No one ever said winning the Heisman Trophy as a running back would be easy, and for Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, his quest for the prestigious award seems to have taken a hit. Despite an impressive 128-yard, one-touchdown performance in Boise State’s victory over UNLV, Jeanty has dropped three spots on the DraftKings Heisman odds board, now listed at +400. This change highlights the challenge non-quarterback candidates face, especially with several quarterbacks posting standout performances this season.
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Quarterbacks Return to the Top
The spotlight shifted back toward quarterbacks with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel reclaiming the frontrunner position following a commanding 291-yard, three-touchdown game in the No. 1 Ducks’ 38-9 rout of Illinois. Gabriel’s Heisman odds are now set at +260. Close on his heels is Miami’s Cam Ward at +270, who led the No. 5 Hurricanes in a dominant win over rival Florida State. With both quarterbacks at the helm of undefeated, top-ranked teams, they are surging in popularity among both oddsmakers and bettors.
Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Impact
Colorado’s Travis Hunter is proving to be a rare Heisman contender with his ability to impact games on both sides of the ball. After a two-touchdown, 153-yard receiving performance while also playing lockdown defense, Hunter jumped from +2000 to +330, placing him as the third favorite in the Heisman race. Hunter has been the most popular bet since Saturday, with 31% of the Heisman money and 20% of total bets backing him.
Jeanty’s Impressive Stats Struggle to Keep Him in the Race
Jeanty remains the only running back in the Heisman conversation, boasting an FBS-best 1,376 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns through seven games. Despite his productivity, the Boise State standout’s odds fell to +400, as the Heisman landscape remains dominated by quarterbacks. However, Jeanty’s place as the top rusher in college football keeps him in the discussion, even if he faces a tougher path compared to dual-threat players like Hunter or signal-callers like Gabriel and Ward.
Notable Movements: Klubnik, Ewers, and Nussmeier See Odds Fluctuate
Several high-profile players experienced significant changes to their Heisman odds, with some narrowing the gap and others falling further out of the picture:
- Cade Klubnik (Clemson): Despite Clemson’s bye week, Klubnik saw his odds slide from +1600 to +2000 as other contenders delivered strong performances.
- Quinn Ewers (Texas): Ewers’ odds had one of the largest shifts, trending up +2500, although he remains a +5000 longshot.
- Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): LSU’s loss pushed Nussmeier’s odds from +3000 to +6000, effectively ending his Heisman bid.
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Current Heisman Trophy Odds (via DraftKings)
| Player | Team | Current Odds | Last Week | Preseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | Oregon | +260 | +380 | +750 |
| Cam Ward | Miami | +270 | +250 | +2200 |
| Travis Hunter | Colorado | +330 | +2000 | N/A |
| Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | +400 | +220 | N/A |
| Cade Klubnik | Clemson | +2000 | +1600 | N/A |
| Carson Beck | Georgia | +3500 | +2500 | +800 |
| Shedeur Sanders | Colorado | +4000 | +5000 | +2200 |
| Jaxson Dart | Ole Miss | +5000 | +4000 | +1400 |
| Jalen Milroe | Alabama | +5000 | +3000 | +1500 |
November Outlook: A Tight Four-Player Race
With Gabriel, Ward, Hunter, and Jeanty leading the pack, the Heisman race seems to be a four-player contest heading into November. However, Heisman hopefuls from powerhouse programs like Alabama and Clemson still have time to make an impact, especially as the stakes rise with playoff implications on the line.
