While Las Vegas sports books are not allowed to accept bets on voted-upon events such as the Heisman Trophy, the wagering option can be found elsewhere, and college football handicapper Brian Edwards is providing updated mock odds throughout the college football season.
Let's start with the top four Heisman Trophy candidates to date, before touching briefly on the fringe contenders.
1. Marcus Mariota (Oregon QB, 5/1 'chalk'). From his individual numbers to his team's performance and every other intangible Heisman voters are looking for, Mariota deserves the favorite label at this point. He has completed 70.4 percent of his throws for 806 yards through three games, with an 8/0 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Mariota has 156 rushing yards, a 7.8 yards-per-carry average and three rushing scores. He was also dynamite at crunch time on the national stage, leading the Ducks to a comeback win over Michigan State.
2. Kenny Hill (Texas A&M QB, 6/1 odds). Hill is fifth in the nation with his 1,094 passing yards. The first-year starter has led the Aggies to three easy wins, including a record-setting performance in a blowout victory at South Carolina. Hill has connected on 69.2 percent of his passes, throwing 11 touchdown passes without an interception.
3. Jameis Winston (Florida State QB, 7/1 odds). The stats aren't there – yet. Winston also has the repeat-winner thing working against him, in addition to negative opinions some voters may have due to off-the-field events. Nevertheless, he is one of the country's best players, on what many believe is the best team, with plenty of showcase games looming, including Saturday's showdown vs. Clemson.
4. Bryce Petty (Baylor QB, 8/1 odds). Petty's case might get hurt because he missed a stats-bolstering Week 2 game against Northwestern State. However, he leads the nation's most high-octane offense and has plenty of time and opportunities to impress voters. In just five quarters of play, Petty has a 6/0 TD-INT ratio and one rushing score.
Fringe contenders:
Todd Gurley (Georgia RB, 10/1 odds). If Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo feeds his horse properly on first-and-goal at the South Carolina 4-yard line at winning time, Gurley might still be the 'chalk.' But that didn't happen, Georgia lost and Gurley's resume was damaged. Of course, he can change that, especially if UGA runs the table. In only two games, Gurley has rushed 35 times for 329 yards (9.4 YPC avg.) and four TDs. He also has a 100-yard kick return for a score.
Everett Golson (Notre Dame QB, 12/1 odds). Golson has seven TD passes without an interception, in addition to four rushing scores. He'll remain a contender as long as the Irish remain unbeaten.
Taysom Hill (BYU QB, 15/1). Hill is 14th in the nation in rushing yards with 356. He has 1,045 rushing and passing yards combined and has accounted for 10 TDs (six rushing, four passing). BYU’s schedule isn't exactly daunting, so his stats could be eye-popping come November.
Nick Marshall (Auburn QB, 18/1). He'll get his chance to shine Thursday at Kansas State and in many monster SEC games down the line.
Trevor Knight (Oklahoma QB, 25/1 odds). Knight needs to step up his play, but he can't be counted out as while the Sooners remain perfect.
Sleepers
Don't forget Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott (40/1) or Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah (40/1), either. Abdullah is 10th in the nation in rushing, while Prescott has a 9/2 TD-INT ratio, two rushing scores and a TD catch.
Brian Edwards is a college football handicapper who contributes a weekly column to The Linemakers on Sporting News. For more valuable information and insight, follow him on Twitter @vegasbedwards and visit his website, BrianEdwardsSports.com.
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