oregon, Indiana and USC on the slate. Iowa and Michigan are also currently ranked. 

Ohio State's other Heisman candidate, quarterback Julian Sayin, seems to be fading at +1600. In Columbus, there's little question that the wide receiver makes the quarterback and not the other way around. Oregon's Dante Moore (+5000) will need a miracle to get back in the picture, but USC quarterback Jayden Maiava (+2500) will have some opportunities to gain traction among the leaders. Sam Leavitt's odds dropped from +1500 to +3300 after throwing three interceptions against Louisiana Tech.

Who was added to the Heisman dark horse watch?

Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor (+2500): 16-fot-22, 227 passing yards, 3 TDs; 86 rushing yards
Missouri QB Austin Simmons (+5000): 19-for-29, 292 yards, 3 TDs
Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon (+8000): 10-for-21, 148 passing yards, 2 TDs
Florida RB Jadan Baugh (+15000): 14 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs

Look at Taylor! He jumped from +8000 to an official second-tier Heisman favorite. He has two good tests upcoming, with a road game against South Carolina and then a September 26 home date with Simmons and Missouri that could be very interesting. Baugh's odds improved slightly, but it doesn't make sense that he's still behind Kewan Lacy (+12500), who has had a very sluggish start to the season. 

Brandon is the true freshman on the list. He's going to have his ups and downs this season, but getting on the board at +8000 bodes well for Tennessee's future. 

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