While the College Football Playoff picture became a lot more interesting in Week 11, the same can’t be said for the Heisman trophy race. Two of the top three teams in the country faltered to completely open the door for a number of contenders for the four playoff spots heading in to the final weeks of the regular season. At the same time, the Heisman trophy favorite solidified his position with an outstanding performance in a big win over TCU. Here is a look at the Heisman trophy race according to the updated sports betting odds.
QB: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Heisman Trophy Odds: -2000
Mayfield solidified his position as the Heisman trophy favorite with a dominant performance in a double-digit win over TCU. Mayfield completed 18-of-27 pass attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. The senior quarterback has thrown for 3,559 yards and 31 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions this season while leading Oklahoma to a 9-1 record. The Sooners are a couple of wins away from solidifying a Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. As long as Mayfield finishes strong he should be a lock to win the Heisman trophy.
RB: Bryce Love, UCLA
Heisman Trophy Odds: +1000
Injuries took a substantial toll on Love’s Heisman stock, but he bounced back with an excellent performance in last week’s win over Washington. Love rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a close win over a Pac-12 rival at home. The junior running back has averaged a ridiculous 9.0 yards per carry while rushing for 1,622 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. If it wasn’t for an injury and Mayfield’s stock soaring over the past month, Love would be considered a legitimate Heisman trophy contender at this point in time.
RB: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Heisman Trophy Odds: +1600
Once considered a lock to finish among the Heisman finalists, Barkley’s stock continued to slide in Week 11. The junior running back was held to just 2.5 yards per carry while rushing for just 35 yards in a 35-6 win over Rutgers. While he did punch in two touchdowns, Barkley has been held to 63 rushing yards or fewer in each of his last three starts. The Nittany Lions are no longer playoff contenders and Barkley is now considered a long shot to challenge for the Heisman.
QB: Khalil Tate, Arizona Wildcats
Heisman Trophy Odds: +2500
While Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson are just outside of the conversation, Tate has climbed the ladder as a Heisman candidate according to the sports betting odds. The sophomore quarterback threw for just 68 passing yards last week. However, Tate also ran for 206 rushing yards and two scores in the victory over Oregon State. Tate has been even more dangerous as a runner than he has a passer this season while leading the Wildcats to a 7-3 record. He is a definite long shot to win the award at this point, but Tate is still at least in the conversation to win the Heisman according to the updated sports betting odds.
RB: Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin Badgers
Heisman Trophy Odds: +2500
Taylor is a big longshot but he’s moved into the Heisman Trophy conversation. That’s because the Wisconsin Badgers have emerged as the top team in the Big Ten. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan all have two losses while the Badgers are still undefeated. We’ll see if that changes this weekend when the Badgers host the Michigan Wolverines.
At any rate, Taylor has been the hammer for this team on offense, even though the defense is really who carries the mail for the Badgers. Still, Taylor’s 1525 yards rushing are third in the country and he has 12 touchdowns to go with it. He’s really burst onto the scene since the start of October, rolling over Nebraska for 249 yards followed by a 219-yard performance against Purdue. He had 157 last week against Iowa, which was considered to be Wisconsin’s strongest opponent. If he has another big showing against Michigan, he could become one of the Heisman Trophy finalists.
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