Heisman Watch: in what world is CJ Carr a better Heisman candidate than Malachi Toney?

Originally, this week's Heisman watch was going to be about Darian Mensah's chance to lock up the Heisman Trophy if Malachi Toney can't play, even though NONE of us want that to happen. Then I took a look at the FanDuel odds this week and CJ Carr (+700) has better odds than Toney (+800).

How does that happen?

I get that Carr is a Notre Dame quarterback and gets all the perks that come with that position, but he just threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns against Navy. That's pretty much what Carr does every week — pedestrian numbers. He is a very good game manager and I think nothing away from his general ability. But he's not a Heisman player. Carr hasn't had a Heisman performance yet this season, just weeks of solid, non-spectacular stat lines.

Compare that to Toney, who leads the Power 4 in catches (73) and touchdowns (13). His 1,027 yards is second only to Jeremiah Smith. He has four games with double-digit receptions, five 100-yard games and four games with at least two touchdown receptions. Those are the numbers of a future Heisman winner. North Carolina did a great job against Toney in Week 9, and he still had seven catches for 75 yards and two scores, including the game-winner. 

The top Heisman contenders according to FanDuel

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (+170)
Miami QB Darian Mensah (+200)
Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (+700)
Miami WR Malachi Toney (+800)
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss (+1000)
LSU QB Sam Leavitt (+3500)
Georgia QB Gunner Stockton (+4000)
Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker (+6000)
Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez (+8000)
Oregon State WR Jesse Legree (+8000)

So what was Carr's 210-yard game against Navy worth? Apparently a shift from the +1900 odds he was at last week. The top 10 players on the odds haven't changed, but the positioning has moved a little bit. Chambliss can make this race very interesting down the stretch with a big performance against Georgia, but it's Mensah that has the opportunity to make the biggest move.

Odds are courtesy of FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Darian Mensah's Heisman hopes could be decided against Notre Dame

Mensah has stayed the closest to Jeremiah Smith and with the quarterback issues that Ohio State is dealing with, he is still the player that has the best chance to overtake Smith as the Heisman favorite.

If this Toney injury is something to worry about, and we won't really know the deal until Saturday night, then this is going to be Mensah's show. In Week 9 against North Carolina, Mensah showed what kind of mettle he had because he had to rally Miami from multiple second-half deficits against the Tar Heels. His composure in those moments was impressive. The North Carolina home crowd was making things tough and Bill Belichick was throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Hurricanes quarterback. 

North Carolina was a test, but Notre Dame is going to be the final exam. If Mensah can show the same leadership and maturity in leading the Hurricanes to a win at South Bend, it'll be hard to deny him the Heisman. 

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