Heisman Trophy odds update: Bryce Young moves to the top

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)

October 6th, 2021

Following a major weekend in college football, there is a new favorite atop the Heisman Trophy futures odds.

Let’s break down how the action in Week 5 impacted the pricing and who you should keep an eye on as we head into Week 6.

After showdown, Young and Corral still the top two

While their game failed to live up to the shootout that many anticipated, both Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ole Miss gunslinger Matt Corral are still the two favorites in the Heisman Trophy race. However, Young is the favorite again.

Neither quarterback had a particularly amazing game, as both players were held to fewer than 250 yards passing. Young threw for 241 yards, two scores, and an a interception, while Corral threw for 213 and a touchdown.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young's performance against Ole Miss and Matt Corral puts him in the driver's seat for the Heisman Trophy. https://t.co/3RnQNo61gV
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 3, 2021

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder has become the new third choice in the race, as his price moved from +1600 to +1400, after he led the Bearcats to a road victory over Notre Dame. In one of the most significant games in program history, Ridder threw for 297 yards and a pair of touchdowns and rushed for another, as he helped Cincinnati jump into the top five of the AP poll.

One of the biggest statements of the weekend was made by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who reintroduced himself with a 330-yard, five-touchdown performance against Rutgers on just 17 pass completions and 23 attempts. That moved his price from +2500 to +2000.

What a half for @OhioStateFB's @CJ7STROUD!

Incomplete Passes: 2
Passing Touchdowns: 3 pic.twitter.com/qhKCiC7Vjc
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 2, 2021

His backfield mate, running back TreVeyon Henderson, also took a big jump, from +5000 to +3300, after he rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries.

The biggest rise of the week came from Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels, following his road upset win over UCLA. The Sun Devils are 4-1, and he threw for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and rushed for another 45 yards against the Bruins. Daniels' numbers do not jump off the page — he has just four passing touchdowns, three interceptions, and another pair of scores on the ground — but he has gained nearly 1,400 yards through five games, and his price went from +7500 to +2500.

#Pac12FB Offensive Player of the Week, presented by @Nextiva: Jayden Daniels. 😈

Full release ➡️ https://t.co/P1vBcwHZ6G #ForksUp | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/Mc9oDmaMMK
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 4, 2021

Oregon duo's prices dip

The most significant drops of the week came from two late defeats.

Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown and Ducks running back CJ Verdell both dipped to +6600, following their stunning overtime loss to Stanford.

Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham saw his price move from +3300 to +6600, following a defeat to a ranked Wake Forest squad on a last-minute field goal.

• Death
• Taxes
• Stanford & Oregon screwing each other's title shots
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 2, 2021

Spencer Rattler held firm at +2000, after Oklahoma took down Kansas State. The quarterback threw for 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and while he did throw an interception, he completed 22 of his 25 throws.

Sean Clifford also stayed put at +2500, after he threw for 178 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in Penn State’s 24-0 victory over Indiana. He also rushed for 58 yards, but his 17 completions on 33 attempts put a damper on his performance.

It is weird to see the best team in the nation not have a Heisman candidate near the top, but Georgia quarterback JT Daniels is still hanging around at +2000. His price moved from +1200, after he missed the game against Arkansas with an injury, and now it is in question whether he will be healthy for this weekend’s matchup with Auburn. Should he fail to start again, he will likely lose too much ground to be a viable betting option.

Quarterback JT Daniels held out of throwing drills for No. 2 Georgia, leaving the junior’s status uncertain for Saturday’s Southeastern Conference game at No. 18 Auburn. https://t.co/PtO3R7sumj
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) October 5, 2021

What to keep an eye on

As long as Alabama continues to win, Young will likely remain the favorite and might even see his price dip below even money. Barring an injury or major collapse down the stretch, the Heisman Trophy race has just two contenders.

Alabama will face unranked Texas A&M this weekend that ranks 25th in the nation in pass defense but just 71st in rush defense, so the Crimson Tide might rely more on Brian Robinson this weekend.

Ole Miss will face No. 13 Arkansas, so Corral could retake the lead with a solid performance and a win.

Rattler’s hopes could live or die at the Red River Shootout this weekend, and a win over Texas could get him back in the conversation.

Holes in Texas secondary could bring offensive explosion from Oklahoma, Spencer Rattler #HookEm | #BoomerSooner | #RedRiverRivalry https://t.co/ocFHn9P7HE
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) October 5, 2021

Stroud and Henderson have a home game against Maryland, and Ridder will return home to face Temple. All three should have strong games, so if you want to bet on any of the trio, this would be the time to pounce.

College Football

Heisman Trophy odds update: Bryce Young moves to the top

After showdown, Young and Corral still the top two

Oregon duo's prices dip

What to keep an eye on

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