Now is the ideal moment to examine the Heisman front-runners and long shots as college football draws near.
We will examine the preseason Heisman favorites, their odds, and the reasons they could or might not win the trophy this season below. It’s crucial to remember that these chances will change during the season.
QB Drew Allar, Penn State (+5000 BetRivers)
It’s true that Allar lost some of his best players, such as his favorite tight end Theo Johnson and his best receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but he excelled at limiting errors and defending the ball. In the passing game, Allar may excel under a new offensive coordinator.
Although Kaytronn Allen and Nicholas Singleton, Penn State’s running back tandem, will continue to be crucial, their domination may allow Allar to sling the ball down the field. By stopping opposing offenses early and frequently, the defense, which is predicted to rank among the top five this season, should also assist Allar take advantage of his opportunities.
The BetRivers SportsbookAllar’s line is now set at +5000. Under the leadership of defensive-minded head coach James Franklin and the return of numerous high-impact players, Penn State should maintain its dominance on that side of the ball.
But what if Allar and Andy Kotelnicki, the new offensive coordinator, click and take the Nittany Lions offense to new heights? Penn State might become a serious national contender as a result, providing Allar with a possible Heisman route.
QB Cam Ward, Miami (+2000 BetMGM)
Cam Ward, a quarterback, chose to transfer to The U for his senior year after two outstanding seasons at Washington State.
Will he be able to reproduce for the Hurricanes his output and accuracy from the previous season? Miami is a far superior offensive team (at every position) than Washington State, and the Pac-12 was a far more difficult conference than the ACC last season.
Ward will feel less pressured thanks to Damien Martinez, who should also provide space for him and the returning receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. Additionally, Ward need to spend more time behind what is regarded as one of the nation’s top offensive lines.
+2000 onBetMGM Sportsbook would not be as unlikely as some believe if Ward can lead this preseason 19th-ranked team to a CFP berth while leading one of the greatest attacks in the country.
QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (+1400 FanDuel)
With Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss Rebels ranked No. 6 in the preseason A.P. Poll, this will be one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. More than 50 years have passed since Ole Miss was last ranked sixth or higher in the preseason, in 1970.
Over the course of two seasons, Dart and head coach Lane Kiffin have developed one of college football’s most potent offenses. Even though Quinshon Judkins’ departure is painful, Dart should still have a lot of offensive weapons, such as returners Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins and transfer Antwane Wells Jr.
This season, Dart ought to have the final go-ahead for the Rebels. Given Judkins’ transfer, career stats in throwing attempts, completions, completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns could be anticipated.
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas (+1000 Caesars)
After losing by a slim margin to the Washington Huskies in the CFP, Ewers decided to withdraw from the 2024 NFL Draft and try again for a national championship. Ewers began the season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman, which is not unexpected.
Ewers needs outstanding play from the wide receiver room, which lost three key players in Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, and Xavier Worthy, in order to win the Heisman.
By bringing in Silas Bolden, Amari Niblack, Matthew Golden, and Isaiah Bond through the transfer portal to join 2024 five-star recruit Ryan Wingo and returner Johntay Cook II, Steve Sarkisian was fortunately able to make up for some of the lost quality.
Ewers was the early favorite to win the Heisman, but Caesars and other major PA sportsbooks now have odds that are between +800 and +1000. Whichever quarterback performs better in the October 19th game between Georgia and Texas could win the Heisman Trophy. Ewers’ path to a Heisman is difficult since the Bulldogs are on a revenge tour after losing out on the CFP the previous season.
QB Carson Beck, Georgia (+900 BetRivers)
After a breakout season in which he passed just under 4,000 yards for a team that was essentially one play away from another College Football Playoffs participation and the opportunity to win a third consecutive National Championship, Carson Beck is returning to Athens for his senior year.
Despite being a two-time National Champion, Beck did not start as quarterback in either of those seasons. But this season will be his finest chance to make an impact on college football and the program’s history.
Despite losing Rara Thomas to expulsion from the team and Brock Bowers to the 2024 NFL Draft, Beck has all he needs to produce a Heisman-caliber season. With four starters back to guard him, Beck will have one of the greatest offensive lines in the country, just like Ward.
In order to assist him gain yards, touchdowns, and victories for the top-ranked Bulldogs, Beck also has a number of weapons, including Benjamin Yurosek, London Humphreys, Colbie Young, Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp, and Dominic Lovett.
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (+700 FanDuel)
Gabriel will immediately inherit the offense that gave Bo Nix the second-most passing yards and by far the highest completion percentage in the country, so the move to Oregon makes sense.
Gabriel will have one of the top receiving tandems in college football thanks to returner Tez Johnson and former Texas A&M receiver Evan Stewart.
If the Heisman vote from the previous season taught us anything, it is that voters and PA bookmakers continue to place a higher emphasis on individual stats than on other considerations. The Heisman Trophy may be coming back to Eugene if Gabriel can produce numbers comparable to those of Nix on a team that is vying for a national championship.