The NCAAF Heisman Trophy odds have changed quite a bit since the beginning of the season, but now we see several long shots who most never considered but are now serious contenders to take home the hardware.
The current odds, courtesy of BetMGM, feature a quarterback from a former SEC laughingstock and a gunslinger from a school known more for its basketball program than its football team.
Let’s review the Heisman odds one final time before college football’s most coveted personal award is announced on December 13th.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (+165)
Before this season, when people talked about the Hoosiers, most of us had visions of Bobby Knight screaming on the sidelines or the legendary hoops movie, Hoosiers, starring Gene Hackman as the head coach of a small-town Indiana high school that treats basketball as religion.
Therefore, when Indiana’s football program went undefeated in the regular season, setting up a conference championship game against Ohio State, its fanbase became frenzied, and much of that success is attributed to the gridiron heroics of junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
All Mendoza has done this year is complete 72% of his passes, throw for over 2,750 yards, and toss 32 TDs to just five interceptions en route to a 12-0 regular season record.
Everyone loves an underdog, and Mendoza was a +5500 in the preseason to win the Heisman this year. He reflects the same kind of resiliency as the Hoosiers themselves, and that could sway the voters. At Heisman Trophy odds of +165, he’s got a better shot than most.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (+165)
Ohio State’s quarterback Julian Sayin is the only low-odds candidate remaining who was also among the preseason favorites. And why wouldn’t he be? Ohio State is not only the defending national champion, but Sayin was also walking into the starting role as a sophomore after backing up Will Howard as a freshman last year.
Needless to say, it was no surprise that Sayin was being discussed as a preseason Heisman candidate at odds of +200 and is now the co-favorite at +165 along with fellow Big Ten passer, Fernando Mendoza.
The sophomore has posted superb stats, throwing for 3,065 yards, 35 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a positively surgical 78.9% completion rate. Sayin has put on a masterclass several times this season, including his sublime performance against Penn State when he completed 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns.
There’s a good reason why Saying is the co-favorite to win the Heisman, and at +165, he might be the best bet on the board.
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia (+200)
If there is a nostalgic choice, it has to be Diego Pavia, the kid who transferred from New Mexico State to help turn this Vanderbilt program around from an SEC laughingstock to a serious conference threat. Pavia took the program from the basement to a solid 6-6 season last year.
But this year, he has contributed mightily to the Commanders morphing from an average team to one of the best in the nation with a 10-2 regular season mark. Pavia has tossed for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdown strikes, eight picks, and a 71.2% completion percentage.
What makes Pavia’s story even more compelling is that no major program wanted him because at 5’11”, he was not the typical robo-back normally found in the 6’4” range. However, his gritty determination has won over his teammates, coaches, fans, and even his critics.
As intriguing as Pavia’s story is, I don’t see his name being called on December 13th, but that doesn’t mean he is not a worthy candidate.
What We’ve Covered and Next Steps
If you are interested in checking out the NCAA Heisman Trophy odds and making a wager, make sure to take advantage of the many tools available at OddsTrader. Review the teams’ upcoming schedule and the stats that the candidates have generated this season.
This year, we have three primary candidates just one week before the Heisman Trophy Award is announced, and although it would be interesting to see a long shot cop the honor, it is clear that the Buckeye’s quarterback, Julian Sayin, has the best shot at rewarding his Heisman backers.
But there are dozens of players on the list, so make sure to review these candidates and all the other awards at OddsTrader’s college futures. Remember, to get the sharpest odds, you have to open accounts at several of the best online sportsbooks, so don’t delay and take advantage of your opportunity today!
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
