Ranking the Heisman Favorites Heading into Week 10

After nearly two months of a steady favorite in the 2020 Heisman Trophy race, a new quarterback stands atop the midseason rankings.

Trevor Lawrence held steady at No. 1 as Clemson dominated its first six games of the season. However, a positive COVID-19 test sidelined the quarterback last Saturday and will prevent him from playing at Notre Dame in Week 10.

While the Clemson star dips slightly in the updated order, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones has stolen the crown. He's played at a Heisman-caliber level all season, and Lawrence's absence allowed Jones to jump ahead.

After Ohio State handled Penn State on the road, quarterback Justin Fields is likely approaching a rapid climb to compete with Lawrence and Jones down the stretch.

The selections are based on a combination of total production, two decades of Heisman trends and player reputations. The order is a snapshot of this specific week of the 2020 season, not a personal ballot or the likely voting results in December.

Last week: 6

Florida's loss to Texas A&M will linger as a negative, but senior quarterback Kyle Trask is hanging on here.

Trask dropped a spot because Ohio State earned its marquee win. Nevertheless, he's still in the picture after a 345-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 41-17 triumph over Missouri. He has tossed at least four scores in each of Florida's four games.

Now, Trask is entering his decisive moment.

Saturday afternoon, Florida will take on Georgia in the annual rivalry game. The Bulldogs have surrendered just 6.4 yards per pass attempt this season. They're not impenetrable—Jones threw for 417 yards in Week 7, and Trask had 257 last year—but this is undoubtedly the best competition Florida's offense has faced in 2020.

Nobody can win the Heisman in Week 10, but Trask could drop from consideration if Florida loses a second game.

Last week: 7

And so Justin Fields' rise begins.

In a 38-25 victory at Penn State, the junior completed 28 of 34 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Through two games, Fields has played at the level most everyone anticipated from him.

Considering the number of angry messages I receive, let's be clear: As of Week 10, Fields does not have the production to favorably compare with top contenders. As the Buckeyes play more games, his sample size increases. When his numbers improve, Fields will steadily climb the rankings.

The trend is obvious, and the analysis is consistent. Fields is ridiculously talented, and his candidacy simply needs time. If the season ended today, you could not vote for Fields and his 644 total yards and seven touchdowns over the following five players and their six-plus games.

But this Saturday isn't the end of the season. Heck, this weekend is literally the start of 2020 for the Pac-12. Fields has plenty of time to continue a methodical rise in the Heisman rankings.

Ohio State hosts Rutgers this weekend.

Last week: 5

Through no fault of his own, this is probably the last moment Najee Harris spends in the top five.

On numbers alone, Harris deserves a place.

He tallied 119 rushing yards and six receptions for 36 yards in Alabama's painless 41-0 win over Mississippi State last week. After six games, the powerful running back has 714 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground with 20 catches for 183 yards.

But as his teammate Jones continues to excel and Fields builds his resume, Harris is likely slipping out of the picture.

Alabama, which is idle Saturday, travels to LSU next week.

Last week: 4

Zach Wilson finished with season lows in completion percentage (56.3), yards (224) and yards per attempt (7.0) last weekend. Simultaneously, he tossed three touchdowns and ran for another in BYU's 41-10 smackdown of Western Kentucky.

Little bit inefficient, still plenty productive. He has accounted for 2,302 yards and 26 touchdowns this season.

As the 7-0 Cougars are ranked ninth, Wilson is a fun breakout story who's raised his NFL perception. It's improbable he'll win the Heisman. Even with an undefeated record, BYU is more of a New Year's Six contender than a College Football Playoff threat. BYU's low strength of schedule is the primary factor in both discussions.

But this weekend's trip to No. 21 Boise State is the junior's best opportunity to show he deserves to be a Heisman finalist.

Last week: 3

In the absence of Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne carried Clemson to a nerve-testing win over Boston College.

Although the Eagles limited him to 84 yards on 20 carries, Etienne scored twice and made a tremendous impact as a receiver. The senior reeled in seven passes for a career-high 140 yards and returned a kickoff 40 yards as well.

While neither of the following achievements impacts his Heisman chances, Etienne broke a pair of records too. First, he's now scored a touchdown in 42 games—the most by an FBS player. He also became the ACC's career leader in rushing yards (4,644).

Lawrence is still Clemson's top Heisman contender, but Etienne may challenge that thought as he propels the Lawrence-less offense on the road against No. 4 Notre Dame.

Last week: 1

For the first time in 2020, Trevor Lawrence is no longer atop the ranking. This can be attributed to a positive COVID-19 test that has sidelined the quarterback for two games.

Clemson turned to true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei, who guided a second-half comeback to clip Boston College. After the game, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Lawrence would not be available at Notre Dame either.

Since the Tigers are idle the following weekend, Lawrence will likely return Nov. 21 at Florida State.

In six games, he has a 70.7 completion rate with 1,833 yards and 17 touchdowns to two interceptions. He's added 71 yards and four scores as a runner.

Last week: 2

After narrowing the gap on Lawrence in Week 8, Mac Jones probably edged ahead in Week 9. Lawrence had consistently put up impressive numbers until two Saturdays ago, leaving little chance for anyone to swipe the No. 1 spot.

But as a positive COVID-19 test kept Clemson's star on the sideline, Alabama's quarterback shined once again.

In the 41-0 shutout of Mississippi State, Jones finished 24-of-31 with 291 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Through six games, he's up to 2,196 yards at an FBS record pace of 12.4 per attempt with 17 total scores and two interceptions.

Jones has four regular-season games remaining to Lawrence's three, and both will likely play in a conference title game. Fields is chasing, but Jones is soundly a Heisman co-favorite with Lawrence.

Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.