Heisman Trophy Betting – Handicapping The Heisman Betting Favorites
Online betting players love to bet on the Heisman props, annually one of the most popular props in any sportsbook. This year’s race figures to be wide open, and we won’t have a clear line on who will be invited to New York before the second week in November, at the latest, but a Buckeye is the one you should take if you’re going to make an early Heisman bet.
Heisman Betting – The Favorites
Mark Ingram (+400) won the first Heisman in Alabama history last year as he played a massive role in their national title, and the running back returns for another run at the championship. However, there’s word that Trent Richardson will steal some of Ingram’s carries, which will also keep him fresh for late in the season. Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (+650) may be the most dynamic player in the country, but the Buckeyes are going to have to open up the playbook and let him improvise more now that he is a junior. Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett (+800) had a massive first year in the SEC after transferring out of Michigan, and now the strong-armed quarterback be out to prove that it wasn’t a fluke. Washington’s Jake Locker (+800) was a Heisman candidate last year before petering off later in the season, and many think he’ll be the first quarterback selected in next year’s draft.
Heisman Betting – The Second Tier
This is where it gets really interesting for NCAA football betting players. Pitt’s Dion Lewis (+1200) is ranked just ahead of fellow running backs Noel Devine of West Virginia (+1300) and Penn State’s Evan Royster (+1400), and many people figured Devine would have been more in contention for a Heisman award in his time with the Mountaineers. Houston gunslinger Case Keenum (+1300) leads a stellar group of quarterbacks, such as Boise State’s Kellen Moore (+1400), Miami’s Jacory Harris (+1500), Stanford’s Andrew Luck (+1600) and Florida State’s Christian Ponder (+1600), who is coming off an injury that cut his 2009 campaign short. Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray (+1800) will get some work for the Sooners, but not as much as you think because their young quarterback got lots of training last season.
Heisman Betting – The Longshots
Miami running back Damien Berry (+2000) kicks off the longshots category, but the guys to watch here are a pair of Big 12 quarterbacks, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones (+2500) and Texas’ Garrett Gilbert (+2500). Jones played most of last year while Sam Bradford was injured, while Gilbert was thrown into the fire when Colt McCoy was hurt early in the BCS title game against Alabama, and he improved as the game wore on. Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers (+2200) should earn some attention as the most explosive player in the Pac-10, and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is a bonus. USC pivot Matt Barkley (+2500) had a solid freshman year, but with everything that has happened in Southern California, how will his focus be? The same goes for Oregon tailback LaMichael James (+3300), who had some legal issues during the offseason.
Heisman Betting – Analysis And Pick
We wouldn’t bet on a repeat by Ingram, who coincidentally stopped two players last year (Oklahoma’s Bradford and Florida’s Tim Tebow) from winning their second Heisman award. Pryor is probably the best pick out of the favorites as his Buckeyes should have a successful season, and he’ll be at the heart of all of their best play. Virtually anyone in the second tier has the ability to boost their Heisman betting odds throughout the year, and the players we would bet on are West Virginia’s Devine, Miami’s Harris and Florida State’s Ponder. Devine doesn’t have as much help as Harris or Ponder, so if he has a big year (top five nationally in rushing), he’ll end up in New York. Rodgers is the best longshot bet to make as he should end up being the Pac-10 Player of the Year, and if his Beavers go to the Rose Bowl, he could make a sports betting player look very good.
