Colorado football star's injury propels Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward in Heisman race

Travis Hunter's injury in Week 7 opened the door for Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward to enter the Heisman race as Denver Sports' Jake Shapiro relays. Gabriel has the best odds for a QB after propelling Oregon over Ohio State in the highest-ranked matchup of the season to take over the No. 2 spot in the AP Top 25 Poll. Ward similarly leads an undefeated 6-0 team under center for The U.

"What Hunter’s injury did do to the Heisman chase is bring the quarterbacks back into the race, which was expected to happen at some point," Shapiro wrote. "Only four players that weren’t QBs have won the award since 2000, meaning the gunslingers will be in this race until the very end. Last week it looked over for all QBs besides Ward but Gabriel is now the favorite at the position."

Hunter returning to the field against Arizona in Week 8 should boost his odds back up. But in truth, even his minor absence shouldn't ding his Heisman odds too much; in a just world, anyway.

Travis Hunter's absence against K-State proves his value to Colorado football

Colorado losing a close game after Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. got injured shows how far the Buffs have come. The Wildcats had been a top-50 defense before Shedeur Sanders and Co. put up 359 yards -- including 388 through the air. The run game was a net negative and CU's top two WRs were injured but the "Grown QB" still had them in the hunt.

It's hard not to think Hunter helps Colorado convert two more third downs if he's not injured in the second quarter. The Buffs likely find that one more score to at least send it into overtime. And maybe Avery Johnson and K-State's offense don't put up 28 at all.

Hunter's absence in the 31-28 could turn out to be a net positive if the winning returns when he's back against Arizona and moving forward.