Something interesting is happening in South Bend, and Notre Dame fans might want to enjoy it while it lasts. Quarterback CJ Carr has moved to the top of the 2026 Heisman Trophy conversation. But getting there and staying there are two different challenges.

Carr didn’t just improve his Heisman chances last Saturday. He made a statement against the team that had occupied the No. 1 spot in the country. In Notre Dame’s 31-24 upset of Miami, Carr completed 29 of 40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also outplayed fellow Heisman contender Darian Mensah in a game that mattered.

The betting markets responded quickly. Carr moved from around +550 to as short as +130 or +140, depending on the sportsbook. Mensah and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith remain close enough to make this an interesting race, but Carr has the attention of the college football world.

Carr’s Heisman Case Is Getting Stronger

Carr’s candidacy is about more than one big Saturday night. Notre Dame is 8-1 and sitting fifth in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. If the Irish finish the regular season at 11-1, Carr will have an opportunity to carry that momentum into the playoff conversation.

There is also a little history attached to this one. Notre Dame hasn’t had a Heisman winner since Tim Brown took home the award in 1987. That’s a long wait for a program with the Fighting Irish’s football tradition. Still, Carr won’t win a trophy because of Notre Dame’s history. He’ll have to earn it. In fact, will playing for Notre Dame be an issue? Who knows?

How Things Could Get Interesting for Carr

One concern is the schedule ahead. Notre Dame doesn’t have another top-10 opponent remaining in its regular season. That’s not necessarily Carr’s fault, but Heisman voters tend to remember the big performances against the biggest opponents. Meanwhile, Mensah still has an opportunity to make another statement, and Smith could make a late run if Ohio State gets back on track.

I think Carr has put himself in an excellent position. Beating the nation’s No. 1 team while delivering that kind of performance is difficult to ignore. But the next few weeks may tell us more about his Heisman chances than the Miami game did.

Can he keep producing when the spotlight gets brighter? Can he lead Notre Dame into the playoff with his Heisman momentum intact? Notre Dame fans have waited a long time for another Heisman winner. They might finally have someone worth watching closely. The question now is whether CJ Carr can finish what he started.

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