Ashton Jeanty was good, not spectacular, in a big Boise State win at UNLV. The cost is six first-place votes in this week’s Heisman straw poll.
Cam Ward was good, not spectacular, in Miami’s expected drubbing of rival Florida State. That cost Ward two first-place votes, nine second-place votes and three ballots that no longer include him.
And Travis Hunter? He was pretty close to spectacular, especially on the offensive end, in Colorado’s win over Cincinnati. That’s a gain of eight first-place votes and four second-place votes. Things are tighter at the top of this fascinating Heisman Trophy race, which is fitting for this 2024 season, as November approaches.
One of those three players — the Group of 5 running back, the receiver/defensive back for the so-so team and the quarterback of the undefeated title contender — is likely to walk away with the award when it is handed out Dec. 14 in New York.
But it’s also early and open enough for Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, two quarterbacks of undefeated title contenders, to make runs (yes, for the millionth time, Indiana is a title contender). Gabriel is fourth in this week’s straw poll while Rourke fell out after missing IU’s home win over Washington. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said Monday he’s “optimistic” about Rourke’s return for Saturday’s game at Michigan State.
If it’s anyone but those five, someone is about to have one incredible month of football.
Jeanty remains in first place with 66 points, down from 72 last week. Hunter jumps from 27 points to 52, leapfrogging Ward, who dropped from 44 points to 28. So Jeanty’s margin is cut in half, from 28 points to 14 points. The Athletic follows the same voting protocol as that of the Heisman: three points for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, one point for a third-place vote.
| Player | Team | Pos | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ashton Jeanty
|
 Boise State |
RB
|
15
|
9
|
3
|
66
|
|
Travis Hunter
|
 Colorado |
WR/CB
|
9
|
10
|
5
|
52
|
|
Cam Ward
|
 Miami |
QB
|
2
|
4
|
14
|
28
|
|
Dillon Gabriel
|
 Oregon |
QB
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
14
|
|
Kaleb Johnson
|
 Iowa |
RB
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
Ward got two first-place votes and Gabriel got one. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson was the only other player who received a vote, second place on one ballot for two points.
Jeanty had 33 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ 29-24 win, which strengthens their position as the Group of 5’s top College Football Playoff hopeful. But he needed more absurd numbers and/or highlights to strengthen his Heisman case. The overall numbers remain exactly that — 1,376 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing.
Jeanty has four games against lesser competition before a regular-season finale against Oregon State and expected Mountain West title game opportunity, possibly against UNLV. He’s basically a lock to get to New York, but to leave it with the trophy? The Barry Sanders single-season records of 2,628 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns probably at least need to feel threatened, while Sanders is further evoked with some of Jeanty’s jaunts into opposing secondaries.
Hunter, now clearly past a sore shoulder, capitalized with nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns, adding four pass break-ups on defense. He was the best player on the field. He’s always the best player on the field, and no team demands more of a single player.
Generational.#Big12FB | @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/jULOO67wZ4
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 28, 2024
Hunter resumed demonstrating that against the Bearcats. With the Buffs playing at a higher level and holding onto slim Big 12 title hopes, his position has improved.
Ward threw for 208 yards and caught a touchdown against the hapless Seminoles. Gabriel threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown, against overmatched Illinois. If a quarterback is going to ruin the potential for a non-traditional winner, he’s going to do it with greatness in the biggest moments.
That likely means conference title games for Ward and Gabriel, because their teams shouldn’t be challenged until then (pending the forecast on Nov. 16 in Madison, Wis., which will see the Ducks visiting the Badgers). Rourke has Michigan (which is still a brand-name opportunity) and at Ohio State in back-to-back weeks.
If he leads the Hoosiers to wins and gets a crack at Gabriel in the Big Ten title game? Those teams may be safely in the Playoff, but that game could have two trophies at stake.
(Photo: Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images)
