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Pamela Maldonado, Sports activities Betting Analyst
Because the 2024 faculty soccer season enters its ultimate stretch, the Heisman Trophy race seems to be solidifying round 4 standout contenders.
Colorado’s two-way phenom Travis Hunter has returned because the front-runner, dazzling followers and voters alike together with his abilities on each offense and protection. Oregon’s quarterback Dillon Gabriel stays in scorching pursuit, conserving the Geese’ nationwide championship hopes alive. Miami’s Cam Ward, regardless of a latest setback, continues to impress together with his prolific passing, whereas Boise State’s operating again Ashton Jeanty has remained in competition together with his record-chasing dashing performances.
Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke has made a stunning late-season surge, catapulting himself into the dialog, no less than because it pertains to betting. As Week 12 looms, these 5 gamers have distinguished themselves from the pack, every bringing a novel narrative to the Heisman race and setting the stage for an electrifying conclusion to the season.
All odds are correct as of timestamp. For the newest odds go to ESPN BET.zYo" width="10"/>
Heisman race: Hunter surges to the highest
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado Buffaloes +125
Final week: +225
Hunter is again because the +125 favourite. In Colorado’s 41-27 highway win towards Texas Tech, he showcased his distinctive two-way skills. On offense, Hunter caught 9 passes for 99 yards and a landing. Defensively, he performed 53 snaps and was solely focused as soon as, demonstrating his lockdown protection abilities. Whereas Hunter did not file an official interception, he did make a spectacular interception that was sadly nullified.
Why Hunter is the favourite: Hunter’s Heisman candidacy is propelled by his unprecedented two-way brilliance in trendy faculty soccer. As each an elite extensive receiver and cornerback, Hunter has amassed spectacular statistics on each side of the ball: 69 receptions for 856 yards and 9 touchdowns offensively, complemented by two interceptions, one compelled fumble, seven passes defended, and 20 tackles defensively. This dual-threat functionality units him aside in a discipline sometimes dominated by quarterbacks.
Hunter’s affect extends past particular person statistics, taking part in an important function in Colorado’s resurgence. With a 7-2 file and a shot on the Huge 12 championship sport, the Buffaloes’ success is inextricably linked to Hunter’s versatile contributions. His distinctive ability set aligns completely with the Heisman’s mission to acknowledge faculty soccer’s most excellent participant.
Including weight to Hunter’s marketing campaign is the endorsement of his head coach, Deion Sanders, a former two-way participant himself, who has dubbed Hunter “the most effective participant in faculty soccer.” In a season when quarterback performances have been much less dominant, voters could also be extra inclined to contemplate nontraditional candidates like Hunter.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon Geese +275
Final week: +275
Gabriel has solidified his place because the second favourite coming into Week 12. He had a historic outing in Oregon’s 39-18 victory over Maryland, breaking the FBS all-time file for whole touchdowns beforehand held by Case Keenum with 179. Though his Week 11 stats weren’t that spectacular, 23-of-34 for 184 yards and three touchdowns, his record-breaking landing got here on a 3-yard cross to offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson within the third quarter.
Why Gabriel may win: Gabriel’s Heisman case is constructed on a basis of record-breaking performances and constant excellence. His new FBS file for profession touchdowns underscores his productiveness all through his six years of school expertise. On the helm of Oregon’s undefeated 10-0 marketing campaign, Gabriel has stored the Geese in prime place for each a School Soccer Playoff berth and a possible Huge Ten championship.
Gabriel leads the FBS with a 74% completion charge whereas topping the Huge Ten in passing yards (2,848) and touchdowns (22). His versatility is complemented by six dashing scores this season, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. His go-ahead landing run towards Ohio State offered the quintessential “Heisman second” that always sways voters.
Gabriel’s efficiency in Oregon’s victory over Boise State provides him a direct edge over fellow Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty. This head-to-head benefit, mixed together with his statistical output and crew success, solidifies Gabriel’s place as a high Heisman candidate in a extremely aggressive race.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos +400
Final week: +600
Jeanty enters Week 12 because the third favourite to win the Heisman. Jeanty had one other spectacular outing in Week 11, dashing for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per try.
Why Jeanty may win: Jeanty’s Heisman case is constructed on his constant high-volume manufacturing. Main the FBS with 1,734 dashing yards, Jeanty has outpaced his nearest competitor by 400 yards. His 23 dashing touchdowns places him on observe to probably attain 32 by season’s finish, a feat achieved by solely 5 gamers in faculty soccer historical past.
