I’m shouting from the rooftops as soon as once more that college football season is mainly right here, guys. Conference media days have began, and camp will probably be right here earlier than you realize it.
The begin of a brand new season means we get to anticipate who the very best gamers may be, and we will begin which studs will give us probably the most bang for our guess slips.
Enter the Heisman futures chat.
A few notes earlier than we get going. There has not been a back-to-back Heisman winner since Ohio State working again Archie Griffin received this award in 1974 and 1975. So whereas Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has the second-best odds to win this award for the second consecutive season, I cannot embody him in my wagers because of this. Voters have proven they like “new” gamers profitable this award.
Here’s the second factor. No participant west of the Rockies may be included. Sorry to my Pac-12 fam, however there simply aren’t nice choices exterior of Caleb Williams. And from expertise, nobody is profitable out West except they’re on a dynasty squad. Even with the addition of Williams, USC just isn’t that squad proper now.
Finally, I don’t like wagering on lengthy pictures simply because they’ve worth. Value isn’t nearly throwing cash on lengthy odds due to the large “what ifs.” You know those I’m speaking about. “It would possibly hit if this random factor occurs. Oh, and plus this bizarre factor has to occur. Don’t neglect, this different odd factor additionally has to occur!” And so on and so forth. It’s about discovering guys who’re in good spots with good odds.
A few lengthy pictures who received the Heisman that come to thoughts are WR DeVonta Smith and QB Lamar Jackson. Both had the longest odds ever previous to Week 2, at +10000, per FOX Sports analysis.
With all of that out of the best way, let’s leap into my three early Heisman picks, with all odds by way of FOX Bet.
The Ohio State quarterback is the favourite to win the award for good purpose. In his first season as a beginning quarterback, he threw for 4,435 yards whereas finishing 71.9% of his passes. Stroud’s adjusted yards per try was over 11, and he threw 44 touchdowns with solely six interceptions.
Ohio State and its extensive receiver group have a big-play offense, and C.J. main this unit will probably be higher in his second season as a starter. It wouldn’t shock me if Stroud threw for practically 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Remember, he didn’t play in opposition to Akron final season as a result of Ohio State wished to get younger guys some reps. A full 13 video games might get C.J. these numbers and a shiny Heisman.
Call me loopy, however Alabama’s Will Anderson was the very best participant in faculty football final season. And if Anderson had been draft-eligible, he would’ve been the primary choose within the NFL Draft. Even so, it is going to be an uphill climb for him to win this award, as no defensive participant has received this award since Charles Woodson in 1997.
Anderson does have a couple of issues working in his favor, although. He has preseason hype, which is essential for a participant’s picture heading into the season. Will Anderson will probably be talked about in each article, spotlight bundle and preseason preview as a Heisman favourite. And rightfully so. He earned this reward together with his 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss within the hardest convention within the sport final yr.
Another factor that he has working in his favor is that he begins for a squad that has half of its video games nationally televised, a workforce that will probably be competing for a nationwide championship. Eyeballs will probably be glued to this child’s play.
Let’s additionally acknowledge that there at present is not a robust quarterback subject to think about in terms of the Heisman. It’s exhausting — nearly not possible — for a defensive man to seize the award, however Bama’s Anderson might change that tide later this yr when December rolls round.
The Wisconsin working again totaled 1,268 yards on 6.8 yards per carry final season as a 17- year-old true freshman. Allen totaled these yards in solely 183 carries. Beyond spectacular.
Entering his second season, Allen should get the majority of the carries. For reference, Jonathan Taylor had 320 makes an attempt in Wisconsin’s final full season. So I imagine this should put Allen racking up greater than 2,000 yards this season. If he does have a 2,000-yard yr, that efficiency will get him seen.
But Braelon having an awesome season carrying the rock could be solely half the battle. The Badgers would additionally have to have a magical season for Allen to get himself to New York.
Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the University of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior yr. He is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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