College Football

2023 Heisman Watch: Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. enjoy big-time performances

Updated Sep. 24, 2023 3:38 a.m. ET

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Week 4 of the college football season lived up to the hype, as fans were treated to plenty of exciting games and outstanding individual performances.

Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. continued his incredible start to the season, while Oregon's Bo Nix put on a show of his own in the Ducks' impressive win over Colorado.

Let's take a look at how the Heisman favorites performed in Week 4 and how that could shake up the odds next week.

1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC: +360

The Trojans did not look sharp on Saturday, but Williams did his part in the team's 42-28 win over Arizona State. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner completed 20 of 31 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding two scores on the ground in the victory. Two of Williams' touchdown passes went to Brenden Rice, who finished with a team-best seven catches for 133 yards. Williams has now totaled 18 touchdowns (15 passing, three rushing) in four games this year.

Next: The Trojans travel to Colorado to take on the Buffaloes on Sept. 30.

USC's Caleb Williams throws an UNREAL 29-yard TD vs. Arizona State

2. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington: +500

Is there a more impressive player in the country through four weeks than Penix? Washington's senior signal-caller continues to put up video game numbers every week. Penix was at it again Saturday, completing 19 of 25 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns in Washington's 59-32 win over Cal. He has now thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in every game this season. Through four weeks, Penix is completing 75% of his passes for 1,606 yards and 16 touchdowns as the Huskies are off to a 4-0 start.

Next: The Huskies are Arizona on Sept. 30.

3. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: +700

Ewers continued his outstanding start to the 2023 campaign with a near-perfect showing in Texas' dominant 38-6 blowout win over Baylor. The redshirt sophomore completed 18 of 23 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 16 yards and a score on the ground. Through four games this season, Ewers has thrown for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also added three rushing TDs as Texas is off to its first 4-0 start since 2012.

Next: The Longhorns host Kansas on Sept. 30.

4. Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame: +1000

Hartman had a solid game on Saturday, but his numbers didn't compare to the jaw-dropping stats the former Wake Forest QB posted in his first four outings this season. Notre Dame's senior signal-caller completed 17 of 25 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown in the team's crushing 17-14 loss to Ohio State. Hartman's TD pass came with 8:44 remaining in the game when he connected with Rico Flores for a 2-yard score. 

Next: The Fighting Irish are at No. 18 Duke on Sept. 30.

5. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State: +1500

Travis and the Seminoles are officially the class of the ACC. The senior QB threw for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Florida State to a 31-24 win over Clemson. Travis hit Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman for a perfect 24-yard touchdown pass in overtime as the Seminoles put an end to a seven-game losing streak to Clemson. Travis also added a rushing touchdown as the Seminoles QB passed former Heisman winner Chris Weinke for the most touchdowns in program history. Through four games, Travis has totaled 1,208 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air, while adding 94 rushing yards and two rushing TDs.

Next: The Seminoles host Virginia Tech on Oct. 7.

Did Florida State's win over Clemson EXPOSE weaknesses?

6. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: +1800

Following an incredible three-week stretch to open the 2023 college football season, Sanders came back down to earth in a 42-6 loss to No. 10 Oregon. The talented junior signal-caller was under pressure all day as the Ducks sacked Sanders seven times in the loss. He finished 23-of-33 for 159 yards and a touchdown, which came with 2:51 remaining to help the Buffs avoid the shutout. This marked just the fifth time in 28 career games that Sanders has been held to less than 200 yards passing.

Next: The Buffaloes host No. 5 USC on Sept. 30.

7. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: +2000

Nix's Heisman campaign got a big boost Saturday as the Oregon QB played near-perfect football in the Ducks' 42-6 win over No. 19 Colorado. Nix finished the game 28-of-33 for 276 yards and three passing touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score. The do-it-all senior led his team on three straight scoring drives to start the game as the Ducks were dominant from start to finish. Through four games this season, Nix is completing 79% of his passes for 1,169 yards and 11 passing touchdowns. 

Next: The Ducks are at Stanford on Sept. 30.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado suffer tough loss vs. Bo Nix, Oregon

8. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: +2200

Daniels was fantastic in LSU's 34-31 win over Arkansas on Saturday. The Tigers' dual-threat QB completed 20 of 29 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns. He helped guide an impressive nine-play, 72-yard drive, which led to the Tigers' game-winning field goal with five seconds remaining. Daniels has already thrown 1,296 yards and 12 game touchdowns in four games.

Next: The Tigers are at Ole Miss on Sept. 30.

9. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: +2500

McCarthy didn't stuff the stat sheet on Saturday, but he did play much better one week after throwing a career-high three interceptions. The talented junior QB completed 15 of 21 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown in Michigan's 31-7 victory over Rutgers. McCarthy added 51 yards on the ground as the Wolverines totaled more than 200 rushing yards. Michigan has now won 19 straight home games, its longest streak since winning 21 in a row from 1998-2001.

Next: The Wolverines are at Nebraska on Sept. 30.

10. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: +2800

Harrison had a quiet outing on Saturday, hauling in just three catches for 32 yards. However, one of those catches came with less than a minute remaining as part of a 15-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off with a game-winning score with one second left to give the Buckeyes a memorable 17-14 win over Notre Dame. Harrison injured his leg early in the third quarter when he got rolled up while blocking on TreVeyon Henderson's 61-yard touchdown run. He was able to return on the next series. The talented wide receiver has now totaled 17 catches for 336 yards and three touchdowns through four games.

Next: The Buckeyes host Maryland on Oct. 7.

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College Football

North Carolina Tar Heels

Drake Maye

J.J. McCarthy

Michigan Wolverines

Bo Nix

Sam Hartman

Oregon Ducks

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Cade Klubnik

Michael Penix

Washington Huskies

Clemson Tigers

Quinn Ewers

Jordan Travis

Florida State Seminoles

Texas Longhorns

Jayden Daniels

Caleb Williams

USC Trojans

LSU Tigers