Miami's Mensah takes Heisman poll lead after Week 9, with Tennessee's Bishop just outside top 10

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has moved to the front of the Heisman Trophy race in On3's latest poll, taken after a Week 9 in which seven teams ranked in the AP Top 25 lost. The poll compiles ballots from On3 national experts on a points system, with 10 points for a first-place vote and descending values from there. Mensah finished with 134 points after completing 22 of 29 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for 36 yards, in Miami's win over North Carolina. For the season he has completed 80.7 percent of his passes for 2,425 yards, with 25 touchdowns against one interception, plus two scores on the ground.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, last week's leader, slipped to second with 123 points. Smith caught 10 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown while playing with quarterback Luke Fahey in a loss to USC, and through eight games he has 62 receptions for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also became the Big Ten's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns in that game. Mensah's top target, Miami receiver Malachi Toney, was third with 116 points after seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown against North Carolina. Toney has 75 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns through eight games for undefeated Miami.

The rest of the top 10 was Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in fourth with 76 points, Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree fifth with 74, Duke running back Nate Sheppard sixth with 36, Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker seventh with 35, Indiana receiver Charlie Becker eighth with 32, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier ninth with 20 and Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez 10th with 19. The report noted a gap between the leading group and the rest, while stressing that the race remains open entering the final weeks.

For Tennessee, the closest name to the list was running back DeSean Bishop, who finished 11th among others receiving votes with 18 points, just outside the top 10. That position gives Bishop national recognition without yet placing him among the formal contenders, and his standing, like those above him, will depend on how the closing stretch of the season unfolds.