Although a wild weekend shook up the College Football Playoff rankings, the Heisman Trophy race is mostly unchanged.

Colorado star Travis Hunter is the front-runner for the award, but Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and Miami's Cam Ward remain in contention. At this point, that hierarchy has been clear for several weeks.

However, there's a real possibility that Hunter and CU won't play in a conference title game. Jeanty and Boise State are locked into a league championship clash, though, and Ward-led Miami can earn a place this weekend. The potential impact of that extra contest won't necessarily be immense, yet it should not be ignored, either.

Will either one be able to track down Hunter?

The tiers are a personal view but consider a player's production, team success and more historical Heisman trends.

Tier 4: May Receive Votes

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: After that showing at Oklahoma in Bama's third loss, Milroe might not—and probably should not—attract many votes. Still, he's totaled more than 3,000 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns. Good year on a good team. Alabama, which cannot make the SEC Championship Game, hosts Auburn to close the regular season.

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: Klubnik took advantage of a stat-padding tilt with The Citadel, throwing three touchdowns in a blowout win. He enters the finale against South Carolina with 3,136 offensive yards and 34 scores. No matter what happens in the Palmetto Bowl, Clemson will play SMU for the ACC title if Miami loses at Syracuse.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: The loss to Kansas realistically eliminated Sanders from contention. He'll probably get votes, though. Sanders has passed for 3,488 yards and 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions, helping Colorado become a real threat in the Big 12.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: What a crushing day. Florida upset Ole Miss as Dart threw two interceptions, falling to the fringe of the Heisman discussion while Ole Miss essentially exited the CFP race. Dart's production (4,107 total yards and 27 scores) may lead to scattered votes.

Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU: Jennings will likely be the final addition to the Heisman board. While his box-score numbers of 2,836 offensive yards and 21 touchdowns are modest, SMU is locked into the ACC Championship Game. If the Mustangs finish 12-1 with a league title and CFP trip, don't be surprised if Jennings appears on some ballots.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee: The touchdown streak lives for Sampson, who rushed for 77 yards and a score in Tennessee's rout of UTEP. Sampson has found the end zone in all 11 games, and he ranks seventh nationally with 1,307 yards on the ground.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: If the Longhorns win the SEC, it's safe to expect Ewers will garner a little attention. For that to happen, Texas absolutely must win at Texas A&M this weekend.

Tier 3: The Fourth Finalist

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State: The comfortable win over Indiana basically locked Ohio State into the College Football Playoff. Also, the Buckeyes will play in the Big Ten Championship Game if they topple rival Michigan this weekend. Howard, who leads the country with a 74.0 completion rate, has totaled 2,806 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon: Assuming the Buckeyes win, the Big Ten title matchup could have a different name: Winner's QB Takes Fourth in Heisman Voting. Not as catchy, but probably just as accurate. Gabriel has collected 3,221 offensive yards and 28 scores as the quarterback for Oregon, the nation's last unbeaten team.

Tier 2: Expected Finalists

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: Thanks to a late touchdown drive, Boise State survived a trip to Wyoming and clinched a spot in the Mountain West Championship Game. Jeanty is safely a finalist with 2,062 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns. Boise State's last regular-season game comes at home against Oregon State on Friday.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami: Ward tossed a head-shaking interception again, but balance that moment with him throwing for 280 yards and totaling three touchdowns as Miami—in a subpar day—still won 42-14. Ward stands atop the country with 34 passing scores and is second at 3,774 yards through the air. If Miami wins at Syracuse, the 'Canes will secure a place in the ACC title game. Ward needs that opportunity to have a shot at a winning argument.

Tier 1: The Favorite

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The bad news is Colorado fell to Kansas, shifting Travis Hunter into the range of a potential Heisman winner on a three-loss team. While that's not a disqualifier, it's historically the edge of consideration.

Even if CU loses its finale, though, it seems likely that Hunter will be flashing the pose in New York.

Despite the loss at KU, he made eight catches for 125 yards—surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season—and two touchdowns. Hunter added a season-high seven tackles with a pass breakup, as well.

Quarterbacks like Ward can spark a program. Running backs like Jeanty can carry an offense. But there simply isn't anyone in the nation who affects an entire game like Hunter, a reliable playmaker at wide receiver and a worthy All-American pick at corner.