Heisman Trophy odds updated ahead of Week 6 of college football
Through the first five weeks of the college football season, the Heisman Trophy race looked close. Michael Penix Jr. jumped Caleb Williams as the favorite entering last week, which made the battle interesting as conference play got underway.
Now, there’s some separation — and Williams is back atop the list of favorites, according to BetMGM.
The Heisman race isn’t close to over considering the amount of football left to play over the next two months. There will be opportunities for others to make their case for a trip to New York, but as October gets underway, a gap is growing between the two favorites and the rest of the field.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC — +175
Williams is making a strong case to join Archie Griffin as the only repeat Heisman winners. His odds took a massive shift after he total 403 passing yards and six touchdowns USC’s victory over Colorado last week against fellow Heisman hopeful Shedeur Sanders.
Williams’ Heisman Trophy odds dipped a bit heading into the Colorado matchup, but he has cemented himself as the favorite after last week. After Saturday’s game against Arizona, though, Williams will face one of his biggest tests yet when he takes on Notre Dame in a game that will certainly play a role in his chances of winning the award again.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington — +450
In a battle of two of the Pac-12’s top quarterbacks, Penix shined once again to help Washington past Jayden de Laura and Arizona. He threw for 363 yards on 30 of 40 passing, but failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this year in the Huskies’ 31-24 victory.
Penix entered the week as the Heisman favorite, but his odds slipped a bit in light of his performance — coupled with Williams’ big day. Washington is off this week for the bye, but will step up to the big stage on Oct. 14 against Bo Nix and Oregon.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas — +700
Quinn Ewers remains in the thick of the Heisman race thanks to some big performances for Texas. He had another one last week against Kansas, throwing for 325 yards and a touchdown in the 40-14 victory.
Ewers’ Heisman Trophy odds have remained strong since the Longhorns’ victory over Alabama, and he’ll be able to improve his stock on another big stage this week. The Red River Showdown awaits as Texas takes on Oklahoma on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon — +800
Early in the year, the case could be made that Bo Nix was a dark horse for the Heisman. Now, he finds himself with the fourth-best odds to win the award after another impressive game for Oregon against Stanford.
Nix threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns on an efficient 27 of 32 passing to help the Ducks to a 5-0 record. Oregon is on a bye week in Week 6, but the season will pick back up against Penix and Washington on Oct. 14 in a game that could determine which player goes to the Heisman ceremony.
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State — +1300
Jordan Travis is the focal point of the Florida State offense this year, but his odds shifted in the wrong direction while the Seminoles were on a bye week. With ACC play upon us, he can turn that around quickly.
Even with a week off, Travis ranks fifth in the ACC with 257 passing yards per game and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be back on the field this week against Virginia Tech.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame — +1600
If not for a loss to Ohio State, Sam Hartman could find himself higher on the Heisman board after his performance against Duke. He helped engineer a 96-yard, game-winning drive for Notre Dame that saw him scramble to convert a 4th and 16 in the final minute.
Hartman has been in the Heisman Trophy conversation all year, but his odds fell a bit in light of the Ohio State game. He’ll once again put his skills to the test on prime time this week when Notre Dame travels to Louisville Saturday night.
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU — +1800
Jayden Daniels has been a consistent part of the LSU offense this year, and if Saturday’s game turned out differently, he might be higher on the board. The Tigers fell to Ole Miss in a 55-49 shootout, but Daniels impressed.
Daniels completed 27 of 36 passes for 414 yards and four touchdowns while adding 99 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. His NFL Draft stock is rising, and a big game this week against Missouri will surely help.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma — +2000
After an up-and-down first season at Oklahoma, Dillon Gabriel has taken quite a leap in Year 2. He put on a clinic against Iowa State last week, throwing for 366 yards and three touchdowns as the Sooners blew out the Cyclones 50-20.
Gabriel enters Week 6 leading the Big 12 with 318.6 passing yards per game and 15 passing touchdowns. He’ll face his biggest test yet, though, in the Red River Showdown against Texas on Saturday.
JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan — +2000
He only played two-plus quarters, but J.J. McCarthy continues to shine in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. He totaled 166 passing yards and two touchdowns on 12 of 16 passing to lead Michigan to a 45-7 trouncing of Nebraska in Lincoln.
McCarthy’s 79.0% completion percentage ranks third in the FBS this season as he remains one of the nation’s most efficient passers. The schedule remains favorable, with Minnesota awaiting this week as McCarthy tries to improve his Heisman Trophy odds even more.
Other Heisman Trophy contenders ahead of Week 6
Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami — +3300
Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State — +3500
Cameron Ward, QB, Washington State — +3500
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State — +4000
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina — +4000
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado — +5000
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia — +6000
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan — +6000
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia — +6600
Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas — +6600
Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame — +6600
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State — +6600
There’s still two months and some meaningful games left in the college football season, which means the Heisman Trophy picture isn’t entirely in focus. The next few weeks will tell voters a lot with some of the favorites going up against each other with a trip to New York hanging in the balance.