Open Heisman Trophy rankings: Notre Dame’s Carr needs a strong finish to strengthen his case
Carr’s window is narrowing
Notre Dame’s schedule leaves Carr limited chances to add a defining performance. The Irish have only one remaining matchup against a team with a winning record: SMU, which visits on Nov. 21 with a 7-2 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the ACC.
Carr will also be idle during conference championship weekend, when other contenders may have another opportunity to impress. He needs a strong closing stretch to pursue Notre Dame’s first Heisman since wide receiver Tim Brown won in 1987.
Smith looks to rebound
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith had seven catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday’s loss to Oregon. He and the Buckeyes now face Northwestern at Ohio Stadium as Ohio State seeks to end a two-game losing streak.
Smith previously had four catches for 100 yards against Northwestern as a freshman, including a 68-yard play. On that play, Northwestern safety Robert Fitzgerald twisted Smith’s ankle; Smith avoided serious damage and had it taped.
Other candidates face tests
Quarterback Mensah completed a season-low 55.8 percent of his passes and committed two turnovers in a 31-24 loss to Notre Dame. He was without receiver Malachi Toney, who had a high ankle sprain, and now faces Duke, his former team and the defending ACC champion.
Duke ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 13 points per game, and has given up five points over its past two weeks. Wake Forest’s Lopez, meanwhile, has an opportunity against SMU to strengthen his case; the game is only his third this season against a winning opponent.
Flora adds to the ACC case
Aiden Flora entered 2026 with 15 career carries and has made the most of a larger role at Iowa State. Against West Virginia, he became one of only two players in Big 12 history to record at least two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and 200 rushing yards in one game.
Flora also returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown against Bowling Green. He is the fourth FBS player since 1977 to reach 1,000 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and a punt-return touchdown in one season, joining Eddie Lee Ivery, Eric Metcalf and Christian McCaffrey.
Key points
- Notre Dame has one remaining game against a winning team: No. 25 SMU on Nov. 21.
- Carr is seeking to become Notre Dame’s first Heisman winner since Tim Brown in 1987.
- Jeremiah Smith recorded seven catches, 133 yards and a touchdown against Oregon.
- Aiden Flora has reached rare rushing, passing and punt-return benchmarks this season.