Heisman Trophy Odds - McCoy stops two-time Heisman bid for Tebow, Bradford
This year’s Heisman Trophy odds are led by the last two winners of the most prestigious individual award in college football, but the one who takes the trophy home in 2009 is a guy that received the most publicity coming out of high school, and he’s about to end his college career on a high note.
Heisman Trophy odds: McCoy keeps Heisman in Big 12
- Tebow, Bradford looking to join very elite company
- McCoy aims to fulfill destiny in senior year
- Pryor, Best are best longshots outside of top trio
Florida’s Tim Tebow was the fourth-rated passer in the NCAA last year as he led the Gators to another national championship. Tebow is the favorite with odds of +210, and with six other returning starters on offense, he’ll have plenty of options despite the loss of Percy Harvin. He’s also the best rushing quarterback in the land, and no one gets up for the big games better than Tebow.
Last year’s Heisman winner, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, would probably trade the award for the national championship, which his Sooners lost to Tebow’s Gators in a hard-fought battle. Bradford flirted with the NFL after a blistering sophomore campaign in which he led the country in quarterback rating and touchdowns, and he was third in yards. Your offshore sportsbook has Bradford at +285 to be the first player since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin to win the Heisman in back-to-back years.
Texas’ Colt McCoy has been destined for stardom since his freshman year, when he took the reins from Vince Young, but he exploded as a junior, coming in third in quarterback rating, ninth in touchdowns and passing yards, all while leading the NCAA in completion percentage. McCoy also became more of a dual threat, as he led the Longhorns in rushing as well. McCoy is rated at +310 in Heisman Trophy odds, and with seven other starters back on the Texas offense, including his favorite target, Jordan Shipley, McCoy will have a massive year.
Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor is listed at +800, and he had a great freshman year, winning the starter’s role after three games, and he was a major threat with his legs (second on the Buckeyes in rushing). Pryor should get more opportunities to throw this year, and word is that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is retooling the offense to focus on the sophomore quarterback. With the three pivots in front of him, Pryor will have to wait until next year.
A longshot is California running back Jahvid Best, who is rated at +1000 after coming in fifth in the nation in rushing. Best, who is going into his junior year, had eight 100+-yard games and three games of 200 yards or more, including a 311-yard rompfest over Washington. Playing in the Pac-10 helps to pad his stats, but if he can improve on a 30-yard performance against USC last year, he could nudge his way into the discussion.
BLAKE’S PICK: As I said before, only one man has won the Heisman twice, and that was Griffin in 1974 and 1975. Odds are, that takes Tebow and Bradford out of the running, unless they have outlandish year. Pryor is a year away yet, and as for Best, only one running back has won the Heisman this decade (USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005). Therefore, this year’s winner will be McCoy, the Texas gunslinger who came back for his senior year with a couple of missions: beat Oklahoma, win the Big 12 and the national championship, and the Heisman. He was touted as a star coming out of high school, and it comes full circle this year. Check off Colt McCoy as your betting pick for the Heisman this year.
For more college football betting odds and lines, visit the offshore sportsbook at betonline.com.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand. Thoughts or questions?
