Walker still leads the pack in latest Heisman Trophy odds

Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9). (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

November 11th, 2021

As we enter Week 11 of the college football season, the Heisman Trophy odds saw no change in the top five spots for the first time all season.

Let’s break down how the favorites did, and see who still has value ahead of the final weeks of the regular season!

Walker leads the pack

Despite the Spartans seeing their unbeaten season come to an end on Saturday, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III improved his odds of winning the Heisman, as he moved from +150 to +125.

The nation’s leading rusher ran for 136 yards and a touchdown in a 40-29 defeat to Purdue, but Michigan State remains in the top 10 of the AP poll and is still in the conversation for a playoff spot.

From second-string RB and virtual unknown to transfer portal treasure and Heisman candidate.

If you didn't know who Kenneth Walker III was before, you do now. pic.twitter.com/ET81CFQkla
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 6, 2021

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young saw his price take a hit this week, but he remains second in the odds after a 20-14 win over LSU.

Young threw for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a game in which the Crimson Tide were unable to run the football. Young moved his touchdown tally to 30 on the season and has thrown just three interceptions, but his price slid from +175 to +250 this week.

C.J. Stroud held strong in third place, moving down slightly from +450 to +500 following Ohio State’s 26-17 win over Nebraska. Stroud threw a pair of interceptions, after he went four straight games without turning it over, but he also posted 405 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns in the road win.

CJ Stroud finds Chris Olave for SIX and the first @OhioStateFB touchdown of the day ‼️🚀

(via @CFBONFOX)

pic.twitter.com/9JSOcwT8Zw
— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 6, 2021

Matt Corral's price held steady at +650 this week, as the Ole Miss quarterback had a solid performance against Liberty in a 27-14 win.

He threw for 324 yards, his first effort of 300 or more passing yards since mid-September, but ran for just nine yards and tossed one touchdown. He now has thrown just two touchdown passes in his last three games combined.

Rounding out the top five is Caleb Williams. The Oklahoma quarterback continues his surprise push up the list. Moving from +1000 to +900 this week, Williams and the Sooners had a bye week following their big win over Texas Tech.

Caleb Williams’ (@CALEBcsw) stats compared with 2 Heisman contenders

CW: 71.6 Completion %; 14 passing TDs/1 INT; Rating 203.75; 4 rushing TDs

Bryce Young (Bama): 69.4%; 28 TDs/3 INTs; Rating 173.97; 2 rushing TDs

CJ Stroud (OSU): 67%; 25 TDs/5 INTs; Rating 175.9; 0 rushing TD pic.twitter.com/4cjbYJpb11
— Sooner Script (@SoonerScript) November 7, 2021

Numerous longshots fall behind

As we near the end of the season, many of the players who were on the fringe of the Heisman discussion are starting to fade into the distance.

Desmond Ridder, who spent the first half strongly inside the top five on the oddsboard, has now dropped from +3300 to +4000, after yet another uninspiring performance from the Cincinnati quarterback.

The Bearcats remain undefeated, but they had to hang on for the second time in three weeks against inferior opposition, with Ridder throwing for 274 yards and two touchdowns with one pick. He did run for another score, but he has just nine total touchdowns in his last four games.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson slid from +2000 to +3300, after he ran for just 92 yards on 21 carries against Nebraska and failed to score.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest’s 58-55 defeat to North Carolina caused a drop in price for quarterback Sam Hartman. He threw for 398 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed for two more, but he also recorded a pair of interceptions and completed fewer than half of his throws.

TOUCHDOWN NORTH CAROLINA

Sam Hartman to Jaquarii Roberson for the 15 yard TD! #WakeForest #NorthCarolina

https://t.co/MIxBeUYdBU
— CFB Country (@_CFBCountry) November 6, 2021

Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. tumbled from +4000 to +6600 this week. His 13-carry, 18-yard performance against LSU all but ended his slim hopes.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett held steady at +4000 following a 54-29 win over Duke, in which he threw for 416 yards and scored a total of four touchdowns.

What to keep an eye on

Williams will have a chance to vault himself into the top three of the Heisman race when Oklahoma squares off with Baylor. The top 15 matchup in Waco will be the toughest test yet for the freshman.

Stroud will hope to make another statement with the Buckeyes, who host a ranked Purdue team that knocked off Michigan State last weekend.

A dominant performance from either one could see their prices move up significantly.

Interesting note: Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams has yet to start against a team that ranks higher than No. 80 in SP+ defense. Baylor is 19th.

Between 2019-20, Aranda defenses held OU's offense to 295.5 YPG and 4.9 yards per play. In all other games, OU averaged 532 YPG /7.7 YPP.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) November 10, 2021

Meanwhile, Alabama should have a cakewalk with New Mexico State, which could hurt Young’s chances to close back in on Walker. If the game gets out of hand before he gets his numbers, he could easily slip further behind.

Finally, Walker and Michigan State will face a Maryland team that is allowing 153.4 yards per game on the ground and has given up at least 31 points in each of their last five contests.

I see no reason why Walker will not be the favorite again next week and would be surprised if he doesn’t move to even money.

College Football

Walker still leads the pack in latest Heisman Trophy odds

Walker leads the pack

Numerous longshots fall behind

What to keep an eye on

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