The term "Heisman moment" has often been used to describe the game, play or drive where a Heisman Trophy contender has had his most outstanding performance of the season. With the 2024 Heisman race far from settled, Heisman moments will have increased importance this fall. Here's a look at some of the top Heisman contenders and when their season-defining moments could come.
RB Ashton Jeanty | Boise State
Game: Nov. 29 vs. Oregon State
I would say that this week's game against UNLV would be Ashton Jeanty's best shot at a Heisman moment since both schools currently lead the Mountain West. However, that game is played at 10:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, deep into the night for East Coast fans. ;
That's why Jeanty's best shot for a Heisman moment will be against Oregon State, the day after Thanksgiving. Fans can watch that game at noon ET on FOX as they recover from turkey the day before. With plenty of people taking off work on Black Friday, Jeanty might have the best deal with his final regular season game in that time slot.
WR/CB Travis Hunter | Colorado
Game: Nov. 29 vs Oklahoma State
It's too early to say Travis Hunter and Colorado will make the Big 12 Championship game, and a player like Hunter can go off on either side of the ball any week. Yet, I think his best shot will come against Oklahoma State. Like Jeanty, Hunter's Heisman moment game is at noon on Black Friday on a major network, but Hunter's opponent is the pick because of on-field potential.
Oklahoma State allows the third-most passing yards in the Big 12. That's a good sign for Travis Hunter, the wide receiver. Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman has thrown nine interceptions; that's good for Travis Hunter the defensive back. A few touchdowns and interceptions on national television could earn Hunter the Heisman.
QB Cam Ward | Miami (Fla.)
Game: Dec. 7 in the ACC Championship
It's unlikely Miami will play another ranked opponent during its regular season. However, a potential top-10 team like Clemson looms if the Hurricanes run the table and make the ACC Championship. That would give Cam Ward a primetime game to impress voters one last time.
QB Dillon Gabriel | Oregon
Game: Nov. 9 vs. Maryland
After Illinois this week, Oregon might not play another ranked opponent. That won't help Dillon Gabriel and his Heisman odds, as he currently is behind the top three (Jeanty, Hunter, Ward) for most in the race for the award. However, Gabriel could launch into true contention with a monster game against Maryland, the team with the worst pass defense in the Big 10. If Gabriel puts up huge numbers (400+ yards and 5 or more touchdowns), the Oregon Duck signal-caller could follow in Marcus Mariota's footsteps.
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QB Kurtis Rourke | Indiana
Game: Nov. 23 at Ohio State
Kurtis Rourke is out against Washington when College GameDay comes to town, but that won't be his last moment in the national spotlight. If Indiana is undefeated entering its game with Ohio State, it'll likely be a top-10 matchup. If Rourke leads the Hoosiers to a top-10 win on the road to remain undefeated and likely clinch a spot in the Big Ten title game, that could be the best Heisman moment of any contender this year.
QB Cade Klubnik | Clemson
Game: Dec. 7 in the ACC Championship
Clemson has won six straight games since a season-opening loss to Georgia. In that stretch, quarterback Cade Klubnik has thrown for 1,694 yards and 20 touchdowns, adding four rushing scores. He has the third-most passing touchdowns in the country now, so he's putting up Heisman-worthy numbers. If Klubnik can lead a one-loss Clemson to an ACC title — possibly taking down another Heisman candidate in the process in Ward — he'll have a case to be in New York.
QB Garrett Nussmeier | LSU
Game: Nov. 9 vs. Alabama
Garrett Nussmeier is putting together an impressive season, ranking in the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns. LSU only has one loss and is in a good position to make a push for the SEC title. He'll have a few ranked contests during the regular season, but his Heisman moment could come against Alabama at home. Nussmeier could put the nail in the Crimson Tide's coffin, knocking Alabama out of playoff contention while boosting LSU's odds.
QB Drew Allar | Penn State
Game: Nov. 2 vs. Ohio State
Drew Allar might not be the top Heisman candidate on his own team with running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen in the backfield. Still, he's the starting quarterback on an undefeated top-five team in the country so he might have the best shot at the Heisman of the trio.
Allar's Heisman moment will have to be against Ohio State. It's shaping up to be a top-five matchup, and if Allar can play well in a win, he could launch himself firmly into the Heisman race.
QB Bryson Daily | Army
Game: Nov. 23 vs. Notre Dame
Heisman votes must be turned in before Army plays Navy, so the top game for Army quarterback Bryson Daily to impress voters will be when Notre Dame comes to town. It'll be a chance for a ranked win where Daily could potentially keep the Black Knights undefeated.
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QB Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt
Game: Nov. 23 at LSU
Some might think Diego Pavia's Heisman moment can come this week against No. 5 Texas or that it has already happened when the Commodores upset No. 1 Alabama. However, Pavia's true Heisman moment will be at LSU in late November.
If Vanderbilt remains a two-loss team as it enters Death Valley, Pavia will already be near the top of Heisman discussions. Pavia leading his team to a win in one of the toughest environments in all of college football to keep Vandy in the SEC title race, combined with wins over Alabama and Texas may make Pavia the favorite to win the Heisman.
QB Eli Holstein | Pittsburgh
Game: Nov. 16 vs. Clemson
Pittsburgh is undefeated and quarterback Eli Holstein is looking to become the second quarterback in recent memory to take a trip to New York, following the likes of Kenny Pickett in 2021. If the Panthers remain undefeated when Clemson comes to town, Holstein will have a chance to stake his claim for the Heisman against a marquee opponent.
QB Blake Horvath | Navy
Game: Oct. 26 vs. Notre Dame
Heisman votes must be turned in before Navy plays Army, so the top game for Navy quarterback Blake Horvath to impress votes will be when it faces Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Navy will be undefeated against the No. 12 Fighting Irish. An upset win for Horvath and crew will give the Naval Academy quarterback Heisman momentum for the rest of the season.
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