There is a very real chance that the Pac-12 will produce back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners. The real question is whether Oregon or Washington will provide the Heisman winner this year after Caleb Williams of USC won the award in 2022.
We asked our Pac-12 football panel: “Is Bo Nix the Heisman leader? Should he be?”
Matt Zemek: I don’t think Nix is the leader. Michael Penix beating Nix still matters for a lot of voters. However, Nix is right there with a great chance to win. If he gets a rematch versus Penix in the Pac-12 Championship Game and leads Oregon to victory, he might be the favorite.
Zachary Neel: I’ve written about this a lot this week. Bo’s Heisman candidacy rests on consistency, not flash, which I think hurts him at this point in the season. He has just 2 games with more than 350 yards, and just 1 game with 4 TD passes. Of course, he also has thrown for at least 245 yards and 2 TD in ever game, while other candidates have a dud or two in the mix; Michael Penix has two games with 0 TD and one game with 0 TD, 2 INT; J.J. McCarthy has a game with 3 INT. It would certainly behoove Nix to have a huge, 350-plus, 4 TD day against California or USC going forward to elevate his stats a little bit, but even if he stays consistent with his 250 yards and 2 TD games, I think that he will be in New York this December.
Matt Wadleigh: The Heisman race changes every week, and Penix, Nix, and Jordan Travis should be the favorites, right now at least. If I were picking today, I’d lean Nix.
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