Like a novelist bent on Steven King fame and fortune, the Heisman race kills its darlings.
Favorites drop, discarded like the wings of flies in the fingers of wanton boys. Arch Manning? You're overhyped. Cade Klubnik? You can't handle the pressure of the big stage. Doug Nussmeier, your offense clanks and sputters like a '57 Ford Fairlane with a bad timing belt.
All the preseason favorites are gone, replaced by the true heroes of Saturday, the ones who've made big plays over the first month of the season. And no one stands ahead of Dante Moore, the new Heisman favorite.
Cool in the pocket and resourceful evading the rush, Moore went into Happy Valley Saturday night and shredded a tough Penn State defense for 248 yards and three touchdowns, side-arming a pass in the right flat to Gary Bryant Jr., who ran it in for a decisive 25-yard score in the second overtime.
Moore scrambled for 35 yards on ten carries and wasn't sacked, keeping his offense moving. It was a brilliant performance in a pressure atmosphere on primetime network TV for a 30-24 victory, the kind of story Heisman voters love.
That Moore seemed overcome with emotion after the Top Ten win only added punch and drama.
What a game, Dante Moore. 👏 pic.twitter.com/0uSweSDAdD
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 28, 2025
2025 Heisman Trophy Odds, FanDuel Sportsbook
Dante Moore +750
Carson Beck Miami quarterback +1000
Jeremiah Smith Ohio State wide receiver +1000
Ty Simpson Alabama quarterback +1000
Fernando Mendoza Indiana quarterback +1200
Trinidad Chambliss Ole Miss quarterback +1500
The Heisman loves a story, and it loves a winner. Moore has gained pole position in the race after leading his team to a 5-0 start, the kid from the Motor City who busted out at UCLA as a true freshman, sacked 25 times and losing the starting job after throwing three Pick Sixes.
He transferred to Oregon when head coach Chip Kelly bolted, serving a year apprenticeship under Dillon Gabriel as he redshirted and reset his game.
As Oregon has vaulted up the national rankings he's emerged as the cool, calm leader of a top three team, throwing for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 75 percent of his passes.
#Oregon QB Dante Moore with one of the most clutch OT plays ever. Evades the sack and hits Gary Bryant Jr. for the 25-yard TD.
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) September 28, 2025
Huge stock up game for Moore who goes in to the Penn State Whiteout and wins in OT. pic.twitter.com/TNgc5dNFQw
"I think we've got the best quarterback in college football," Dan Lanning said to reporters after the game.
Moore, who has authored a children's book and deflects praise to his teammates, said, "It's things you pray and dream about as a kid,"
If he makes it to New York as a finalist, he'd be the third straight Oregon quarterback to do so after Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel in 2023 and 2024. Marcus Mariota remains the only Duck to win, in 2014 when Moore was nine years old.
He's set up perfectly provided he stays healthy and keeps performing with calm and consistency. The Ducks have a bye this week, followed by a showdown in Autzen Stadium on October 11 with Fernando Mendoza and 5-0, No. 11 Indiana, who should move up when the AP Poll is released later this morning, another clash on national TV.