With just five weeks left in the season, the race for the Heisman Trophy is heating up, and oddsmakers have made their favorites clear.
Leading the pack is Oregon’s quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, who has surged to the top with odds of +240 at BetMGM. Hot on his heels is Colorado’s versatile star, Travis Hunter, whose odds stand at +250. In a historic achievement, Hunter recently became the first player to clinch both the Big 12 offensive and defensive player of the week honors in the same week, following an electrifying performance in the Buffaloes’ victory over Cincinnati.
Not far behind, Miami quarterback Cam Ward holds the third spot with odds of +300, while Boise State’s running back, Ashton Jeanty, rounds out the top four with odds of +450. Jeanty was once the midseason Heisman frontrunner, thanks to his jaw-dropping stats, but has since seen his odds lengthen as power conference players dominate the spotlight.
After Jeanty, there’s a noticeable drop-off; the next closest contenders are sitting at +2500. It’s looking increasingly likely that this year’s Heisman winner will emerge from this elite group. With many top teams taking a breather in Week 10, now is the perfect moment to spotlight five quarterbacks who could potentially make a late push in the Heisman race. Keep an eye on these players this Saturday, as several teams enjoy their second off week of the season!
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (+2500)
We’re feeling optimistic about Klubnik’s chances of snagging an invite to New York City if he keeps steering Clemson’s offense like he has been! The Tigers currently rank as the No. 4 scoring team in college football, averaging an impressive 42 points per game. When you look at their matchups outside of Georgia, that average skyrockets to 48.5 points. Klubnik has been on fire this season, completing two-thirds of his passes with a remarkable 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Plus, he’s added four rushing touchdowns to his impressive stats. Notably, he’s averaging over two yards more per passing attempt in 2024 compared to last season.
If he continues this momentum, especially with upcoming games against Louisville, Virginia Tech, and Pitt, his odds could plummet significantly in a positive way. Exciting times ahead for Klubnik and Clemson fans!
Georgia QB Carson Beck (+3500)
Beck’s odds seem to be low right now, likely due to his current name recognition. His stats have dipped across the board compared to his performance in 2023, and he has already thrown two more interceptions than he did all of last season. But don’t count him out just yet.
A standout performance against Florida could really elevate his chances, especially since it falls on a relatively quiet college football weekend. Following that, Georgia has crucial matchups against No. 19 Ole Miss and No. 7 Tennessee. If Beck shines as the top player on the field in those games, you can bet his odds will take a significant turn for the better. Exciting opportunities lie ahead for him!
Penn State QB Drew Allar (+6600)
If Allar can’t take the field this Saturday against No. 4 Ohio State, his Heisman hopes will be effectively dashed. He’s currently a game-time decision after suffering a knee injury during Penn State’s victory over Wisconsin in Week 9. If he’s unable to play, Beau Pribula will step in as the starter; he showed promise by going 11-of-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown against the Badgers.
This season, Allar has significantly improved compared to last year, and putting on a stellar performance against Ohio State would send a powerful message. In their previous matchup, Allar struggled, completing just 18-of-42 passes for 191 yards and getting sacked four times in a tough 20-12 loss. A standout game this time around could be crucial not only for his Heisman candidacy but also for his team’s playoff aspirations. The stakes have never been higher!
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke (+10000)
Rourke may make his comeback this Saturday against Michigan State after sitting out Indiana’s victory over Washington. He suffered a painful injury when he lost the thumbnail on his right throwing hand during the team’s dominant win over Nebraska—yikes!
Despite this setback, Rourke has been impressive in 2024, completing over 74% of his passes and averaging nearly 11 yards per attempt. He’s been a key player in leading Indiana to an 8-0 start this season. If the Hoosiers can pull off victories against both Michigan and Ohio State in November, Rourke’s Heisman stock could rise significantly. Exciting times are ahead as he looks to make his mark on the field.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava (+15000)
Once an early season favorite, Iamaleava now finds himself as an underdog in the race for the Heisman trophy, primarily due to Tennessee’s offensive struggles against SEC rivals. Since UT’s Week 2 victory over NC State, Iamaleava hasn’t thrown for more than 200 yards in a game, and he hasn’t completed more than 63% of his passes in any game since then.
However, like Beck, he could still cinch some Heisman votes if Tennessee’s offense regains its vigor and the Vols make a dash to the SEC title game. In the pipeline are SEC opponents excluding the Bulldogs: Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt—three games that are very much within Tennessee’s grasp. There’s still a chance for Iamaleava to reclaim his early season glory!
