With the college football season beginning in earnest this weekend, Props.com wanted to celebrate the new year with a look of this year’s Heisman Trophy betting favorites, dark horses and long shots. At least before the opening kickoff for most teams, with Week Zero behind us and a full Week 1 schedule on deck.
Following is a Heisman Trophy odds question-and-answer session with Motoi Pearson, senior trader for WynnBet.
Heisman Trophy Betting: The Favorites
QUESTION: Who are the five most formidable favorites for the Heisman Trophy, heading into Week 1 of the college season?
PEARSON: I’d say the five most formidable favorites for the Heisman Trophy are:
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, +450
DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson, +900
Bryce Young, Alabama, +1000
CJ Stroud, Ohio State, +1500
J.T. Daniels, Georgia, +1500
With the history of quarterbacks winning the Heisman under Lincoln Riley (Baker Mayfield in 2017, Kyler Murray in 2018), the hype behind where this Oklahoma team stands and Rattler having a full year under his belt, it’s hard to deny him as a front-runner for the Heisman.
Uiagalelei (Clemson), Bryce Young (Alabama) and CJ Stroud (Ohio State) are all first-year starters and have a chance to showcase their talents with their highly respected programs. Uiagalelei and Young have had a year (as backups) with their teams, and should be very successful in their respected offenses.
But keep your eye on CJ Stroud. He just earned the starting spot at Ohio State (No. 4 in the Associated Press preseason poll), and he’s inheriting one of the top wide receiver rooms in the country. Stroud could be set to make a Heisman run with the talent that Ohio State has on offense alone.
Last but not least, J.T. Daniels (1,231 yards passing, 10 TDs in four starts with the Dawgs) had a strong run with Georgia last year when (offensive coordinator) Todd Monken was putting that offense together. This year, (Georgia’s) ready to make a run at the national title, and Daniels should be that defining piece, going forward.
Heisman Trophy Betting: Position Specials
QUESTION: Is there an official betting line for the quarterback position claiming Heisman honors in 2021 — be it Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell, D.J. Uigaglelei, D’Eriq King or Brock Purdy, among others?
PEARSON: It’s so rare for another position that’s not a quarterback to win the Heisman. (NOTE: Seventeen QBs have captured the Heisman Trophy since 2000.)
WynnBet didn’t want to put up a price that was in other words astronomical for a market like this.
Considering wide receiver Devonta Smith won it last year, the first time a wide receiver has won it in two decades, quarterbacks clearly still reign supreme to win this coveted award.
Heisman Trophy Betting: Latest Action
QUESTION: Which Heisman favorites are generating good business at WynnBet?
PEARSON: Our favorites haven’t generated much interest yet, smaller bites on (Oklahoma QB) Spencer Rattler.
QUESTION: Which medium/long shots have gotten tangible backing before the games start rolling?
PEARSON: Quarterbacks Matt Corral (Mississippi, +2,000) and Sam Howell (North Carolina, +1,500) have essentially been the most popular middle-of-the-pack-type options.
QUESTION: Which primary contender hasn’t yet attracted much of a buying frenzy?
PEARSON: Between Bryce Young and J.T. Daniels, there hasn’t been much on those two quarterbacks. They should be front-runners (if) leading their programs to a national title.
Heisman Trophy Betting: Running Backs
QUESTION: Can a running back outside of the SEC bubble, perhaps Iowa State’s Breece Hall (+8,000) or Ohio State’s Master Teague (+15,000), realistically contend for the Heisman prize?
PEARSON: It’ll be tough for a Breece Hall or a Master Teague to win. In my opinion, they are sharing an offense with two quarterbacks (Brock Purdy, CJ Stroud) who’ll be just as heralded to win the trophy.
But I think one running back to look out for is Texas tailback Bijan Robinson (+2,000). New head coach Steve Sarkisian, who has taken over the reins in Austin, has done excellent work with running backs everywhere. He has been with (big-time programs), such as USC, Washington and Alabama. Look for Robinson to be a workhorse for a team with two young quarterbacks at the helm.
Heisman Trophy Betting: Defensive Dark Horses
QUESTION: Which defender currently holds better odds of pulling off a Heisman upset this fall — LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux?
PEARSON: This is a tough one. I’d probably pull for Kayvon Thibodeaux (field bet, +1,000) if I had to choose between the two.
With the Ducks (reigning Pac-12 champs, No. 11 in the Associated Press preseason poll) not having a clear-cut star on offense, look for this defense to be the main difference (for) Oregon making a playoff run, and look for Thibodeaux to be leading the way.