The Heisman Trophy has long since been a QB-driven award. But for a bit of time this year, we had hope that it may land at a different position altogether. After nine weeks of action, however, two QBs have separated themselves to the top of the leaderboard in the latest Heisman Odds.
Dillon Gabriel Heisman Odds: +260 (was +400)
Tell me you grabbed a Dillon Gabriel For Heisman ticket back when it was at +400. And then I’ll show you a savvy bettor.
There was no indicator that Gabriel’s Heisman candidacy had dropped over the past few weeks following the Ohio State victory. And the remaining strength of schedule for the Ducks indicates the likelihood that they finish the regular season a perfect 12-0.
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Gabriel is now second all-time in passing touchdowns and closing in on the top of the leaderboard for several other metrics of longevity at the QB position. However, he’s doing it by putting forth dominant performance after dominant performance.
It may be quiet, but it’s been incredibly productive and Gabriel is arguably the best player on the best team in the country. It’s that simple sometimes.
Cameron Ward Heisman Odds: +270 (was +260)
Cameron Ward didn’t quite shorten his odds this week, but he certainly didn’t hurt himself. After a win against Florida State that could’ve been a bit cleaner, the staff at Miami did everything they could to strengthen Ward’s Heisman candidacy.
With a receiving touchdown now to his credit and the hardest remaining game on their schedule accounted for, Ward is sitting pretty all the way to the ACC Championship Game it appears.
He’ll have to play a dominant game in that ACC Championship as well as avoid any slip-ups en route to the postseason. But with the way he and the Hurricanes have been playing, this season is full of destiny.
Travis Hunter Heisman Odds: +330 (was +2800)
Welcome back to the show, Travis Hunter. A week after playing minimal snaps (to his standard), Hunter was back in a big way against Cincinnati in Week 9.
Hunter hauled in two receiving touchdowns and put forth his usual dominant display of athleticism, ball skills, sticky coverage ability, and tremendous receiving talent against the Bearcats.
Perhaps his Heisman moment came as well when he backflipped in the end zone and posed like Spider-Man following his first receiving score of the night, a moment that got the crowd at Folsom Field incredibly hyped.
He means more to his team than any non-QB, and if that isn’t a Heisman-worthy trait, nothing is.
Ashton Jeanty Heisman Odds: +400 (was +220)
After a bye week that set up the biggest Group of Five showdown of the season, Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos are in the driver’s seat for the College Football Playoffs.
However, Jeanty’s Heisman candidacy took a hit after the first quarter saw Jeanty struggle to get moving against UNLV’s defense. At one point, Jeanty had negative yards rushing for the first time this season.
But once the game really got going in Boise’s favor, it was because of Jeanty and Jeanty alone. His impactful performance keeps him in the race, just like the remaining easy games on their schedule will.
But he’ll have to have another one of those world-beating performances a couple times over to recoup what he lost from the UNLV game.
Other Heisman Odds
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: +2000
- Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: +3500
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: +4000
- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: +5000
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: +5000
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: +5000
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