By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Rodney Cofield-The Mojo Network)
Oregon enters Week 11 as a touchdown favorite at Iowa, and all eyes will be on quarterback Dante Moore as he looks to climb back into the Heisman Trophy race.
The Ducks were idle in Week 10, but several of their Big Ten rivals made moves in the national conversation. According to FanDuel, Moore’s Heisman odds remain unchanged at +5500, though a few quarterbacks have surged ahead of him following standout performances.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin now leads the field at +175 after throwing for 316 yards and four touchdowns in a 38 to 14 win over Penn State. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (+220) and Alabama’s Ty Simpson (+340) round out the top three, while Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed (+650) and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton (+2500) remain in the mix.
Moore’s position slipped earlier this season after Oregon’s home loss to Indiana and a brief nose injury that sidelined him during the second half of the Ducks’ win over Wisconsin. However, head coach Dan Lanning expressed optimism during the team’s bye week. “He had a good practice today,” Lanning said. “He’s out there rolling, did a great job.”
As the Ducks prepare for their matchup in Iowa City, Moore has an opportunity to reassert himself in the Heisman race. Multiple contenders above him have suffered recent setbacks, and a strong finish could push the Oregon quarterback back into the national spotlight.
Iowa, 6 and 2 and riding a three-game win streak, presents one of Oregon’s toughest remaining challenges. A convincing win on the road paired with a breakout performance from Moore could reignite his Heisman campaign and keep Oregon firmly in the Big Ten title chase.