Heisman Trophy odds: Top 5 candidates entering the final weeks
With two weeks remaining in the college football regular season, there's no clear-cut favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, college football's most prestigious individual honor. In most years, a player typically delivers memorable moments in high-pressure nationally televised games.
Perhaps those days are behind us with the expanded conferences. Or maybe this is just a down year for quarterbacks. Regardless, the award contenders aren't marquee names who carry much weight on the national scale, especially since preseason favorites Arch Manning and Cade Klubnik have severely underwhelmed.
Winning is valued in the Heisman discussion, but not to the extent of the NFL MVP race. Jayden Daniels and Travis Hunter recently earned the Heisman despite playing for teams that missed the playoffs. This season, the winner will likely be someone who's leading one of the nation's top squads. Let's catch you up on the top five contenders on the oddsboard as things heat up.
π You can find the full Heisman odds list on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
5. Gunner Stockton (+2000) - Georgia
| Comp. % | Passing yards | Total TDs | INT | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70.7 | 2269 | 27 | 3 | 156.9 |
Georgia has won six straight contests and has a fast track to the SEC title game at 9-1. How the Bulldogs are winning is a departure from the typical dominant teams of their past. The school's defense this season has been anything but prevailing, often surrendering high-scoring performances to conference foes. But led by Stockton's reliable, mistake-free quarterback play, Georgia's offense is carrying the squad.
Stockton slid into the starting role following Carson Beck's departure. Many assumed he'd have to rely on the Bulldogs' defense and running game, as many former Georgia quarterbacks have. While the program still possesses a dangerous rushing attack, Stockton's arm has carried it to many wins. He doesn't have the same eye-popping statistics as some of his peers, but few signal-callers in the country are more reliable. Stockton leads all SEC quarterbacks in completion percentage.
4. Diego Pavia (+2000) - Vanderbilt
| Comp. % | Passing yards | Total TDs | INT | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | 2440 | 28 | 5 | 166.8 |
Pavia has the swagger and attitude of a Heisman winner. He's second in the SEC in completion percentage and rarely turns the ball over. The fact that he's helped transform Vanderbilt - a perennial laughingstock in the SEC - into a conference contender deserves award consideration.
While Pavia has a huge personality and loves the social-media chatter, he doesn't have any on-field Heisman-worthy moments. Vanderbilt lost its two most difficult games to Alabama and Texas. And even in the Commodores' big wins, it was their defense that set the tone more than Pavia. In victories over LSU and Missouri in October, he combined for 289 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This race might be wide open, but Pavia hasn't done enough to separate himself.
3. Marcel Reed (+550) - Texas A&M
| Comp. % | Passing yards | Total TDs | INT | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61.5 | 2632 | 28 | 8 | 156.9 |
Reed would be the favorite if Heisman voters primarily focused on team success. It's one thing to be undefeated in the Big Ten, but it's a different level of accomplishment in the SEC. Even if Texas A&M hasn't played other top SEC contenders, the conference is still the deepest in the country.
Reed has thrown for the third-most yards in the SEC and is a dual-threat quarterback, adding six rushing touchdowns. The problem is his completion percentage, which is significantly lower than that of his fellow award contenders. He's not always accurate and often a reckless decision-maker. Although I'd be surprised if Reed earns the honor, it'll be hard to leave him off the nominees list if the Aggies finish the season undefeated.
2. Julian Sayin (+225) - Ohio State
| Comp. % | Passing yards | Total TDs | INT | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 2675 | 25 | 4 | 186.2 |
It probably doesn't really matter who Ohio State starts at quarterback. The Buckeyes are the most talented team in the country on both sides of the ball, but particularly at wide receiver, where any passer could excel in Ohio State's system. But that's not Sayin's fault. He's done everything asked of him.
The job description for any Buckeyes signal-caller is to avoid turning the ball over and get it to playmakers quickly. Sayin does that, tossing only four interceptions and topping the nation in completion percentage. The knock on him is that Ohio State has had a remarkably easy schedule, leaving him without an electric Heisman moment. The Buckeyes' marquee win came in the opener against Texas, a game dominated by defense. Still, this team is a prohibitive favorite to win the title, which carries tremendous weight.
1. Fernando Mendoza (-125) - Indiana
| Comp. % | Passing yards | Total TDs | INT | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 2641 | 35 | 5 | 184.8 |
Mendoza might win by default. It's hard to imagine any other quarterback closing the gap with legendary moments in the final two weeks. Mendoza has led Indiana to an undefeated record, with marquee wins over Oregon and Iowa. The Hoosiers aren't just a fun story inflated by an easy schedule like last season. This group is a real national title contender largely due to its upgrade at quarterback.
Mendoza is incredibly accurate, delivers in big moments, and is a sound decision-maker. He hasn't posted absurd numbers or consistently produced highlight plays, but nobody has in this Heisman race. The award is Mendoza's to lose.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.