By Will Helms
It seems we have a clear favorite for the Heisman now. Every college football year, there’s a week when the favorite really starts to separate himself, but as we know, it’s not really over until the regular season ends. With seven more weeks in the season, we still have several players with realistic opportunities to win the award. However, each week, the crop of true conteders narrows.
Heisman Trophy Stock Up
CJ Stroud, QB- Ohio State (+160)
Stroud is the lead dog for Heisman thanks to a combination of consistent play on his part and a series of underwhelming performances from other top contenders. Ironically, Stroud had his worst game of the season Saturday, but it wasn’t that bad in comparison.
Stroud’s consistency continues to be his biggest strength. He’s not putting up otherworldly numbers, but he’s not making huge mistakes and most importantly, his team continues to roll.
Stroud benefits this week from Bryce Young’s injury and Stetson Bennett’s pedestrian game. He hasn’t had his “Heisman Moment” yet, but that could come soon.
Adrian Martinez- QB, Kansas State (+4000)
I always list the longest odds I can find, just in case you want to jump on a player at that price. That’s relevant here because Martinez is only at +1800 on DraftKings which I think is more indicative of his actual value here.
Martinez hasn’t been prolific through the air, but he’s been efficient and has really moved the needle on the ground. He has nearly 500 rushing yards and has shredded Texas Tech and Oklahoma for 350 passing yards and over 325 rushing yards to go with nine touchdowns.
He currently has the fifth-shortest odds on DraftKings which puts him squarely in the conversation to be invited to New York, a race I’m often as interested in as I am the winner.
Stock Down
Bryce Young, QB- Alabama (+800)
Young took a tumble this week that was just as much injury-related as it was due to performance. Young started well against Arkansas before throwing his shoulder out in what is being described as an AC Joint sprain that “has happened a few times before”.
That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence for me. Young hasn’t looked nearly as prolific this season without the receiving talent he had last year. Even if he plays this week, Alabama is moving towards a more run-first approach, which should limit Young’s potential for big performances.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB- Georgia (+2500)
Bennett has now gone back-to-back weeks without a touchdown after Georgia barely escaped Missouri Saturday night. Bennett completed less than 68 percent of his passes for the first time all year, finishing with just a 55.8 percent completion percentage.
Bennett has slowed after a torrid start to the season, struggling against mid-level defenses in back-to-back weeks and his momentum really seems to be cooling in recent weeks. There’s still time for him to turn it around, but he’s going to have to shake off back-to-back poor games.
Worth Monitoring
Jalon Daniels, QB- Kansas (+3000)
Daniels continues to impress this season after coming out of nowhere. As long as Kansas continues to win, Daniels will be in the conversation. Daniels isn’t likely to win the Heisman, but it’d be an extraordinary accomplishment just to make it to New York.
Caleb Williams, QB- USC (+600)
Williams continues to hang around as one of the favorites. He hasn’t been spectacular this year, but he’s been well above average and if USC continues to win, he’s going to continue to be in the conversation. I’m not ready to declare him one of the exclusive favorites, but he’s definitely in the running.
