The Miami Hurricanes enter Week 9 of the 2026 college football season as the clear No. 1 team in the country and one of three remaining undefeated teams in the FBS. Their position is largely due to two offensive stars, quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney, who sit No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in Heisman Trophy odds at every major sportsbook, trailing only Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.
Historical Context
This marks a throwback to "The U's" heyday with a pair of Heisman frontrunners on the nation's top team. However, Miami fans recall how vote-splitting can work against both players. In 2002, Willis McGahee and Ken Dorsey finished No. 4 and No. 5 in Heisman voting, splitting 223 first-place votes almost evenly (122 and 101), which combined would have pushed one into the No. 2 spot behind Carson Palmer. Miami also has a 34-year Heisman drought since Gino Torretta won in 1992, alongside a 25-year national title drought.
Case for Darian Mensah
The Heisman Trophy has been a quarterback award for decades, and Mensah has proven to be the best signal-caller in the country. He leads the nation in completion percentage (81.4%), passer rating (204.6), and yards per attempt (10.5). He ranks second in touchdown passes (22), fourth in yards per game (307.3), and ninth in passing yards (2,151, with five players above him having played an extra game). He has thrown just one interception on 204 passing attempts (50th nationally). Miami's offense averages 49.0 points per game, best in the nation by nearly six points.
Case for Malachi Toney
Toney is challenging Jeremiah Smith for the title of best receiver in the country. He leads the nation in receptions (66) and ranks third in receiving yards (952), yards per game (136.0), and touchdown catches (11). He is second to Smith with 35 catches of 10+ yards and tied for the most 20+ yard catches (17). While Mensah leads the nation in yards per attempt at 10.5, his average depth of target (aDOT) is 6.9 yards. Toney's aDOT is 7.0, but he averages 14.4 yards per reception, gaining more than half his yardage after the catch. Toney accounts for 33.95% of Mensah's target share but produces 39.9% of receiving yardage and 42.3% of receiving touchdowns.
Upcoming Test at Notre Dame
The debate between the two stars will likely intensify as the season progresses. The real test comes in two weeks when the Hurricanes travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame in the biggest game of the season for Miami. That matchup will provide both players the opportunity to author their Heisman moment on a national stage against a top opponent for the first and only time this season. A win at Notre Dame will be critical to swing voters in their direction over Smith or other challengers, including Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
