Lamar Jackson took a moment out of another monster performance to show the entire college football world that he was well aware of his position in regards to Heisman trophy voting through the first eight weeks of the season. Jackson flashed the signature Heisman pose in the middle of another dominant performance on the field and it should be no surprise that his Heisman stock received another boost. Here is a look at the updated Heisman trophy favorites according to the sports betting odds heading in to week nine of the college football season.
QB: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Heisman Trophy Odds: -300
Jackson did everything he could to improve his Heisman trophy stock in a 54-13 win over NC State on Saturday. The sophomore quarterback threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns with an additional 76 rushing yards and a rushing score. Jackson even busted out the Heisman trophy pose on one of his runs to send a message to the college football world that he knows who the frontrunner to win the award is. Jackson’s odds to win the award shifted from -190 last week to -300 this week as he continues to tighten his grip on the Heisman trophy.
QB: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Heisman Trophy Odds: +750
Watson and the Tigers had the week off following their overtime win over NC State, but the fact that Jackson put up better numbers in a lopsided win over the Wolfpack than Watson did the previous week led to Watson’s odds to win the Heisman dropping from +375 to +750 this week. Watson has shown improvement throughout the season following a slow start but his numbers don’t even come close to matching Jackson’s production, even though Clemson beat Louisville. Watson will be in the mix as a Heisman contender for as long as the Tigers remain undefeated but his stock took a bit of a hit during his week off thanks to another electric performance from Jackson.
S: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Heisman Trophy Odds: +750
Peppers didn’t need to dominate in Michigan’s 41-8 win over Illinois but he did line up all over the field again as a safety, cornerback, linebacker, wide receiver, running back and return man. There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Peppers’ unique ability will be enough for him to beat out a quarterback for this year’s award. With Jackson delivering another marquee performance this week it should be no surprise that Peppers’ odds to win the Heisman Trophy didn’t change at +750.
QB: Jake Browning, Washington
Heisman Trophy Odds: +1000
Browning wasn’t as sharp as he has been in the past but he still delivered a strong performance in Washington’s 41-17 win over Oregon State. Browning completed 14-of-28 pass attempts for 291 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 21 yards and another score. Most importantly, the Huskies improved to 7-0, including a 4-0 mark in Pac-12 competition. Browning’s stock will continue to climb for as long as he continues to produce at a high level while keeping the Huskies undefeated, with a tough test coming up this week on the road versus Utah.
QB: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Heisman Trophy Odds: +1200
Barrett’s stock certainly took a hit with Ohio State suffering its first loss of the season with a stunning 24-21 defeat at Penn State on Saturday night. Barrett completed 28-of-43 pass attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown but was limited to 26 rushing yards on 17 carries. He never really looked comfortable in the pocket. The main issue here is that two weeks in a row, the Ohio State offense hasn’t done enough. They haven’t been terrible, but they haven’t been elite and that’s going to cost a guy like Barrett in terms of the Heisman Trophy race. His success is directly linked to the offense.
The shocking loss to the Nittany Lions was a tremendous blow to Ohio State’s playoff chances while Barrett’s Heisman trophy odds dropped from +750 to +1200. Barrett has been praised for his leadership and overall play with the Buckeyes so far this season but a shocking loss to Penn State could signal the beginning of the end in terms of his Heisman stock.
