The first half of the 2021 college football season is in the books. Now, we can truly evaluate which teams are contenders and pretenders. The 2021 Heisman Trophy odds for those interested in college football betting are also becoming more accurate. Now could be the last time bettors can get a true value on the player they believe will take home college football’s most prestigious award this season.
There have been many players worthy of the Heisman Trophy this season, which is not always the case. This season feels like a true race, though Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the clear college football betting favorite early on. Let’s take a look at the Heisman Trophy odds and candidates for 2021.
2021 Heisman Trophy Odds | College Football Betting
The Contenders | Heisman Odds
Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama
The sophomore quarterback from California would likely be the Heisman Trophy winner if the award were given out tomorrow. He’s put up incredible numbers for one of the best teams in the country. In his first year as the starter, he’s thrown for 2,453 yards, 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His QBR is 176.8, which is fourth in the nation. He hasn’t had his Heisman moment quite yet, but he’s passed every other test thus far. The Crimson Tide’s schedule lays out nicely for Young, who can close out the regular season with a couple of big moments against good teams. Saban and company still have to play LSU, Auburn and Arkansas. If Young can play well in those games, it might be hard for the other contenders to pass him up. Odds: +160
Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Matt Corral is another SEC quarterback with good odds to win the prestigious award. However, his play of late has seen him slip in the Heisman race. Last week against LSU, he put up pretty modest numbers. He passed for one touchdown and only managed 185 yards through the air. Still, Corral is a legitimate Heisman contender. He’s thrown for 15 touchdowns on the year and only three interceptions. Corral is also a true dual-threat, rushing for 474 yards and nine touchdowns. As is the case with Young, Ole Miss will have tough games down the stretch for Corral to set himself apart. The Rebels will take on Auburn this weekend, but still have games to play against Auburn and Mississippi State. While Corral has slipped of late, he’s still very much in the race. Odds: +400
CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State
Right now, CJ Stroud has the second-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. That is crazy considering after Ohio State lost to Oregon, fans and pundits alike were calling for him to be benched. However, right now he’s playing like the best quarterback in the country. His throw last weekend to Jaxon Smith-Njigba was incredible; one of the best throws I’ve seen a college quarterback make in a while.
With that being said, it’s very possible that Stroud has the momentum and big-time games to win the award. He’s thrown for 1,965 yards so far this year. Stroud has also thrown for 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The Buckeyes will take on Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan in the closing weeks of the regular season. Stroud will have plenty of opportunities to shine, and right now he would be my betting pick to win the Heisman. Odds: +350
Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Michigan State
Kenneth Walker III has had an incredible first season in East Lansing. Spartan head coach Mel Tucker sure found himself a good one in the Wake Forest transfer. Walker has rushed for 997 yards and scored nine touchdowns. A running back hasn’t won the Heisman Trophy since 2015, when Derrick Henry won the award when he was at Alabama. Just like it does for the other three, the schedule sets up nicely for Walker to have some great moments in the coming weeks. He can start out on the right foot this weekend when the Spartans host rivals Michigan. Odds: +2500
On The Outside Looking In | Heisman Odds
Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pitt
Kenny Picket has come out of nowhere to be a star this season at Pitt. He’s thrown for an impressive 2,236 yards and 23 touchdowns. The craziest stat with him is that he has only thrown one interception on the year. Pitt is back and contending again in the ACC, and Pickett is the main reason why. His QBR of 181.8 is third in the nation, behind only Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina and Stroud. Pickett is a guy you might want to take a flier on. Odds: +450
Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati
Desmond Ridder is a hell of a football player. In his fourth year as the Bearcat starter, he has them on the verge of a playoff berth. Ridder has been the definition of consistent during his four years as the starter. However, this year, he’s really put on a show and shown how great of a leader and quarterback he is. He has thrown for 1,650 yards, with 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions. However, Ridder has stayed in the pocket and developed a better pocket presence this year, compared to previous years. He still does have three rushing touchdowns. Unlike the rest of the group, Ridder won’t have big games to impress the voters. However, with that being said, if Cincinnati has any hope of making the playoff, they need to win and win big. Therefore, Ridder will have ample opportunities to impress the voters with his statistics. Odds: +2500
Who’s the Best Pick?
At the end of the day, I think guys like Pickett, Ridder, and Walker will be given a fair shot to win the award. The big-time players at blue blood programs always have the edge when it comes to prestige and awards. Stroud, Young, or Corral will likely walk away with the trophy.They will have all the opportunities they need to impress the country and Heisman voters alike. However, the biggest disappointment of the Heisman race this season? The fact that there is no defensive player who could feasibly win the award. With how the year is playing out, a guy like Chase Young at Ohio State or Jabrill Peppers at Michigan would have a great chance to win the award, because no one has made themselves really stand apart.
My pick to win the Heisman is Bryce Young. It’s boring and it kind of sucks to pick the favorite, but I just don’t see anybody passing him down the stretch. Sure, CJ Stroud will have at least three huge games to put up big numbers, but I don’t know that he’ll come through. Matt Corral had a sluggish showing against LSU last weekend, and the hype around him seems to be fading.
Pickett is an interesting case. He’s had one of the better seasons we’ve seen from a college quarterback in quite some time. With Clemson being down and out, the ACC is there to win for the Panthers. If they can win the ACC, Pickett should be right in the thick of the race. However, Young is still my pick to win the award.
