2017 Heisman odds feature several returning contenders

Alex Novick

2017 Heisman odds feature several returning contenders image

The online betting source Bovada Sportsbook has released its odds to win the 2017 Heisman Trophy, which features the 2016 winner ranked behind a couple of guys who've finished among the voting leaders in years passed. 

Here's what Bovada has to offer:

2017 Heisman Odds

MORE: Everything you need to know about National Signing Day for college football

Baker Mayfield has a slight edge over J.T. Barrett, as the Sooners QB comes off two monster seasons in which he averaged over 44 total touchdowns, less than eight interceptions and 295 pass yards per game. The senior finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2015 and third in 2016.

Barrett enters his fourth season as the Buckeyes starting QB, already a two-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and owning a school-record 100 total touchdowns. He finished fifth in the 2014 Heisman voting but hasn't cracked the top 10 since. 

Last year's winner Lamar Jackson returns for his junior season after an incredible sophomore campaign which saw him account for 51 total touchdowns, 3,500 receiving yards and 1,571 rushing yards. The Louisville QB aims to become just the second player in history to win the award twice, which would join him with Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975. 

One fanbase who should be excited about this list is Penn State, the only school with two players in the top 10. Juniors Trace McSorely and Saquon Barkley make for a formidable quarterback-running back duo who sparked an unlikely run to the Rose Bowl in 2016. 

Below is the full list, per Bovada.

PLAYER SCHOOL ODDS
Baker Mayfield Oklahoma 11/2
J.T. Barrett Ohio State 6/1
Lamar Jackson Louisville 7/1
Sam Darnold USC 9/1
Saquon Barkley Penn State 10/1
Jake Browning Washington 10/1
Trace McSorely Penn State 10/1
Deondre Francois Florida State 12/1
Josh Rosen UCLA 12/1
Mason Rudolph Oklahoma State 12/1
Jalen Hurts Alabama 12/1
Derrius Guice LSU 15/1
Bo Scarbrough Alabama 15/1
Nick Fitzgerald Mississippi State 22/1
Nick Chubb Georgia 25/1
Kamryn Pettway Auburn 25/1
Shane Buechele Texas 35/1
Luke Falk Washington State 35/1

Alex Novick

Alex Novick Photo

Alex is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News.