Nothing makes anything sports-related less entertaining than knowing the outcome long before it happens. Take the ACC. It is pretty much impossible to make a case for anyone other than Clemson to win the championship. For much of the year, it has been looking the same way for the Heisman Trophy race.
Trevor Lawrence has remained the favorite. While he has played almost flawless football, his competition has been sub-standard, and his performance has not been spectacular. He has played very well. But there just has not been anything to make you go ‘wow.’
His Heisman competition has tried hard to make him the only viable candidate:
D’Eriq King was a co-favorite for a week but has since seen his odds drop to +3300. While beating Pitt last weekend helps, his numbers were not spectacular.
Spencer Rattler and Sam Ehlinger (+10000) are no longer in the conversation but at one time were viewed as potential contenders (+900 and +1200, respectively).
Chuba Hubbard was an early longshot at +3300, but after a slow start is an even longer one at +8000.
JT Daniels had good odds at one point (+1400) but isn’t even playing.
For some crazy reason, Kellen Mond had odds as low as +1600 once, but his are now +10000.
Stetson Bennett was looking like he might have a chance at +1000. But after losing to Alabama last weekend, his odds dropped to +3300.
A poor start has knocked Brock Purdy (no odds listed) and Myles Brennan (+20000) out of the running.
Ian Book (+8000) has been good enough to keep Notre Dame winning but has otherwise been unspectacular.
But while Trevor Lawrence’s odds (-167; odds via DraftKings) give him a 62.55 percent chance of winning the Heisman Trophy this year, a few guys are making pretty good cases for themselves.
Heisman Trophy Odds: It Doesn’t Belong to Trevor Yet
Okay, yes—Lawrence looked pretty darn good against Georgia Tech last weekend. Except for an interception, his game was as close to perfect as you can get (24-32 for 404 yards and five touchdowns), which is why his odds got shorter.
However, it would be a more impressive performance if it did not come against the 68th ranked pass defense (yards allowed).
Mac Jones (+350) had a similar performance against a better defense (Georgia’s pass defense is ranked 46th); he went 24-32 for 417 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. It’s his third 400+ yard game in a row.
Jaylen Waddle (+800) had another great game with six catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. But his candidacy will be overshadowed by Jones.
If someone else from Alabama is going to win, it is more likely Najee Harris does. Despite another solid day over the weekend (152 yards and a touchdown), his odds went from +1600 to +2500.
Kyle Trask (+1600) saw his odds take a hit when Florida lost to Texas A&M. If he is going to have a shot, he is going to need to shine the rest of the way.
But while the field of contenders looks thin right now, it is about to grow with the Big Ten kicking things off finally. Everyone will be watching Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (+600) to see what he does. Other Big Ten hopefuls include:
- Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (+5000)
- Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (+8000)
- Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (+8000)
- Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (+10000)
If anyone from the Big Ten will give Trevor Lawrence a run for his money, they will have to hit the ground running in their first game this weekend. Because of their late start and shorter schedule, voters will be less forgiving if performances do not meet or exceed expectations.
