Week 10 did not deliver quite the same fireworks many expected, but it still changed the Heisman race in a meaningful way. Injuries to Malachi Toney and Julian Sayin have shifted the conversation, and with the regular season entering its final stretch, the picture now looks very different from just a week ago.
That matters because Toney had, only last week, been described as having a better argument for the award than Darian Mensah. Miami then announced that Toney was expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a high ankle sprain, removing one of the clearest contenders from immediate consideration.
Why the Malachi Toney injury matters
Toney’s absence changes the race because his season production had given him real momentum. The Miami wide receiver was on 69 receptions for 1,200 yards and 14 TDs, with two carries for seven yards and four passes for 87 yards. Those numbers had made him one of the most compelling names in the Heisman Trophy discussion.
Now, the focus moves elsewhere. If a player is sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, the simple reality is that he can no longer add the late-season plays that often shape award voting. That is especially true in a race that was already being tightened by the events of Week 10.
Jeremiah Smith keeps his case alive
One player who did strengthen his standing was Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State lost to Oregon 41-28, but Smith still finished with seven receptions for 133 yards and one TD, numbers that keep him firmly in the discussion.
There is, however, an important caveat. His production with Luke Fahey came partly in garbage time against Oregon, which means the stat line helps his profile without completely settling the argument. Even so, when other contenders are losing ground, Smith’s output becomes more relevant.
What Week 10 changed
The Week 10 slate included top-10 matchups between Utah-BYU and Notre Dame-Miami, so the expectation was for the Heisman picture to become clearer. Instead, the opposite happened. Some of the big games mattered less for the award than the injuries and individual performances around them.
That is why the race now feels reset. Toney’s injury removes one candidate, Sayin’s injury creates another shift in how voters will judge Ohio State’s offensive stars, and Smith has a chance to benefit if he can keep producing. The next few weeks will decide whether this was a temporary change or the moment the Heisman race truly opened up.
