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Heisman watch: Who are the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy heading into Week 6?

The Heisman Trophy race has seen a shift, with new leaders ahead of Week 6 college football games this weekend.

Several quarterbacks are still among the frontrunners for the trophy while a few other skilled position players are starting to break out and make a strong case for themselves among the top four

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will have a chance to follow up on his victory over Georgia this week, while Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty continues to climb toward the top. Colorado standout Travis Hunter has gained momentum but will be on a bye this weekend.

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Quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn't lose much traction coming off his bye week and could strengthen his case again after a 4-0 start with Tennessee. Here’s a look at the top five players in the Heisman odds and how things look for each of them entering Week 6 of the season:

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 3:

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) warms up prior to their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) warms up prior to their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images

1. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (+200)

Milroe took the lead in Week 6 after his performance against the Georgia Bulldogs. He became the odds-on favorite after leading the Crimson Tide to a strong first half against the Bulldogs and taking a 30-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. The redshirt junior has completed 62 of 85 pass attempts for 964 yards,10 touchdowns and just one interception. He also has 273 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 52 carries.

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2. Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado (+450)

Hunter saw his stock improve after striking the Heisman pose last week following his interception against UCF on Saturday. The junior benefits from using his ability to play as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. Hunter is the Buffaloes' leading receiver with 46 receptions, 561 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 16 total tackles (three for a loss), two interceptions and a forced fumble on defense this season.

3. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (+500)

Ward’s Heisman stock took a slight dip this week after his performance in the 38-34 victory over Virginia Tech last Friday. Ward scored five total touchdowns against the Hokies but also threw two interceptions. He will face a Cal defense this week that's allowed 287.5 yards per game and seven touchdowns through four games this season. He's completed 113 of 161 pass attempts for 1,782 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. Ward also rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

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4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (+1000)

The running back might be at a disadvantage by not playing for a Power Four program but has managed to stay relevant with his performance on the field. The junior leads the country in all major rushing categories with 845 yards and 13 touchdowns through four games. Jeanty is averaging 10.3 yards per carry.

T-5. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon (+1400)

Gabriel has consistently remained within or close to the top five in recent weeks. The Ducks have a few notable games left on the schedule, such as Ohio State and Michigan, to make a strong push to the finish line. The veteran quarterback has completed 110 of 135 pass attempts for 1,192 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception. He's also rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.

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T-5. Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (+1400)

Nico was second back in mid-September, but remains in the top five now. He's coming off a bye week where he wasn’t lost in the shuffle. He’s worth keeping an eye on as a player with a chance to climb back into the race with games against Alabama and Georgia still on the schedule for the Volunteers. Iamaleava has completed 61 of 88 passes for 892 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman Trophy odds: Top five favorites heading into Week 6