Betting Site: 2021 B1G (and other) Heisman Trophy Front-Runners

Occasionally I get emails from people in the sports betting world. No idea how they got my information, but whatever.

We’re not even letting the ink dry or the engraving settle or the trophy rust or whatever for the 2020 Heisman Trophy—time to move on to 2021, right?!

Anyway, here are the odds from a site called Sports Betting Dime. [Note: If you’re from SBNation and mad I didn’t use DraftKings or whatever we’re apparently affiliated with now, hi! I’d love to use your odds. Feel free to add me to the mailing list!]

@SBD ODDS TO WIN THE 2021 HEISMAN TROPHY

1. Spencer Rattler (QB, Oklahoma Sooners): 7/1

Sure, normal enough. Fast-paced offense, torched an SEC defense—which we know is the be-all, end-all for being A Good Football Player (never mind that Northwestern just scored 35 points on one)—big name school.

No issues here? Moving on.

2. D.J. Uiagalelei (QB, Clemson Tigers): 9/1

Played well against Notre Dame. Plays at Clemson.

You’re doing to see a theme here.

3. JT Daniels (QB, Georgia Bulldogs): 11/1

Quarterback. Georgia. Moving on.

4. Bryce Young (QB, Alabama Crimson Tide): 13/1

This ain’t an SEC site. I’m sure an Alabama quarterback will put up lots of points. Honestly didn’t know Mac Jones was graduating. Congrats to Bryce Young.

T-5. Jayden Daniels (QB, Arizona State Sun Devils): 14/1

Here’s an interesting one! Daniels threw 17 touchdowns against just two interceptions in his freshman season, and ran for four touchdowns in 2020—more than he managed in a full 2019 season. Not the most accurate passer you’ll ever see, and sees unwise to bet on a Pac-12 team that’s probably not going to make a Rose Bowl, let alone show up in the College Football Playoff.

T-5. Kedon Slovis (QB, USC Trojans): 14/1

This is the more likely of the two. Wonder how many 11am CT games the Trojans will have to play to get Slovis to the attention of the eastern media?

T-5. Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina Tar Heels): 14/1

If you think THIS one’s ridiculous...

T-8. D’Eric King (QB, Miami Hurricanes) 15/1

No, we’re not laughing yet. Plays at a name school, and any ACC QB would vault to the top of the rankings with a big performance—in a victory—against Clemson, despite all things showing us that after Clemson, the ACC is ass.

T-8. A Non-QB: 15/1

Congrats to all non-QBs! My money’s on Tory Taylor.

I also just assume it’s an error Mohamed Ibrahim is not on here.

10. Michael Penix Jr (QB, Indiana Hoosiers): 19/1

Look at our Penix!

The Indiana phenom’s numbers were a mixed in 2020, with his accuracy dropping a full 12 percentage points (68.8% to 56.4%) but his TD:INT ratio improving from 10:4 to 14:4...in six games.

And therein lies the rub: Six games. Both seasons. We’re going to need to see some durability out of Penix—while of course there’s no preparing for the really shitty injury hand he’s been dealt—and fewer running opportunities in 2020 may show that he’s going to develop into a better pocket passer.

Speaking of “develop into a better pocket passer”...

11. Graham Mertz (QB, Wisconsin Badgers): 20/1

...honest to goodness if you bet on this, you deserve to lose whatever money you bet.

A QB, in a run-first offense, who can’t beat Iowa and Indiana, let alone Northwestern or Ohio State (in ascending order of challenge, folks). I don’t know if it’s the 11/17, 1 TD showing against Wake Forest or if the opener against Illinois that’s still carrying water here, but...yeah.

12. Breece Hall (RB, Iowa State Cyclones): 25/1

Sure. K. We’re filling space at this point.

13. Dillon Gabriel (QB, UCF Citronauts): 40/1

If you’re not eligible for the College Football Playoff, you’re not eligible for the Heisman.

14. Brock Purdy (QB, Iowa State): 60/1

lol

15. Jack Coan (QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish): 75/1

I have no words for how deeply troubling this is that just by dint of going to Notre Dame, a quarterback with one season of “Yeah, that was OK!” is a Heisman candidate.

16. Bo Nix (QB, Auburn Tigers): 75/1

If you watched the Citrus Bowl, you know why this is silly.

17. Sean Clifford (QB, Penn State Nittany Lions): 90/1

If Peyton Ramsey comes back, does he leapfrog Clifford on this list?

18. Kyren Williams (RB, Notre Dame): 100/1

This is presumably a player.

19. George Pickens (WR, Georgia): 125/1

This too.

20. Any Defensive Player: 150/1

Now that Iowa DT Daviyon Nixon has entered the NFL Draft...you got anyone here?