The Heisman trophy race has been dominated by running back candidates since the outset with LSU running back Leonard Fournette emerging as the early favorite and creating an even bigger gap ahead of his competition with every passing week.
The biggest news this week came from Baylor where it was confirmed that star quarterback Seth Russell would miss the remainder of the year with a fractured neck. Russell had climbed in to Heisman consideration over the past couple of weeks as arguably the top quarterback candidate and news of his injury has left us with just one passer among the top five betting favorites to win the award this season. Here is a look at the updated Heisman trophy betting odds.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
The clear favorite to win this year’s Heisman trophy kept his legs churning and ran for 150 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in LSU’s 48-20 win over Western Kentucky. He has now run for 1,352 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. There is absolutely no doubt that Fournette would win the Heisman if the season ended today but with four more games to go, the two keys could very well be staying healthy and finding a way to help the Tigers stay undefeated. All eyes will be on Tuscaloosa this Saturday as LSU clashes with Alabama in an absolutely massive SEC showdown and it will be interesting to see what Fournette has in store against that Crimson Tide defense.
Trevone Boykin, TCU Horned Frogs
Quarterback
The bye week came at an excellent time for TCU as they get an extra few days to prepare for a date with West Virginia at home on Thursday night before travelling to Oklahoma State next week. The news of Russell’s injury has taken away from of the intrigue looking ahead to their season finale with Baylor and it has also left the Horned Frogs’ star quarterback Boykin as the only passer on this list. TCU has the potential to run the table and go undefeated in the Big 12 and if they do that with Boykin leading the way then he could be the player with the best chance to actually provide a threat to Fournette’s runaway Heisman season. Boykin has thrown for 2,539 yards and 25 touchdowns with an additional 440 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground this season and is clearly the best bet among quarterbacks to win the award right now.
Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Running Back
Alabama wouldn’t have escaped with a 19-14 win over Tennessee last week if Henry hadn’t rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Now the Tide’s star running back will be in the spotlight this week as he and Fournette look to put on a show when Alabama clashes with LSU. Henry has rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns already this year and while his numbers aren’t as good as Fournette’s right now, he still has time to catch him including a chance to close the gap this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
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Corey Coleman, Baylor Bears
Wide Receiver
Even though he is clearly the best wide receiver in the country, Coleman’s Heisman stock was already limited by the position he plays. His odds to win the award took another hit this past weekend when his star quarterback suffered a fractured neck. Coleman’s numbers could take a hit as a result of the injury but he is still an elite wide receiver. If freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham steps in and plays at a high level, then he could remain a dark horse Heisman candidate as well as a lock to win the Fred Biletnikoff award.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Running Back
Ohio State remain the No. 1 team in the country at 8-0 and while quarterback J.T. Barrett is coming off a strong performance, it is Elliott who has been their most consistent offensive threat all season. Elliott ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Rutgers and has now rushed for 1,130 yards and 13 scores this season. Those numbers aren’t far off the incredible pace set by Fournette and if Elliott can continue to put up impressive stats and help lead the Buckeyes to an undefeated season, he will undoubtedly be in the conversation as a potential Heisman candidate.
