The 2025 Heisman Trophy race is heating up, but it’s still wide open heading into Week 8. While Bama QB Ty Simpson has been electric since the Tide’s shocking loss to FSU, IU’s Fernando Mendoza is making waves with his standout play. Then, Miami’s sixth-year senior QB Carson Beck also led the program to an undefeated record in the first five games. But one costly loss has hurt his chances, and the Heisman race now looks frantic for the Hurricanes’ QB.

Beck entered the Miami vs. Louisville game as one of the top Heisman Trophy favorites, boasting 11 TDs in 5 games. But after the 24-21 loss to the Cardinals, the landscape shifted. Alabama insider Mike Rodak reported on X, “Ty Simpson is now the Heisman co-favorite with Fernando Mendoza on FanDuel.”

While Simpson and Fernando’s odds sit at +250, Carson Beck has crashed out. His Heisman odds took a nosedive. According to the On3 report, they plummeted from +350 earlier in the week to a staggering +2500. And Rodak summed it up perfectly, writing, “Carson Beck dropped out of the top contenders with his four interceptions in a loss to Louisville.” Now, while one rough night erased the Hurricanes’ QB from the spotlight, the Hurricanes need a rebound fast.

Next week, Miami will host Stanford at home. But Beck’s performance against Louisville was shocking. Although he finished 25-of-35 for 271 yards. But his 4 interceptions matched none too well with the rest of his season. Yes, it was one more than in his first five games combined. Meanwhile, Simpson is thriving, throwing for 1,678 yards with 16 TDs and just one interception. And Mendoza has 1,423 yards with 17 TDs and only two picks. Given those numbers, he’s also drawing NFL Draft buzz.

While Beck slides down the Heisman odds, FanDuel’s top favorites include Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, OSU’s Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton. Despite the drop following his rough performance, the Miami QB was crystal clear about the culprit behind the recent loss.

Carson Beck’s confession

Beck faced the media after Miami’s home loss to Louisville. And he was brutally honest. “I have to protect the ball better,” stated the Miami QB. “That can’t happen. It’s unacceptable.” The Hurricanes never led, and Beck’s late pick sealed the defeat. “They challenged us up front to stop the run and play zone behind it,” explained Beck.

And then came the biggest confession. “Maybe I was a little too aggressive. That’s part of the game, but I have to be better,” admitted Carson Beck. On the final interception near field goal range, he didn’t hide the misstep. “We called the play, they blitzed off the edge, and there was a miscommunication on the routes. It’s tricky when you’re in field goal range already,” added the QB. But even in defeat, Beck’s mindset stayed focused on improvement.

“It’s a good thing we play 12 games and not just one,” he said. “This game doesn’t define us. We’ve been successful, but we laid an egg tonight. That starts with me. I have to prepare better. I have to play better. And I will. On to next week. 1 and 0.” Now we’ll see if, under Beck’s leadership at QB, Miami can bounce back next week.