Heisman momentum meter: Keelon Russell rises, but can Jeremiah Smith be caught?

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Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith struck the Heisman Trophy pose in the Buckeyes' commanding 31-14 road win over No. 13 Iowa in Week 5.

It was warranted.

REQUIRED READING: Stop overthinking it: Jeremiah Smith is the Heisman Trophy favorite

Smith set new career highs with 11 receptions for 206 yards in the win, along with two touchdowns. The third-year receiver now ranks first nationally in receptions (44) and receiving yards (823) and is tied for first with nine receiving touchdowns.

The 6-foot-4 receiver has set multiple Ohio State receiving records and is establishing himself as one of the program's greatest offensive players ever. He's on pace to obliterate his previous career high of 1,315 receiving yards in a season, which was set in 16 games.

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell is also making a push for the Heisman. The first-year starter and former five-star recruit has been lights-out for a Crimson Tide offense that ranks No. 2 nationally averaging 49.6 points per game this season.

Each week, USA TODAY Sports provides a pulse check on the Heisman race in college football. Here's a look at where things stand heading into Week 6:

Heisman Trophy momentum meter after Week 5

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State ↔️ (1)

Smith became Ohio State's all-time leader in both receptions (207) and receiving touchdowns (36) against Iowa, after having already broken the all-time receiving yards record at the school known for producing high-end NFL talent.

NFL star Chris Olave needed 47 games to secure Ohio State's career record of 35 receiving touchdowns. Smith broke the mark in only 35. He also became the second player in Big Ten history to record back-to-back games with 200 or more receiving yards, joining former Indiana standout Ty Fryfogle.

2. Keelon Russell, Alabama ⬆️ (8)

Russell keeps getting better and better, and he was the better quarterback in Alabama's Week 5 game against Mississippi State and fellow Heisman contender Kamario Taylor.

Russell completed 16-of-22 passes for 285 yards with three touchdowns in Alabama's 56-23 drubbing of the Bulldogs, also rushing for a touchdown. The second-year quarterback now has 13 total touchdowns in his last three games and is leading an offense that has scored 45 or more points in every game this season.

Check out this ridiculous throw he made on third-and-19 against Mississippi State:

Up next for Russell and Alabama is a matchup with No. 2 Georgia, a game with huge College Football Playoff and Heisman implications.

3. Darian Mensah, Miami ⬇️ (2)

The only thing missing for first-year Miami quarterback Darian Mensah so far is a big performance … against a big-time team. Mensah led Miami to a 41-13 win over Clemson in Week 5, although he was held to "just" 227 passing yards with two total touchdowns in the win.

The Duke transfer still hasn't thrown an interception this season and ranks tied for third nationally with 15 passing touchdowns and eighth in passing yards with 1,438. It's hard to imagine a world where Mensah doesn't at least make it to New York.

4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss ⬇️ (3)

Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss were off in Week 5 after they were dismantled by Florida 52-28 in Week 4.

Chambliss and the Rebels need to bounce back for him to have a shot at the award. He'll have plenty of chances to do so in upcoming games against Missouri, Texas and Georgia.

5. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State ⬆️ (7)

Oklahoma State was on bye in Week 5, which came after Drew Mestemaker tossed for a combined 713 yards with eight touchdowns in wins over Murray State and West Virginia.

The Cowboys look like a Big 12 championship contender in large part to Mestemaker's play following the Cowboys' Week 1 upset by Tulsa. Mestemaker led OSU to one of the best wins in college football this season, racking up 426 total yards with three touchdowns in the Cowboys' 39-31 win over then-No. 6 Oregon.

6. Malachi Toney, Miami ↔️ (6)

Malachi Toney was held in check by Clemson in Week 5, catching five passes for 40 yards with a touchdown in the win. He has still proven to be one of the best play-makers in the country, ranking seventh nationally in receptions (39) and fourth in receiving yards (604).

A later-season matchup against Notre Dame still looms, which could be the breakout performance Toney needs for a Heisman push.

7. CJ Carr, Notre Dame ⬆️ (9)

Nothing about CJ Carr is flashy, but he's quietly having one of the best seasons among quarterbacks. The second-year starter hardly makes mistakes and has completed 88-of-124 passes (71%) for 1,197 yards with 16 total touchdowns to one interception this season.

Carr projects to be one of the top quarterbacks selected in the 2027 NFL Draft, and is coming off a five-touchdown performance in Notre Dame's 37-26 win over North Carolina in Week 5. The fact the Fighting Irish look like one of the top national championship contenders this season also helps Carr's chances.

8. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State ⬇️ (4)

Kamario Taylor falls a few spots in the meter after struggling to take care of the ball in Mississippi State's big loss to Alabama at home in Week 5. The talented QB still threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, but fumbled on the opening possession before throwing two interceptions, including a pick-6.

Taylor exited the game early in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury, although the game was already out of reach. He still leads college football with 17 passing touchdowns, though, and is capable of bouncing back.

9. Gunner Stockton, Georgia ⬆️ (11)

Gunner Stockton's status as a Heisman contender lies more in his ability to keep Georgia's nation-leading offense (51.4 points per game) on schedule while limiting mistakes. The second-year starter ranks sixth nationally with an 88.7 QBR and has one turnover this season. He has a chance to skyrocket up the list with a big game against Alabama.

10. Josh Hoover, Indiana ↔️ (10)

There were concerns about Josh Hoover's turnover rate after he transferred from TCU in the offseason, but those concerns have quickly been put to bed by the veteran quarterback. He has 15 touchdown passes to no interceptions this season, and has taken advantage of an Indiana offense that emphasizes running the ball.

11. Austin Simmons, Missouri ⬆️ (NR)

Did anyone forget about Austin Simmons? The left-handed quarterback transferred from Ole Miss to Missouri in the offseason after losing his starting job to Chambliss last season, but has quickly shown why Lane Kiffin initially trusted him to run the offense.

Simmons has attempted the most passes in college football without throwing an interception this season, having completed 93 of those 137 attempts (67.9%) for 1,287 yards and 13 touchdowns. Turn on Missouri game film and there are numerous high-level throws he makes in every game.

12. Jadan Baugh, Florida ⬇️ (5)

On the flip side of Florida-Missouri is Gators running back Jadan Baugh, who took a stumble in the Heisman race after the loss.

Baugh, who was the nation's rushing leader heading into Week 5, was held to 13 rushing yards on 12 carries in Florida's 45-17 loss to the Tigers. He still ranks tied-for first nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns, but Florida will need to prove its loss was a fluke for Baugh to rebound as a Heisman contender.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman momentum meter: Keelon Russell rises, but can Jeremiah Smith be caught?

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