The Heisman trophy odds were updated again on Sunday to reflect the latest action from Week 7 of the college football season and nobody was surprised by the name at the top of the list of favorites. LSU running back Leonard Fournette remains the overwhelming favorite again this week but remember that Peyton Manning once held a similar Heisman lead before eventually losing the race. Can Fournette see this thing through or will someone else emerge to take it from him?
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
The sophomore back went off for 180 yards and two touchdowns in LSU’s 35-28 win over Florida and is up to an astounding 1,202 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games this season. Fournette has averaged a ridiculous 8.0 yards per carry on the year and he is the biggest reason why the Tigers are undefeated so far at 6-0. There has been absolutely no doubt about who the best player in college football has been and as long as Fournette continues to play at a high level and LSU doesn’t stumble, there will be no debate when it comes to him winning the Heisman trophy.
Seth Russell, Baylor Bears
Quarterback
Running backs had dominated the Heisman trophy outlook for the first few weeks but a couple of quarterbacks have pushed their way in to the conversation. Among the favorites is Baylor’s star passer Russell. The junior quarterback has come on strong for the undefeated Bears in recent weeks and he has now completed 63.2% of his passes for 1,907 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Russell has all of the tools to excel and after carving up West Virginia last week, it is clear he will be in the mix behind Fournette as the top quarterback on the board right now.
Trevone Boykin, TCU Horned Frogs
Quarterback
TCU’s senior quarterback Boykin has been on this list since the beginning of the year and as long as he continues to put up big numbers for an undefeated TCU team, there is every reason to think he will be in the mix. Boykin has completed 66.4% of his passes for 2,539 yards and 25 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions while adding over 300 rushing yards and another five rushing scores. The Horned Frogs have a tough road ahead in the Big 12 that includes games against West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Baylor. However, if Boykin can lead them to a perfect regular season then he will definitely be in the mix as a Heisman candidate.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Running Back
Russell and Boykin might have climbed the ladder in terms of Heisman favorites but there is still a strong cast of running backs that could be in the mix should Fournette slide. That group is led by Ohio State’s running back Elliott. The junior back has rushed for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding another 20 catches for 131 yards as a receiver out of the backfield but his place on this list has more to do with his potential to accomplish more than it does what he has done so far this year. If Elliott can be the biggest star on a Buckeyes’ offense that leads them to an undefeated season then he will definitely be in the mix as a legitimate Heisman contender.
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Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Running Back
Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson have each undoubtedly pushed their way in to the Heisman conversation but Henry still deserves the nod for the final spot on this list based on what he has accomplished to this point. Henry ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns in Alabama’s 41-23 win over Texas A&M and while the Crimson Tide lost to Ole Miss earlier in the season, they still control their own destiny in the SEC West. Henry is up to 901 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season and if he can continue to carve up opposing defenses and Alabama can find a way to get in to the College Football Playoff, then Henry could end up among the finalists to win the Heisman trophy.
