The highly anticipated showdown between No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame this week isn’t just a rivalry game; it’s a critical inflection point for the Heisman Trophy aspirations of two emerging quarterbacks, Jayden Maiava of USC and CJ Carr of Notre Dame. A victory could propel either player into serious contention, while a loss could effectively end their Heisman hopes, adding immense stakes to an already storied matchup.
The Heisman Trophy race, a season-long narrative of individual brilliance on college football’s grandest stages, is heating up as the season reaches its midway point. This week, all eyes turn to South Bend, Indiana, where the historic rivalry between No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame is set to host a pivotal moment for two quarterbacks on the periphery of the Heisman discussion: USC’s Jayden Maiava and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr.
Both teams arrive with compelling storylines. Notre Dame has surged, winning four consecutive games after a challenging 0-2 start against top-five opponents. USC, standing at 5-1, is just one game-winning drive by Illinois away from an undefeated record. The victor in this contest will see their quarterback’s Heisman odds dramatically improve, creating an “intriguing sleeper case” for the remainder of the season, according to Yahoo Sports.
Jayden Maiava’s Ascent: From Transfer to Trojan Star
USC’s Jayden Maiava has quietly built a strong case for the Heisman Trophy, currently standing at 22-1 odds at the season’s midpoint. His performance in Week 7 against Michigan, where he completed 25 of 32 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns, showcased his efficiency despite a second interception of the season. Through six games, Maiava is ninth nationally in completion percentage at 71.9% and leads the country with an impressive 10.8 yards per attempt, demonstrating his ability to stretch the field.
Maiava’s journey to becoming one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football has been a dynamic one. After a freshman season at UNLV in 2023, he briefly transferred to Georgia before ultimately landing with the Trojans. In 2024, during USC’s inaugural season in the Big Ten, he played in seven games as the team navigated a quarterback change. Now, in his second season in the USC offense and established as the undisputed starter for 2025, Maiava is flourishing, leading the Big Ten in passing yards and touchdowns through five weeks, according to Yahoo Sports.
CJ Carr’s Rise: Steering the Fighting Irish Offense
On the other side of the rivalry, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, with 30-1 Heisman odds, has shown remarkable poise and steady improvement in his first season as a starter. Despite a tight 41-40 loss to Texas A&M in Week 2 where he threw for nearly 300 yards and completed over 62% of his passes, Carr has consistently demonstrated his capabilities. In Week 7 against NC State, he threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing, recording his first interception since the A&M game.
Carr stands out as one of only three quarterbacks this season, alongside Maiava and Washington’s Demond Williams, to average over 10 yards per attempt. While the Fighting Irish offense heavily leans on its potent run game featuring Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price – rushing nearly nine times more per game than it throws – Carr has proven adept at exploiting defenses focused on stopping the run. His ability to throw for over 300 yards for a third time this season could be crucial if USC commits too many resources to containing Notre Dame’s star running backs.
The “Heisman Moment” & Its Legacy in the Rivalry
The USC-Notre Dame game inherently carries a weight that can create legendary performances, and a “Heisman moment” is precisely what both Maiava and Carr will be chasing. This concept, often defined by an iconic play or a transcendent game-long performance on a national stage, can dramatically alter a player’s Heisman trajectory. Fans often recall specific instances where a player’s candidacy solidified through sheer will and exceptional talent in a high-stakes environment.
Historically, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry has been a stage for such brilliance. Fans vividly remember USC’s former quarterback, Caleb Williams, and his electrifying 2022 performance against Notre Dame. During that game, Williams struck the iconic “Heisman pose” after a rushing touchdown, a symbolic gesture that underscored his dominance and played a significant role in his eventual Heisman Trophy win. This historical context amplifies the anticipation for Maiava and Carr; a similar moment of individual mastery in this rivalry could etch their names into Heisman lore.
The Broader Heisman Landscape: Sleepers and Favorites
While a win in this marquee matchup won’t immediately place either Jayden Maiava or CJ Carr among the clear Heisman favorites like Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Miami’s Carson Beck (both at +350 odds), it will undoubtedly provide the winning quarterback with an “intriguing sleeper case” heading into the final five weeks of the season. The path to New York for these dark horse candidates relies on sustained excellence and capitalizing on every opportunity.
Other quarterbacks and offensive stars are also under the Heisman watch in Week 8:
- Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss (20-1): The former Ferris State standout needs to keep Ole Miss winning, especially with a critical game against No. 9 Georgia on the horizon after a narrow escape against Washington State. His performance in high-pressure games, similar to his win against LSU, will be key to lowering his odds.
- Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar (30-1): With nearly 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns through six games, the former UCLA QB’s major hurdle is ball security. His five interceptions this season, including crucial ones in losses and close wins, highlight the need for a clean game against Alabama to bolster his case.
- Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed (20-1): Facing a “sneaky test” against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Reed will be without leading rusher Le’Veon Moss. A win would move A&M to 4-0 in conference play, and a strong individual showing from Reed in Moss’s absence could significantly boost his Heisman profile.
- Oregon QB Dante Moore (17-1): After a loss to Indiana, Moore needs a dominant bounce-back performance against Rutgers. With a schedule that doesn’t feature another ranked opponent until USC on November 22nd, he must consistently stack impressive numbers week after week to regain the momentum he had when his odds were as low as +500.
The Heisman Trophy is often decided by narratives built through season-long consistency and defining performances in high-pressure situations. For Jayden Maiava and CJ Carr, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry game offers precisely that opportunity to seize the spotlight and significantly alter their Heisman destinies.
