Bovada’s Updated Heisman Odds: Analysis of Favorites and PAC-12 Players [Sports Betting] [33 Days To Kickoff]

As much as I hate to say it, Matt Barkley has the best shot at winning the Heisman. Hopefully Oregon has five picks against him in their regular season showdown.

Bovada has added some players to their list of Heisman contenders.  They now have everyone from Matt Barkley to AJ McCarron to Marquess Wilson to Robbie Rouse.  The list has been upgraded from the 25 that was posted in January.  Let’s take a look at some.

Matt Barkley is 3/1 and the most likely to win the Heisman, hence having the favorite odds.  He is the quarterback of a team competing for a national title and had great numbers last year.  USC could run the table and compete for a national title, just in time for the Heisman ballots to get turned in and Matt Barkley be the winner.  He plays the most prestigious position in college football on one of the most prestigious teams and with the receivers he has he can put up video game numbers.  The award could be given to him just as easily as a career achievement and for putting up with the postseason bans.

Matt Barkley doesn’t have the same problem Montee Ball has of having to put up ridiculous numbers for a second straight season.  Last year Ball broke Barry Sander’s touchdown record for a single season.  He has 6/1 odds.  Wisconsin probably won’t win a title but could win a Big-10 championship.  Again, I don’t think he can put up the same numbers to create the awe necessary to get first place votes.

Denard Robinson at 7/1 is a testament to how entertaining he is.  He is the most exciting player in college football, certainly at quarterback, but his interceptions will probably do him in.  Throughout his career he has had memorable moments such as beating Notre Dame every year in thrilling fashion.  Robinson has been the heart of the Wolverines for three years.  In a spread offense he would have a realistic shot at showcase the abilities that could make him a Heisman.  He is going to have plays but is probably going to make just enough big mistakes and not have enough wins to get first place votes.

Geno Smith and Landry Jones both fall in to the video game number category.  They are prolific passers.  Both quarterbacks will probably suffer from being in the same conference with the conference winner being a finalist.  Geno Smith’s West Virginia squad has a tough schedule this upcoming season and Oklahoma always seems to falter to a couple teams that they shouldn’t.

De’Anthony Thomas at 20/1 is a pipe dream.  There is no way he’ll even be a finalist.  I’ll just consider all the attention he’s getting as the advertising for next year’s actual Heisman run.  Kenjon Barner will be getting most of the carries in the offense next year.  While De’Anthony Thomas is incredibly skilled and makes huge plays, he simply isn’t going to be the go to guy on offense.  To win the Heisman you have to be “the guy” and “the guy” this year will be Kenjon Barner or the quarterback.  Next year, Thomas has a realistic shot at winning the Heisman behind a national title contender and he will be the featured guy on offense.

Keith Price from Washington has 45/1 odds and that won’t occur simply because Washington is going to be lucky to get the over on their 7.5 over/under win total.  Marqise Lee from USC has 70/1 odds but receivers are rarely even finalists and Matt Barkley is going to be getting all the attention.  Keenan Allen at 95/1 won’t put up crazy numbers and probably won’t finish in the top third of the north division.  Marqise Wilson at 70/1 and Jeff Tuel at 175/1 could put up good enough numbers but the win total, lack of national exposure, and being “system” players could weigh them down.

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