On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 5

Five weeks have now come and gone in the college football season, but there remain a large number of players receiving recognition for a possible Heisman Trophy win. John Mateer‘s injury really opened up the voting this week.

On3 stops to poll its top national analysts for their take. Voting in this poll are Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell and Charles Power.

Each of the national experts submitted a ballot with his top 10 players on it, and we’ve compiled the results to create a complete ranking using points — 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc. Let’s get into how the rankings unfolded below.

1. QB Dante Moore, Oregon – 65 points

WEEKEND STATS: 29-of-39 for 248 yards, 3 TD | 10 carries for 35 yards
Moore was superb in a tough win over Penn State, nearly perfect as a passer and hitting a ton of timely shots that allowed Oregon to build a strong early lead. The team had to win in overtime, but Moore was good there, too.

His ability to play safe football has been spectacular. Through five games, Moore has thrown for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns, while throwing only one interception. He surges into the lead in the Heisman Trophy voting as a result of the huge road win.

2. QB John Mateer, Oklahoma – 55

WEEKEND STATS: BYE
Oklahoma was on a bye this weekend, but it wouldn’t have mattered for Mateer anyway. An injury to his throwing hand required surgery and is expected to keep him out for a few weeks, at minimum.

That lost time will be hard for Mateer to overcome, but he’s got the dynamic ability that few others have shown in this year’s race so far. How quickly he returns could determine how serious his campaign is.

3. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – 54

WEEKEND STATS: 26-of-34 for 321 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT | 9 carries for 79 yards, 2 TD
Pavia tied the program’s single-game record for most passing touchdowns in a game, helping Vanderbilt pull away from Utah State after a tight first quarter or two. He also became just the second Vanderbilt quarterback since 1996 to have a hand in six or more touchdowns in a game.

The former transfer quarterback has clearly elevated Vanderbilt to new heights. How well he can sustain them could determine how much thrust his Heisman Trophy campaign can achieve.

4. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss – 46

WEEKEND STATS: 23-of-39 for 314 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 14 carries for 71 yards
Chambliss wasn’t his sharpest as a passer on Saturday in a big win over LSU, but he made up for it with his legs. Seemingly every time Ole Miss needed a key conversion he was there to pick it up with a timely scramble.

Austin Simmons is reportedly healthy again, but it’s hard to envision the Rebels turning the reins back over with as well as Chambliss is playing right now. But that could be a key factor in Chambliss’ Heisman Trophy candidacy.

5. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama – 41

WEEKEND STATS: 24-of-38 for 276 yards, 2 TD | 4 carries for 12 yards, 1 TD
Simpson had a hand in all three of Alabama’s touchdowns on the road at Georgia, helping the Crimson Tide secure a massive win. He was excellent through the air, taking advantage of a Bulldogs secondary that has proven somewhat vulnerable.

Unlike many of his Heisman Trophy competitors, Simmons has yet to turn it over via interception. He has thrown for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns in four games, while also adding two scores on the ground.

6. RB Ahmad Hardy, Missouri – 25

WEEKEND STATS: 24 carries for 130 yards, 3 TD
In a year where running backs are getting considerably less Heisman Trophy hype than a year ago, Hardy has led the pack. He has rushed for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in every game this season.

On Saturday in a win over UMass he scored three times, the second time this season he has done that. He’s already at 730 yards and nine touchdowns through five games, very impressive numbers.

7. DL Rueben Bain, Miami – 18

WEEKEND STATS: BYE
He was on bye this weekend, but Bain continues to prove he’s at his best in the big games, and that was no different against Florida before the bye. In fact, he could have easily had a few more sacks in the final quarter of the game as the Gators pressed to pull even.

The talented defensive lineman turned in a season-high seven tackles against Florida, while bringing his sack tally on the season up to two. He’ll have a chance to put his name back in the mind of Heisman Trophy voters this week with a big game against Florida State.

8. QB Carson Beck, Miami – 18

WEEKEND STATS: BYE
Beck is coming off arguably his worst outing of the season, albeit against a very good Florida defense. He failed to find the end zone and was picked off once, at a crucial juncture in the game.

Still, it’s undeniable the impact Beck has had on Miami as a whole. He’s a big reason the team is sitting at 4-0 and ranked in the top 10 nationally. The game against Florida State will give him a chance to help cement Miami as a surefire College Football Playoff frontrunner.

9. QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M – 16

WEEKEND STATS: 15-of-22 for 207 yards, 1 INT
Reed had his worst game of the season and takes a bit of a hit in the Heisman Trophy polling after the huge win over Notre Dame. He did not throw a touchdown and was picked off once, while being completely contained on the ground by Auburn.

Reed still has plenty respectable numbers, though. He has thrown for 1,076 yards and nine touchdowns in four games, against two interceptions. He’s also run for 119 yards and a score.

10. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana – 13

WEEKEND STATS: 13-of-23 passing for 233 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT | 8 carries for 26 yards
You’re going to have some weeks where the defense gets you a little discombobulated, and that was the case for Mendoza against Iowa. Still, he managed to hit the game-winning pass over the middle, allowing Indiana to stay unbeaten.

Mendoza has been great so far this season. He has thrown for 1,208 yards and 16 touchdowns, against just one interception. He has also run for 102 yards and two scores. And he’s got Indiana 5-0 and on track for a CFP berth again. Impressive.

Rest of the Heisman Trophy poll

11. QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech – 10
12. QB Joey Aguilar, Tennessee – 9
13. RB Justice Haynes, Michigan – 6
14. QB Rocco Becht, Iowa State – 3
T-15. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee – 2
T-15. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – 2
T-17. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State – 1
T-17. QB Jayden Maiava, USC – 1
T-17. WR Makai Lemon, USC – 1