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College football national title and Heisman odds update: Heisman now a three-horse race
The battle for the Heisman trophy appears to have narrowed to a three-horse race, but Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa has extended his lead and he didn't even play last week. We take a look at the risers and fallers in the college football national title and Heisman trophy odds heading into Week 7.
The battle for the Heisman trophy appears to have narrowed to a three-horse race, but Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa has extended his lead and he didn't even play last week. We take a look at the risers and fallers in the college football national title and Heisman trophy odds heading into Week 7.
TITLE ODDS
RISER: FLORIDA (200/1 TO 100/1)
There was little movement for the big boy contenders when it came to title odds this week, with Alabama (2/1), Clemson (3/1) and Ohio State (4/1) still leading the way. But it was another undefeated SEC team that got the biggest win and title odds bump after this weekend, and that would be Florida.
The Gators upset Auburn 24-13 as 2.5-point home dogs to move to 6-0 SU (3-3 ATS) for the season and improving their national title odds from 200/1 to 100/1. Obviously, that leaves them decidedly behind the frontrunners, but they’ll have the chance to prove the doubters wrong with upcoming matchup this week at LSU (the Tigers are 13.5-point home faves) and at home versus Georgia in four weeks. Florida is a longshot for a reason, but that defense has the ability to keep them in any game.
Other notable risers: Georgia 7/1 to 6/1, Penn State 200/1 to 80/1, Baylor 200/1 to 100/1
FALLER: AUBURN (40/1 TO 100/1)
Well, it only makes sense that the Tigers are the biggest faller this week. They were the favorites in Saturday’s against Florida and while the defense did its thing, Bo Nix looked like a true freshman for the first time in his first true road game against an elite defense. Nix completed just 11-of-27 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and three picks.
That said, the Tigers will still have plenty of chances to prove their early season performances were no fluke. Auburn still has matchups at LSU, at home against Georgia and the Iron Bowl will be contested at Jordan-Hare Stadium this season. So, it will be trial by fire for Nix and Auburn, but that’s how you get better, right?
Other notable fallers: Iowa 200/1 to 1000/1, Washington 200/1 to 5000/1, Michigan State 300/1 to 5000/1
HEISMAN ODDS
RISER: TUA TAGOVAILOA, JOE BURROW, JALEN HURTS
No disrespect to Justin Fields (14/1) and Jonathan Taylor (20/1), the battle for the Heisman Trophy appears to have turned into a three-horse race. And that would be between a trio of quarterbacks. Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, LSU’s Joe Burrow and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts.
All three saw their odds rise this week. Tagovailoa, the favorite, went from 2/3 to 5/8 despite not playing last week. Hurts increased from 4/1 to 7/2 after tallying another four total touchdowns in the Sooners’ 45-20 beatdown of Kansas. While Burrow rose from 9/2 to 7/2 thanks to passing for 344 yards and five touchdowns in an easy win over Utah State.
Hurts will be able to put up big numbers in the Big 12 all season long, while the SEC matchups get tougher as the season goes along. Keep an eye on the Nov. 9 matchup in Tuscaloosa between the Tigers and Tide. A lot of votes could be swayed there, but Tagovailoa is this big a favorite for a reason.
Other notable risers: Chuba Hubbard OTB to 80/1, Ian Book 300/1 to 200/1
FALLER: JUSTIN FIELDS, QB, OHIO STATE (7/1 TO 14/1)
This one is interesting. One week after approaching the top dogs in the Heisman odds last week, Fields’ odds have taken a bit of a hit, dropping to 14/1. Admittedly, Fields’ numbers we’re other worldly this past week, throwing for just 206 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. But that seems a bit harsh considering he was playing one of the best defenses in the country in Michigan State. And he still completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, and rushed for another 60 and another score, on the way to a resounding 34-10 thumping of the Spartans. He already has 26 total touchdowns for the year and while he has some tough matchups left on the schedule, he has looked up to the task. If you like Fields, the time to bet him is now.
Other notable fallers: Adrian Martinez 300/1 to 1000/1, Bo Nix 500/1 to 1000/1
