Heisman watch: Is Hunter running away with the award?
After an interception Saturday against Utah, Travis Hunter flashed the Heisman pose as an emblem of the iconic trophy awarded to the nation's most outstanding college football player.
Hunter entered the Utah matchup as the Heisman favorite and strengthened his position with another impressive showing. Once considered a long shot to win, the Colorado wide receiver and cornerback's history-making season has grabbed the country's attention.
It's unprecedented for players to play full snap counts on offense and defense, but the projected first-round pick is elite as a pass catcher and a defensive back.
Oddsmakers assigned Hunter a 1% chance of winning the Heisman in the preseason. It's up to 80% with just two regular-season games remaining. Here's how Hunter's odds have fluctuated throughout the campaign:
Travis Hunter's Heisman odds
| Week | Odds |
|---|---|
| Preseason | +6000 |
| Week 1 | +2200 |
| Week 2 | +6000 |
| Week 3 | +3000 |
| Week 4 | +1600 |
| Week 5 | +700 |
| Week 6 (CU's bye) | +700 |
| Week 7 | +325 |
| Week 8 | +600 |
| Week 9 | +2000 |
| Week 10 | +200 |
| Week 11 | +225 |
| Week 12 | +100 |
| Now | -400 |
Part of the hesitancy surrounding Hunter's Heisman bid was that Colorado wouldn't win enough games. The Heisman isn't always awarded to a playoff-caliber team, but it typically goes to a player suiting up for a top program.
Colorado's preseason win total was 5.5, and legitimate questions surrounded the Buffaloes after a shaky 1-1 start. They've won seven of their past eight since and will clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game if they win their final two contests. Colorado is currently the favorite to win the Big 12 (-115), which would grant it an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
It's also rare for a non-quarterback to win. Only four non-quarterbacks have won the Heisman this century, and three were running backs. DeVonta Smith in 2020 is the only wideout to earn the honor. Charles Woodson in 1997 is the only defensive player to win.
Hunter's campaign as a multi-positional athlete makes his case unique. Plus, it helps that quarterbacks have had a down year, and 2025 is projected to be one of the worst quarterback draft classes in recent NFL history.
Heisman Trophy odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Travis Hunter | -400 |
| Ashton Jeanty | +375 |
| Cam Ward | +1200 |
| Dillon Gabriel | +2500 |
| Jalen Milroe | +2500 |
| Kurtis Rourke | +2500 |
Miami quarterback Cam Ward was the favorite a few weeks ago, but the Hurricanes' 23-point output in an upset loss to Georgia Tech ended their undefeated season and Ward's Heisman hopes.
The only other quarterback in contention is Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, who is one win away from an undefeated regular season. A Big Ten championship against Ohio State is the Ducks' only remaining marquee game before the Heisman is decided. Gabriel hasn't produced remarkable statistical outputs and has benefitted from a loaded roster. However, he could cover some ground if he shines against the Buckeyes again and leads the Ducks to a Big Ten title.
The closest challenger to Hunter is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the favorite earlier this season when he was on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.
Jeanty is still 735 rushing yards shy of Sanders' record. While that mark seems unlikely, Jeanty could catch Melvin Gordon for the second-most rushing yards in a season. He's 694 yards short of Gordon and should play in a Mountain West title game, but Jeanty's Heisman momentum has slowed down. It doesn't help Jeanty's case that his fiercest competitor has Colorado head coach Deion Sanders' marketing machine at his disposal.
Assuming Hunter stays healthy and Colorado keeps winning, he won't just mimic the Heisman symbol, he'll raise the trophy in December.
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.