In a surprising turn of events, Michigan Wolverines' quarterback J.J. McCarthy has catapulted himself to the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race. Following a dominant victory over in-state rival Michigan State, McCarthy now leads the pack as the new Heisman favorite, according to BetMGM. The shift in odds comes in the wake of Washington Huskies' quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s lackluster performance in a close win against Arizona State.

Heading into Week 8, Penix Jr. was the favored candidate, boasting impressive odds of -145 after his impressive outing against Oregon in Week 7. However, Washington's offense struggled against Arizona State, resulting in a mere 15-7 victory. Penix Jr. had a particularly rough day, committing four turnovers and failing to lead the offense to a single touchdown. Mishael Powell's 89-yard pick 6 in the fourth quarter ultimately sealed the win for the Huskies.

As a result of Penix Jr.'s struggles, his Heisman odds have plummeted to +300, while McCarthy now holds the top spot at +200. McCarthy's ascension in the race is no surprise considering his exceptional performance against Michigan State. He exhibited remarkable efficiency, completing 21-of-27 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns before being given a well-deserved rest in the third quarter. Michigan's 49-0 blowout victory over the Spartans showcased the team's dominance, and McCarthy played a significant role in their success.

Despite not having as many passing attempts as Penix Jr. and others, McCarthy has proven to be incredibly efficient throughout the season. He has completed 132-of-169 passes for 1,799 yards and 18 touchdowns, with a meager three interceptions. McCarthy's average of 10.6 yards per pass places him ahead of Penix Jr.'s 10.0 average and only trails LSU's Jayden Daniels' impressive 11.5 yards per pass. Daniels now sits at the third spot in the Heisman race with odds of +600, following LSU's commanding victory over Army.

Not to be overlooked in the Heisman discussion are Florida State's Jordan Travis and Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel. Travis, with odds of +700, led the Seminoles to a victory over Duke, while Gabriel, with odds of +800, weathered a close call against UCF. Although their statistics may not be as eye-catching as the three favorites, both quarterbacks are key figures in their respective undefeated teams ranked in the top 10.

With no other candidate having odds better than +3000, it is clear that the Heisman Trophy race has narrowed significantly. North Carolina QB Drake Maye's odds now sit at +5000 after the Tar Heels' unexpected loss to Virginia in Week 8.

As the college football season progresses, all eyes will be on J.J. McCarthy as he aims to solidify his position as the front-runner for the prestigious Heisman Trophy. His exceptional performances and Michigan's resounding victories make him a strong candidate, but the competition remains fierce. Only time will tell who will ultimately claim college football's most coveted individual award.