College Football Futures: Heisman Trophy Picks & Predictions (2024)
If there is one thing we can count on this year in the Heisman Trophy race, it’s change. Cam Ward is the only player to remain favored for two weeks since the season began. So, if the pattern holds, you may want to keep your money rather than bet on the Heisman odds of the new favorite, Jalen Milroe.
But what you should do is take notice of who could be the next to rise once Milroe falls. You’ll want to bet on him now while his Heisman odds are nice and high. Because when Milroe slips and they have their Heisman moment like he had against Georgia, their odds will get really short, real fast.
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Heisman Trophy Odds: Two Value Plays to Bet Right Now
Heisman betting boards have been all about changing this year. At one time or another Dillon Gabriel, Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe and Cam Ward have been the betting favorites to win the 2024 Heisman. So, while Milroe may be the favorite now, that doesn’t mean he’ll stay.
He could, of course. If Milroe and Alabama go on a run and beat every remaining opponent, he’ll remain the favorite and win the Heisman. But if/when he slips and his star gets a little tarnish on it, you’ll be glad you got in on these two before their Heisman odds get shorter than they are now.
Nico Iamaleava (QB -Tennessee): +1600
Iamaleava started the season right with a dominant win over Chattanooga, 69-3 (22-28, 314 yards, 3 TDs). He hasn’t been as explosive or posted similar stat lines, but the talent is there for the redshirt freshman to work with.
To win, he’ll need to step up and be a little more productive. He is doing what matters most, though: winning. But voters like style and give points for it. They don’t want to see sub-200-yard passing days. Voters like stat lines that force them to take notice of a player’s exploits.
He’ll get the perfect chance to post such stat lines in a few weeks when the Vols face No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 Georgia later in the season. If he can lead the Vols to wins over both powerhouses, the Heisman will be his.
Dillon Gabriel (QB- Oregon): +1600
Gabriel has shown in a year’s past that he has the talent and skill set to win the Heisman. But he has not stayed healthy long enough in a season to follow through on his potential. It is now or never for the senior quarterback, and he’s been making most of his final college football season.
He’s completed an incredible 81.5% of his passes through four games. He’s thrown nine touchdowns and just one pick, averaging just under 300 yards a game. So, why isn’t he already at the top of betting boards? A 24-14 win over Idaho doesn’t impress anyone, no matter what your stat line is. Squeaking by Boise State doesn’t help either.
But Gabriel and the Ducks dominated Oregon State and UCLA. So, those wins are a start. Voters will need more - which they’ll get in a couple of weeks when the Ducks host No. 3 Ohio State. Gabriel will get a chance to remind voters he’s worthy a couple of weeks later when the Ducks face a ranked Illinois team and No. 10 Michigan.
Win all three, and Gabriel will at least be a finalist (but should win).