We have reached the midway point of the 2025-2026 college football season, and a lot has changed since week one. Among all of the scoring and chaos of this season, one topic seems to take the crown for being the most debated. Both fans and analysts agree that this year’s Heisman race has completely shaken up the pre-season predictions.

Every year, analysts try to determine who is going to win the coveted Heisman Trophy. However, most of the time their predictions prove to be inaccurate by the end of the season. So far, this season, the predictions have proven to be more inaccurate than usual.

Heading into week one, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning was the 2025 Heisman favorite. However, he has proved to be quite the opposite. Through five games, Manning has completed 55 percent of his passes and thrown for a ratio of 11 touchdowns to five interceptions.

On the surface, these stats seem solid for a quarterback battling in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). But if you dig deeper into his actual situational performance, you realize this isn’t the case. Over the course of the last five games, Manning has shown time and time again he is not ready for the spotlight.

For example, against the Florida Gators just last week, Manning was sacked six times, several of which were caused by his inability to release the football. During key moments of the game he appeared rattled by the Gator crowd and unable to read the defense. This resulted in him standing in the pocket for long periods of time before being taken down by the defense.

These mistakes proved to be costly for the Longhorns eventual 29-21 loss to the Gators.

Arch Manning hasn’t just struggled against SEC opponents; lower level teams have his number as well. Against the UTEP Miners, a low level division one program, Manning had a sequence of ten straight incompletions. This inconsistency combined with an interception during the second quarter resulted in booing from the Texas fans.

Sage Creek student Damian Bobrikov believes that Arch Manning has a lot to work on.

“Manning has underperformed greatly this season and needs to keep improving,” Bobrikov said.

Although the top preseason player has struggled so far, he is not the only one. 

 Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik started the season with the second highest odds to win the award. Although, similarly to Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Klubnik has been rather disappointing.

Just like Manning, Klubnik has had a decent statistical start to the season, completing 64 percent of his passes for ten touchdowns and four interceptions. Despite these stats, Clemson has struggled profusely.

Winning the Heisman isn’t just about individual stats; it’s also about overall team success. Unfortunately for Klubnik, Clemson’s 2-3 record this season has eliminated him from contention.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier held spot number three heading into this season. Just like the two quarterbacks ranked above him, his performance so far has been far from ideal.

In previous seasons, Nussmeier was known for his ability to constantly throw for hundreds of yards every game. This season, he has averaged two hundred thirty yards per game. Just like Cade Klubnik, his team’s overall struggles have removed him from the award race.

The three preseason Heisman favorites are no longer in the race, so who is?

The top three players currently in the race are Miami quarterback Carson Beck, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

All three quarterbacks have had a phenomenal start to their 2025 season.

Dante Moore leads the pack with a touchdown to interception ratio of fourteen to one. Ty Simpson is right behind him with thirteen touchdowns and only one interception. Lastly, Carson Beck has thrown for eleven scores and only three interceptions.

 Each athlete possesses elite physical and mental traits that have set them apart from their opponents.

Sage Creek student and avid football fan Omar Hamzeh Smadi believes Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson will win the award.

 “He is a good field general and has performed well against ranked teams this year,” Smadi said.

 It is almost impossible for anyone to predict who will climb the ladder and win the prestigious trophy. Only time will tell who is able to emerge victorious and become part of college football history.