LSU is in an iffy spot after 5 games in the season. The Tigers are still in contention to make some postseason breakthrough. But that’s where they have been for some time now. Garrett Nussmeier, the star of the Bayou Bengals, is also plateauing in a similar way. He was fighting off Cade Klubnik and Arch Manning to go as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft before the season. Now, Nussmeier’s disappointing turnout has paved the way for a Big 10 QB with 2,869 career yards to dominate the charts.

Frankly, it’s disappointing to see the top QBs of the preseason tank their campaigns this year. That includes Garrett Nussmeier, who was touted to be better than his 2024 version. Then Ole Miss rattled the Tigers in Week 5, limiting Nussmeier to a mere 197 yards, zero scores, and an interception. The QB’s drop in output has pushed him down in rankings and hype, and a rookie QB1 is instead stealing the show. That’s Oregon’s Dante Moore, who is living up to the expectations around him even after being off the field the entirety of last season. He’s replacing Nussmeier as a top draft pick, per See Ball Get Ball’s co-host, Brent Rollins.

He told David Pollack on Thursday, “I’ve listened to draft guys occasionally. But if said, ‘Hey, who would you take or who would be the No. 1 pick, at least the number one quarterback in the draft next spring? It’d be him.” Moore is averaging a whopping 242 yards on an average, and has been remarkably accurate in passing. Plus, he’s got some great footwork and mobile tendencies. And, Moore is phenomenal in the pocket, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt when in pressure.

This put Garrett Nussmeier’s draft future in jeopardy. Nussmeier being a preseason No. 1 favorite meant he would be going to some of the neediest NFL teams. That would include the Saints, who are currently 0-4. But now that Dante Moore has dazzled college football with his skills, it’d be hard for New Orleans to ignore him for Nussmeier. Especially when the LSU QB is showing a host of problems in his game.

Garett Nussmeier now struggles when under pressure. His running game has taken a serious hit, with Caden Durham’s injury leaving the QB to make up for the loss in the passing game. Nussmeier is also struggling with deep ball accuracy. Against Ole Miss, he completed just 1 of his 7 long passes. Nussmeier has thrown 3 interceptions and is averaging 231.8 yards. Moore, on the other hand, has been picked only once so far.

“[They] got a superstar quarterback that can handle any situation. And I mean any situation from the standpoint of like, if it’s clean, if it’s dirty, if it’s running, if it’s throwing – like he’s got the ability to really do so many different things […] in that atmosphere,” Pollack added in his praise for Moore. The younger QB seems to have outshone Garrett Nussmeier in the Heisman as well. The LSU star needs to show something convincing to once again be a serious choice for these conversations.

Dante Moore is the favorite for the Heisman, while Garrett Nussmeier barely hangs on

Conference play has begun for both QBs in question here. But Moore seemed to have had a gala week 5, and Nussmeier was so far off it. The Oregon QB’s heroics have made him the top favorite for the Heisman entering Week 6, per Bet MGM. Top QBs taking a backseat a month into the season, and Moore’s brilliant performance helped him make the steep jump. Moore’s 248 yards and 3 scores against Penn State have changed his odds to +750.

Garrett Nussmeier, on the other hand, is tied at No. 9 with John Mateer, Demond Williams Jr., and Josh Hoover. Nussmeier being a problem factor in LSU’s loss to Ole Miss is going to be a talking point until his next game. It’s a huge fall for a QB who was expected to bring the trophy to LSU after Jayden Daniels.

Garrett Nussmeier, the veteran and senior, is following the trajectory that stars like him are on right now. And the picture doesn’t look good for him if he doesn’t turn around. The 2026 draft will once again be crowded with QBs to be on the lookout for, and there’s no question about Dante Mooe being there. The question is, will Garrett Nussmeier be able to stand out by then?