2017 Heisman Trophy Odds & Predictions – Favorites & Contenders to Win Heisman Trophy: The 2017 college football season is fast approaching, and while making the College Football Playoff and winning a national title is the ultimate team goal, the ultimate individual goal for a player is capturing the Heisman Trophy.
Whether the award goes to the best player on the best team, the player with the best overall numbers or just the most valuable player can depend on the year, but in recent years, quarterbacks have owned the Heisman Trophy.
Since 2000, quarterbacks have taken home the honor in all but three seasons, with running backs claiming the other three awards. The last time a defensive player took home the Heisman was Charles Woodson in 1997, and the last receiver to win the award was Desmond Howard in 1991. Even then, both players also contributed on special teams.
Needless to say, there will be plenty of quarterbacks among this year’s favorites. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the frontrunners for the 2017 Heisman Memorial Trophy. Check the latest 2017 Heisman Trophy odds all season long at NSAwins.com.
2017 Heisman Trophy Odds & Predictions – Favorites & Contenders to Win Heisman Trophy
The Favorites
Once he got a chance to be the starter last season, USC quarterback Sam Darnold didn’t look back. The Trojans closed the year with nine straight victories, including an epic Rose Bowl win over Penn State that saw Darnold throw for 453 yards and five scores. With a full year under center, Darnold should have USC in the mix for a national title and himself at the forefront of the Heisman conversation.
An unbelievable start to last season helped Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson build an insurmountable lead in the Heisman race despite a lackluster close to the season. The final numbers were staggering. Jackson threw for more than 3,500 and 30 scores, and he ran for more than 1,500 yards and 21 more touchdowns. Repeating as the Heisman winner has been nearly impossible, but the video game-like numbers likely on tap again for Jackson, he has a strong chance.
He was the most efficient passer in the country last season, and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is back to lead what should again be one of the country’s most explosive offenses. He can carve up defenses with his arm, and his ability to extend plays with his legs makes him tough to stop. Big offensive numbers have been the norm for Mayfield, and his leadership has helped the Sooners re-enter the national title picture the last two years. It should be more of the same in 2017.
The Contenders
After finishing fifth in the Heisman voting as a freshman, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett figured to be a perennial contender for the award. It hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride, but the dual-threat weapon will once again headline an Buckeye squad that has national title expectations. Big plays eluded Barrett and company last year, but if he can resurrect the downfield passing attack, his numbers should look a lot more like they did when he was a frontrunner for the Heisman as a freshman.
He is already being touted as the best running back prospect at the collegiate level, and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley figures to be the centerpiece of the Nittany Lions’ offense in 2017. He ran for almost 1,500 yards and 18 scores last season, and he also chipped in more than 400 receiving yards. Barkley averaged 5.5 yards per carry, and his combination of power and speed makes him both a workhorse and a big-play weapon. If he puts up around 2,000 yards from scrimmage and Penn State remains relevant, Barkley could emerge from the sea of quarterbacks to capture the Heisman.
2017 Heisman Trophy Prediction: Lamar Jackson to win at +800 odds
Get updated 2017 college football betting odds all season long on NSAwins.com.
Odds to Win the 2017 Heisman Trophy
Sam Darnold (QB USC) +275
Baker Mayfield (QB Oklahoma) +750
Lamar Jackson (QB Louisville) +800
JT Barrett (QB Ohio State) +900
Saquon Barkley (RB Penn State) +900
Bo Scarbrough (RB Alabama) +1400
Derrius Grice (RB LSU) +1400
Jalen Hurts (QB Alabama) +1600
Deondre Francois (QB Florida State) +1800
Jake Browning (QB Washington) +1800
Nick Chubb (RB Georgia) +1800
Mason Rudolph (QB Oklahoma State) +2000
Josh Rosen (QB UCLA) +2000
Trace McSorley (QB Penn State) +3300
Nick Fitzgerald (QB Mississippi State) +3300
Kamryn Pettway (RB Auburn) +3300
Luke Falk (QB Washington State) +3300
Shane Buechele (QB Texas) +3300
Cam Akers (RB FSU) +5000
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