Who Will Win the Heisman Trophy in 2018?
By Loot, NCAA Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
When betting on who will win the Heisman Trophy, a more-refined approach is required. It's a calculating wager, one that will take a matter of several months to be settled. One must sit back and ponder a large spectrum of different possibilities. Injuries or any number of different factors could sink you in this bet. But if things fall your way, you can cash in a big way. And it's a fun bet to make, while you root for the player or players (which we strongly recommend) in every game of the season.
Entertainment-value aside, it's a bet that also allows you to showcase your ability to scout major talent. Sure, a lot of these players are on everyone's radar, but sometimes you can just sense when a player is due to explode. Maybe he's healthier, the guys around him got better, or you simply forecast a spike in form. You can certainly choose to bet on one player, but in a season-long bet where the returning odds are this large, it's wise to spread it around a little bit and not put all your eggs in one basket.
Naturally, a historical perspective always helps, especially when we see such strong tendencies in any bet. The two that stand out the most with Heisman futures are that quarterbacks, or at the very least offensive players, get all the love. Only one player on defense has ever hauled in Heisman hardware and they've been giving these things out since the thirties. Barring any freak occurrence, it's always a quarterback or a running back. Since 2000, a QB has won the Heisman 15 times out of 18 Heisman ceremonies. The other three were running backs. And while a player needn't necessarily play on a team that wins the CFP National Title, it certainly helps if he's on a good team. The better the team, the more exposure and the better chance a player makes an impact with the voters.
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Aberrations occur and can be justified at the right price, but one is probably correct in looking for the best quarterbacks in the country, with a side-eye for compelling standout running backs. Here are the odds to win the Heisman in the 2018 college football season:
Odds to Win the 2018 Heisman Trophy
Tua Tagovailoa (QB Alabama) +750
Bryce Love (RB Stanford) +700
Johnathan Taylor (RB Wisconsin) +900
Dwayne Haskins (QB Ohio State) +1100
Jake Fromm (QB Georgia) +1500
Khalil Tate (QB Arizona) +1400
Will Grier (QB West Virginia) +1400
Trace McSorley (QB Penn State) +1500
Trevor Lawrence (QB Clemson) +2000
J.K. Dobbins (RB Ohio State) +1800
Shea Patterson (QB Michigan) +2000
Kyler Murray (QB Oklahoma) +2200
Jarrett Stidham (QB Auburn) +2500
Cam Akers (RB Florida State) +2800
Justin Herbert (QB Oregon) +3000
Jake Browning (QB Washington) +2500
Sam Ehlinger (QB Texas) +3500
D'Andre Swift (RB Georgia) +4000
McKenzie Milton (QB UCF) +4000
Deondre Francois (Florida State) +4500
Drew Lock (QB Missouri) +4500
Damien Harris (RB Alabama) +5500
Brandon Wimbush (QB Notre Dame) +5000
Nick Fitzgerald (QB Mississippi State) +6000
Kelly Bryant (QB Clemson) +5000
Travis Etienne (RB Clemson) +8000
Ryan Finley (QB NC State) +12500
Ed Oliver (DL Houston) +12500
Nick Bosa (DL Ohio State) +12500
Justice Hill (RB Oklahoma State) +12500
Stephen Carr (RB USC) +15000
Frank Nutil (QB Temple) +20000
David Sills (WR West Virginia) +22500
AJ Dillon (RB Boston College) +3300
Best Favorite Picks:
Bryce Love (+700): At over 2000 yards and 8 yards per scamper in 2017, Love looks set up for a huge campaign this season for the Stanford Cardinal. There will be some big games on the schedule and opportunities for him to distance himself from the pack. Love finished second in the Heisman voting last season and looms large as a compelling pick for this year's honors.
Tua Tagovailoa (+750): Signs seem to point toward him getting the nod as the starter for the Crimson Tide and despite having not ever started a game, one would well within reason to forecast big things for the sophomore quarterback this season. If the Tide rise to the top again, Tagovailoa should right in the thick of this discussion.
Jonathan Taylor (+900): After rushing for 1977 yards as a freshman, Taylor will get the spotlight this season and have a chance to shine and make a big Heisman splash. Look for a healthy Taylor to carry the Badgers offense and put together a season worthy of Heisman consideration.
Best Mid-Level Selections:
Will Grier (+1400): After proliferating last season in the West Virginia offense, Grier looks poised to pounce this year with another added year of maturity. The gun-slinging quarterback has some nice buzz going and could be right in the thick of Heisman talk come December.
Trace McSorley (+1500): The Penn State quarterback begins his third season as a starter. If the Nittany Lions rise to the top of the conference and perhaps even beyond, McSorley has the name-power and looks to have the numbers to get him in the Heisman race for 2018.
JK Dobbins (+1800): It's hard when a running back competes with other talented players to get touches, as Dobbins does in Ohio State's offense. That could prevent Dobbins from putting up the numbers needed to get in the Heisman hunt. But the freshman was electric in spots last season and might have the kind of campaign that makes him worth a tickle at +1800.
Best Heisman Longshot Picks:
Justin Herbert (+3000): Let's assume Herbert continues to grow physically and mentally. And maybe, he stays healthy. If that happens and he has enough to work with around him, the Oregon quarterback is a tremendous passer and could put up a heck of a season.
AJ Dillon (+3300): First of all, it isn't easy to win the Heisman when you play for Boston College, Doug Flutie notwithstanding. But the hulking sophomore back might be the kind of player to do it. After rushing for 1589 yards last season, Dillon looks poised to put up huge numbers in 2018.
Deondre Francois (+4500): Last season was a wash with an injury. Prior to that, the Florida State quarterback was a rising freshman with a head of steam. Now a junior, maybe he can recapture some of that magic and get in the Heisman mix. Make this bet for FREE by taking advantage of a massive 100% sign-up bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $500 at GTBets!
