Heisman Trophy Odds: "The Inside Track"
by Carlo Campanella
We're in the middle of November and most college football teams have just two games remaining on their schedule before the bowl season begins. It's time to give serious consideration to which college football player is going win the Heisman Trophy. The past few years, the voting has been dominated by quarterbacks, with Auburn's Cam Newton (Panthers) winning last year, and QBs Sam Bradford (Rams), and Tim Tebow (Broncos), winning prior to that.
With just a few weeks remaining in the 2011-2012 college football season, now's the time to lay down a few bucks and wager on the Heisman winner. Here are the current Vegas odds in the Heisman race: (*Odds based on $100. For example, you must wager $500 to win $100 on Andrew Luck or wager $100 to win $400 on Trent Richardson.)
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford -500*
2,695 passing yards and 29 TDs. With Stanford 9-1, expect Luck to win the trophy in landslide if they run the table in their final games against Cal and Notre Dame. Prediction: Runaway Heisman winner and NFL's #1 draft pick.
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama +400
1,205 rushing yards and 18 TDs. When 9-1 Bama lost to LSU, Richardson's value dropped. Strong QB crop this year makes it tough for RB to win it. Prediction: 5th
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State +500
Moore finished 4th in the Heisman voting in 2010 and his 2,549 yards and 31 TDs are impressive, but NOT enough to win the trophy playing for under-the-radar Boise State. Prediction: Gets 4th in the voting for 2nd straight season
Case Keenum, QB, Houston +800
Has his Houston squad an unbeaten 10-0 and has put up 73 points twice this season. If Houston sweeps their final two games against SMU and Tulsa he has an outside chance. Prediction: 3rd
Brandon Weeden, QB, OK St. +1200
Okie State unbeaten at 10-0 but must face Oklahoma in final game of season. Weeden has shattered school passing records with 31 TDs and 3,635 passing yards, but it won't matter if they lose to Oklahoma. If they DO remain perfect, he could get "Lucky!"
Prediction: 2nd behind Luck with possible upset if they remain unbeaten.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma +1200
Jones has amassed 21 TDs and 2,549 passing yards, but still remains in Sam Bradford's shadow. After 8-1 Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech, their hopes of being #1 were demolished and so was Jones's chance of winning the Heisman. Prediction: 6th
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon +2000
Was considered a Heisman candidate last year but eventual winner Cam Newton beat him in the National Championship. Now he's been edged again after losing the first game of the season to LSU, as Oregon is now 9-1. Prediction: 7th
Russel Wilson, QB, Wisconsin +4000
Wilson transferred to Wisconsin from NC State and has the Badgers at 8-2 in the tough Big 10, but his 2 losses and switching schools keeps his name unknown and out of the race. Prediction: 9th out of 9 on this list.
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson +4000
Having a HUGE sophomore season with 27 TDs and 3,017 passing yards and has Clemson at a surprising 9-1. Don't expect his name to be at the top when the voting ends THIS season, but he still has two more years to win it. Prediction: 8th
Unless Stanford completely collapses in their final two games against California (6-4) and Notre Dame (7-3), Luck will win the Heisman as the heavy favorite. However, even if he doesn't win the Heisman, he WILL be the NFL's #1 draft choice this spring and next week we'll take a look at the odds on which team will end the season with the worst record and be lucky enough to get Andrew. For those gamblers out there looking for a small wager, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden offers the best betting value and has a shot to pull the Heisman upset as long as he can also upset in-state rival Oklahoma (8-1) when they meet December 3rd.
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