Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss vaulted into the Heisman odds lead after Ole Miss won a grudge match against LSU on Saturday evening.
Miami QB Darian Mensah, the leader after the first two weeks, is now second and only just behind Chambliss.
Key Takeaways
- Chambliss has more than a 25% chance of winning the Heisman.
- Mensah shortened in odds despite falling behind Chambliss.
- Kamario Taylor is fourth in odds after opening at +12,500.
| Player | Opening Odds | Last Week's Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Chambliss | +1,500 | +1,300 | +290 |
| Darian Mensah | +1,150 | +500 | +370 |
| Jeremiah Smith Jr. | +1,400 | +650 | +1,050 |
| Kamario Taylor | +12,500 | +2,500 | +1,150 |
| Malachi Toney | +3,800 | +1,300 | +1,300 |
| Arch Manning | +750 | +1,000 | +1,400 |
| CJ Carr | +700 | +1,050 | +1,500 |
| Josh Hoover | +1,300 | +1,700 | +2,500 |
| Keelon Russell | +8,000 | +4,800 | +2,500 |
| Julian Sayin | +1,200 | +1,500 | +2,500 |
| Jayden Maiava | +2,500 | +1,900 | +3,000 |
| Gunner Stockton | +1,900 | +2,500 | +3,500 |
Chambliss had been in the Heisman conversation since he decided to return for his sixth collegiate season. But just last week, he found himself trailing four other candidates, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS ARROGANT ARM pic.twitter.com/PiN89NJRIM
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 20, 2026
That quickly changed after the Ole Miss captain put together an iconic performance in Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford as the head coach of LSU. Chambliss went 33-48 for 363 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and ran in the game-winning touchdown with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. He was the best player on the field in a 32-24 upset win that sent Ole Miss to No. 4 in the AP poll.
Improving from +1,300 to +290 odds means that Chambliss is now 18% more likely to win the award than he was last week and has a 25.6% chance overall.
TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS TOOK OVER OXFORD WHEN OLE MISS NEEDED HIM MOST
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 20, 2026
33/48, 363 PYDS, 2 PTD, 1 RUTD, 1 INT VS. NO. 7 LSU
CHAMBLISS HANDED HIS FORMER COACH A LOSS IN KIFFIN’S FIRST TRIP BACK TO OXFORD WITH LSU. https://t.co/v5xtG2Pao9 pic.twitter.com/onYp8uBx1c
Mensah is Chambliss’ primary challenger. He set an ACC record with 24 straight completions to begin last Saturday’s game against Wake Forest, which he ultimately finished 30-34 with 220 yards and three touchdowns. The junior now shortened from +500 to +370 week-over-week, despite relinquishing the lead to Chambliss.
Darian Mensah just made ACC history while keeping No. 5 Miami unbeaten
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 19, 2026
30/34, 220 PYDS, 3 PTD, 0 INT vs. Wake Forest
He completed his first 24 passes, setting ACC records for consecutive completions and consecutive completions to start a game. https://t.co/Kea9kaKGCt pic.twitter.com/rNbYkSH3JL
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Jr. had nearly drawn level with Mensah last week. He was relegated to third place (+1,050) in the updated odds to win the Heisman after he logged five receptions for 85 yards in one half against Kent State. He’s already Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver three games into his junior season.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google accountJeremiah Smith just became Ohio State’s all time leader in career receiving yards
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 19, 2026
5 REC, 85 YDS vs. Kent State
He passed Michael Jenkins’ 2,898 yard record in just his 32nd career game. https://t.co/Kea9kaKGCt pic.twitter.com/VW7tAhx1Yo
The chasing pack
Chambliss’ rise to the top of the board is a well-earned headline. But almost as impressively, Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor, a sophomore and first-year starter, has shot into fourth with +1,150 odds.
Mississippi State, currently ranked 24th in the country, has not had a winning season since 2022. Taylor helped guide them to a 3-0 start and played his most impressive game of the season thus far on Saturday, going 18-26 for 251 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in an emphatic comeback victory against South Carolina. Taylor was only +12,500 in preseason Heisman odds.
Kamario Taylor just led Mississippi State all the way back from 16 down in its SEC opener
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 20, 2026
18/26, 251 PYDS, 4 PTD, 33 RUYDS, 1 INT vs. South Carolina
The Bulldogs erased a 16 to 0 deficit to win 41 to 34 and move to 3-0. https://t.co/Kea9kaKGCt pic.twitter.com/pnrHzE2LHV
Miami WR Malachi Toney rounds out the top five at +1,300, the same value he had one week ago. He had 12 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's win against Wake Forest.
Outside of the top five, a pair of preseason quarterback favorites, Arch Manning and CJ Carr, both dropped in the ongoing race.
Manning was listed at +750 in the preseason and +1,000 after beating Ohio State two weekends ago, but he did not shine in a 30-6 win against UTSA, in which he finished 17-33 for 164 yards passing, 50 yards rushing, and two touchdowns.
Carr, the preseason favorite (+700) who was at +1,050 last week, fell to +1,500 after going 18-24 for 234 yards with a rushing touchdown in a win against Michigan State.
Further down the board, Alabama QB Keelon Russell shortened from +4,800 to +2,500; Julian Sayin regressed from +1,500 to +2,500; and Sam Leavitt lengthened from +2,500 to +5,000.
