Welcome back to our weekly Heisman Watch for the 2020 college football season. Throughout the season, ESPN.com writers will vote on their top Heisman Trophy candidates.
To get the final rankings, we use the following methodology: 12 voters, five votes each. Points system: five points for first-place votes, four points for second-place votes, three points for third-place votes, two points for fourth-place votes and one point for fifth-place votes.
Voters: Bill Connelly, Heather Dinich, David M. Hale, Sam Khan Jr., Chris Low, Harry Lyles Jr., Ryan McGee, Adam Rittenberg, Alex Scarborough, Mark Schlabach, Tom VanHaaren, Dave Wilson
Total points: 53 (first-place votes: 6/12)
Notable: Jones tossed for 385 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout win over LSU on Saturday. It was an eye-popping — but typical — performance for Bama’s QB. His QBR of 96.3 remains tops in the FBS this season.
Quotable: “It’s hard to express just how well Steve Sarkisian has this offense rolling right now. Mac Jones is a Heisman Trophy favorite, and now DeVonta Smith is making his case for votes.” — Alex Scarborough
Heisman odds: -110
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill
Total points: 53 (first-place votes: 5/12)
Notable: Trask kept pace with Jones in the Heisman battle, throwing for 433 yards and four TDs in a win over Tennessee. One more regular-season game remains before Trask and Jones face off in the SEC championship on Dec. 19.
Quotable: “It is not overstating it to say that Kyle Trask has helped rejuvenate the Gators’ program, taking a star turn at the star position to get Florida back into the SEC championship game.” — Chris Low
Heisman odds: -110
Total points: 27 (first-place votes: 0)
Notable: Lawrence had a solid game in the Tigers’ big win over Virginia Tech — he threw for a TD and ran for two more — but he still has a hill to climb to unseat Jones and Trask.
Quotable: “Given the big games for the guys ahead of him, his Heisman chances are looking increasingly slim. On the upside, Deshaun Watson was twice in the top three in voting without winning it, but he got some better hardware in the end.” — David Hale
Heisman odds: +1400
1:23
Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence accounts for three total touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air, in Clemson’s dominant 45-10 victory over Virginia Tech.
Total points: 24 (first-place votes: 1/12)
Notable: Because the Crimson Tide have so many options on offense, it’s easy to overlook Smith. But it’d be tough to do so after Saturday’s performance against LSU — Smith hauled in eight receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
Quotable: “Obviously it was frustrating seeing a guy get 200 yards in one half,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said of the game.
Heisman odds: +3000
Others receiving votes:
Total points in parentheses: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (9); Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame (6); Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (3); Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo (2); Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State (1); Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida (1)