Updated Heisman Trophy odds ahead of Week 2 of college football
Following a Week 1 with plenty of star performances, Caesars has updated their Heisman Trophy odds for the 2023 season. The top of the list is, unsurprisingly, a who’s who of top-level quarterbacks in the sport.
However, there are some interesting odds for a number of players expected to be among the best in the sport. And only one non-quarterback has odds better than +3000 to take home the award — and he’s one of the current favorites, now.
It’s only the start of the season and Heisman trophies are more easily lost than won at this point in the calendar, early arguments for what might become impressive cases to win the award are already in the books.
1. QB Caleb Williams, USC — +400
The reigning Heisman winner hasn’t done a thing to not be considered a favorite to win the award again. Williams spent the offseason basking as QB1 for the Trojans and returns to USC for a playoff push in 2023.
So far, so good. USC is 2-0 with a Week 0 win and Williams has been sterling. Through two games, he’s completed 36-of-49 pass attempts for 597 yards and nine touchdowns.
2. QB Jordan Travis, Florida State — +600
Travis dazzled in Florida State’s opener, an eventual bludgeoning of LSU, 45-24. And the Seminoles are surely hoping it’s just the first step on a magical run.
Against the Tigers, he accounted for five total touchdowns and 380 yards of offense. Plus, he might have a new favorite target in transfer wideout Keon Coleman.
3. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington — +900
Penix picked up 2023 right where he left of 2022: Throwing bombs down the field. Against a Boise State team thought to be fairly solid, Penix torched the Broncos defense as Washington won, 56-19.
The passing line from Penix was more of the same. He went 29-of-40 for 450 yards and five passing touchdowns in his 2023 season opener.
T4. QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan — +1600
Not even the top Heisman candidate on his team a year ago, McCarthy might ascend past Blake Corum (and Donovan Edwards) as Michigan promises to open up the passing attack this year. The Week 1 results were a promising indication.
McCarthy was surgical in a 30-3 win for the Wolverines. He completed 26-of-30 attempts for 280 yards and a trio of touchdowns, all to Roman Wilson. It’ll be a while before tougher competition tests McCarthy, but he looked the part in Week 1.
T4. CB/WR/ATH Travis Hunter, Colorado — +1600
No single player in college football had a more impressive performance from an athletic standpoint in Week 1 than Hunter. And that’s probably because no one else played a full game of offense and defense on Saturday.
That’s just what Hunter did as Colorado shocked TCU, 45-42, and he played more than 100 snaps. He finished with more than 100 receiving yards, a pass break up and an interception. And head coach Deion Sanders was already stumping for Hunter after the game.
T5. QB Bo Nix, Oregon — +1800
He’s certainly focused and likely had a lot of fun is a drubbing of Portland State to open the season, but Nix as a Heisman candidate is more than a Twitter meme this time around. His campaign has already started off the field with a number of billboards.
And his play on the field was plenty to back it up. Nix went 23-for-27 for 287 yards and three touchdowns in the opener and didn’t really play in the second half. The competition kicks up this weekend with a road trip to play Texas Tech.
T5. QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame — +1800
The level of competition ticks up for Hartman this weekend after Notre Dame won a pair of snoozers against Navy and FCS Tennessee State. The Irish will hit the road and travel to play North Carolina State.
While it’ll be a notable jump up in defensive prowess, if Hartman can play anything like he has in the first two weeks, Notre Dame could be cruising to 3-0. After two games, the transfer quarterback is 33-for-40 for 445 yards and six touchdowns. The only reason his numbers are relatively low is the success of Notre Dame’s ground game.
The next tier of candidates
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas — +2000
QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama — +2000
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina — +2200
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma — +2200
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado — +2300
QB Drew Allar, Penn State — +2500
QB Carson Beck, Georgia — +2500
QB Joe Milton, Tennessee — +2800
QB Kyle McCord, Ohio State — +3000
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU — +3000
It’s no secret that the Heisman has become something of a quarterback award, but the current odds from Caesars are stark in how few non-quarterbacks are getting a chance. Corum (+5000), Quinshon Judkins (+5000), Marvin Harrison Jr. (+6000) and Zachariah Branch (+6000) are all currently viewed as long shots, but could all have something to say before the Heisman is handed out.