David Pollack Has Glaring Omission From His Heisman Top 5 Ballot

The 2023 Heisman Trophy race is sparking debate across college football. With so many candidates in the running, David Pollack excluded the betting favorite from his top five.

Pollack places Jayden Daniels first on his updated Heisman ballot ahead of Michael Penix Jr., Carson Beck, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jordan Travis. Interestingly enough, the former ESPN analyst left out Bo Nix.

Most sportsbooks peg Oregon's quarterback as the front-runner after accruing 798 passing yards and eight touchdowns in consecutive wins over California and USC. BetMGM and Bet365 give Nix -110 odds, while Travis' odds go as high as +6000. 

It's easy to see why Nix should at least receive an invitation to the Heisman ceremony. Here's how his numbers compare to Beck and Travis:

• Nix: 3,135 Pass YDs, 77.7 CMP %, 29 TDs, 2 INTs, 9.4 YPA, 184.7 QB Rating
• Beck: 3,022 Pas YDs, 72.2 CMP %, 18 TDs, 5 INTs, 9.4 YPA, 167.0 QB Rating
• Travis: 2,734 Pass YDs, 64.1 CMP %, 20 TDs, 2 INTs, 8.5 YPA, 155.2 QB Rating

Oregon isn't undefeated like Georgia and Florida State, but Nix went 33-of-44 for 337 yards and two touchdowns in the school's lone shortcoming, a 36-33 loss at Washington.

By beating Arizona State and Oregon State to close the regular season, Oregon should set up a rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game. A victory over the Huskies would give the Ducks a good chance to make the College Football Playoff.

He might get robbed because of LSU's three losses, but Daniels is having the best individual season with 3,164 passing yards, 918 rushing yards, and 38 total touchdowns. Penix can stay in the conversation with a strong finish, and Harrison faces the uphill climb of winning as a non-quarterback.

While Nix may not raise the Heisman Trophy next month, Pollack is likely one of few people currently not pinpointing him as a top-five candidate.