His consistency is highlighted by a number of 200-plus yard dashing performances, together with standout video games of 259, 267, and 217 yards. He has excelled towards top-tier competitors, notably dashing for 192 yards and three touchdowns towards No. 1 Oregon earlier within the season.
His affect is simple, performing as a key cog in Boise State’s 8-1 file (5-0 in convention) and their competition for the Mountain West title. Whereas comparisons to Barry Sanders’ legendary 1988 season have been drawn, Jeanty’s efficiency stands impressively by itself deserves.
If he can preserve his present tempo and ship standout performances in Boise State’s remaining video games, Jeanty may make a compelling case to develop into the primary non-Energy 5 participant to win the Heisman since BYU’s Ty Detmer in 1990.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami Hurricanes +850
Final week: +185
Ward dropped to the fourth spot after main the percentages final week. In Miami’s 28-23 upset loss to Georgia Tech, Ward threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns together with three sacks. He led a late comeback try, bringing Miami inside 5 factors within the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, the sport ended with a strip-sack on Ward throughout Miami’s ultimate drive.
Why Ward may win: Regardless of a setback in Week 11, Ward’s Heisman candidacy stays viable on account of his spectacular season-long output: 3,494 passing yards (1st FBS), 32 touchdowns (1st FBS) and solely six interceptions.
Previous to the latest loss, Ward had guided Miami to an undefeated file and a No. 4 rating, conserving them within the School Soccer Playoff dialog. With a comparatively manageable schedule forward, going through Wake Forest and Syracuse, Ward has the chance to bolster his case with robust performances in these ultimate regular-season video games.
An ACC championship would considerably improve Ward’s Heisman prospects, as nicely. With the expanded 12-team playoff format, Miami’s CFP possibilities stay alive, probably conserving Ward within the nationwide highlight.
Though his path to the Heisman has undoubtedly develop into tougher, his general physique of labor and the potential for a powerful end maintain him in competition.
Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana Hoosiers +1500
Final week: +3000
Rourke’s odds maintain dropping every week, pushing him nearer into the Heisman dialog from a betting perspective. In Indiana’s 20-15 victory over Michigan, Rourke threw for 2 touchdowns within the first half, serving to Indiana construct a lead. He completed the sport finishing 17-of-28 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
Why Rourke has an opportunity to enter the Heisman dialog: Rourke’s Heisman prospects have surged partly on account of Indiana’s unprecedented success. With 2,410 passing yards (twenty second) and 21 touchdowns (twelfth), Rourke’s effectivity is especially noteworthy — his 10.1 yards per try ranks second nationally. This manufacturing has been instrumental in guiding Indiana to a historic 10-0 file, the most effective in program historical past.
Rourke’s odds skyrocketing from +10000 two weeks in the past to +1500 now, highlights his momentum within the Heisman race. His narrative because the chief of a traditionally underperforming program now experiencing a breakout season is especially compelling to voters.
A victory over Ohio State and a possible Huge Ten Championship look may solidify Rourke as a critical contender. His fast rise within the odds displays rising sentiment that he might be this yr’s lengthy shot candidate.
Betting consideration
Again Indiana ATS towards Ohio State
Holding a Hunter and/or Jeanty ticket from early within the season, mixed with Gabriel from final week should you entered Week 11 with no pores and skin within the sport, including Rourke can be the intriguing possibility. Nevertheless, at this stage of the season, the Heisman Trophy race seems to have solidified round 4 high contenders: Hunter, Gabriel, Ward, and Jeanty.
Whereas Rourke’s efficiency has been inspiring, the true storyline is Indiana’s sudden success as a crew, reasonably than Rourke’s particular person achievements. Rourke is undoubtedly main the offense successfully, however the Hoosiers’ protection has been an enormous contributing issue to their success (fourth in yards allowed and eight in factors allowed), making this a real crew effort.
For these seeking to capitalize on Indiana’s stunning season, a extra promising wager may be backing the Hoosiers as underdogs towards Ohio State in Week 13, each towards the unfold and on the cash line.
Present projected Week 13 line per ESPN Analysis: Indiana +9 (+275) at Ohio State.
This strategy acknowledges the crew’s general efficiency and potential for an upset, reasonably than focusing solely on Rourke’s Heisman possibilities. Indiana’s success is a testomony to their collective effort and training, making them an intriguing underdog choose of their upcoming high-profile matchup.