The outlook for this year’s Heisman trophy race was shaken up again following Ohio State’s shocking loss to Michigan State as star running back Ezekiel Elliott called out the Buckeyes’ coaching staff for his lack of touches. He also told reporters that he would enter next year’s NFL Draft. Elliott may have very well played his last snap for Ohio State and while he is still available to bet on to win this year’s Heisman Trophy odds at +450, it makes sense to scratch his name off the list of contenders. Here is a look at the Heisman trophy race according to the latest updated odds.
Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Running Back
A 210-yard, three-touchdown performance in Alabama’s 30-16 when over LSU vaulted Henry to the top of the list in terms of betting odds to win the Heisman trophy and after he followed that game up with another 204 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-16 win over Mississippi State, it was clear he deserved to be the favorite. Henry had just 68 yards on nine carries in Saturday’s lopsided win over Charleston Southern but he did add two touchdowns. Nobody is going to fault him for that performance as it was clear that the Tide didn’t really need much from him in what amounted to as a bye week.
He will have the opportunity to finish the year with a bang as the Tide will close out the regular season at Auburn with a chance to clinch their spot in the SEC Championship game. Henry has averaged 6.1 yards per carry while rushing for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns and a strong finish to the year could be enough to make him a lock to win the Heisman.
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Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
It wasn’t long ago that Fournette appeared to be a lock to win this year’s Heisman at ridiculous odds but he has faltered. It started when he was opposite of Henry with just 31 yards on 19 carries in the game against Alabama. Then he failed to reach the 100-yard rushing mark for the second week in a row (and second time all season) against Arkansas. Fournette finally got back on track with 108 rushing yards against Ole Miss but he couldn’t find the end zone in a 38-17 loss. His 108 rushing yards seemed fairly irrelevant too given the nature of the game; his team got blown out. After compiling 15 touchdowns through his first seven games, he has just two scores over his last three games. Fournette still has an impressive 1,582 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season but he has fallen more than a full step back of Henry in the Heisman race.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Quarterback
Watson remains the dark horse candidate to steal the Heisman trophy in his sophomore season as he has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards with 26 touchdowns with an additional 642 rushing yards and six scores. And he’s also led Clemson to an 11-0 record. The Tigers are the top-ranked team in the country and while he might not be the clear favorite, the fact that Watson has put up such impressive numbers at the quarterback position while helping Clemson stay perfect will keep him in the conversation heading into this final stretch.
Corey Coleman, Baylor Bears
Wide Receiver
Coleman remains a massive long shot to win the Heisman but he is the top wide receiver in the country. He has recorded 66 catches for 1,306 yards and 20 touchdowns to stay in the mix. Injuries to Baylor’s top two quarterbacks really hurt Coleman’s potential stock but a strong finish to the season could be enough to make him a finalist for this year’s Heisman. If Baylor can win the Big 12 on his back while overcoming all sorts of quarterbacking issues, he’s going to get consideration. Even if he doesn’t win the Heisman, he’s likely the shoe-in for the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top wide receiver.
