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Colorado Buffaloes cornerback DJ McKinney celebrates his interception with wide receiver Travis Hunter as we give our Heisman Trophy odds update.
Colorado Buffaloes cornerback DJ McKinney (8) celebrates his interception with wide receiver Travis Hunter (12). Photo by Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.

The Heisman Trophy debate will be put to rest on Saturday evening as college football hands out its most prestigious individual award for the 90th time.

Although fans have exchanged views about the two potential winners, Colorado's Travis Hunter and Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, for months, the Heisman Trophy odds called this race a while ago.

Hunter (-2500) has been the runaway favorite at our college football betting sites for weeks, with Jeanty (+1100) the only other individual being given a realistic chance by oddsmakers. Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (+40000) and Miami's Cam Ward (+50000) will join the aforementioned duo for the ceremony.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony begins at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+) from the Lincoln Center in New York.

Heisman Trophy odds 2024

Live Heisman Trophy odds from our best sports betting apps.

  • Travis Hunter: Hunter's above-average play at two positions has catapulted him into the driver's seat ahead of the 2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony
  • Ashton Jeanty: Jeanty helped Boise State clinch the G5 College Football Playoff odds spot, and he's within touching distance of breaking Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record, but it doesn't appear to be enough to win the award
  • Dillon Gabriel: Gabriel has spearheaded Oregon to being the favorite in the college football championship odds, but his stats simply don't jump off the page like those of former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks
  • Cam Ward: Ward deserves his flowers for performances this season, and he got them with an invite to New York. Ultimately, though, losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse ended his Heisman Trophy dreams

Heisman Trophy favorite 2024

Travis Hunter (-2500)

Nine weeks ago, Hunter was my Heisman candidate to watch at +1800. Then his odds shortened drastically to +300, and it felt inevitable that he'd be in New York City as a finalist for college football's top honor.

However, Hunter exited Colorado's Week 7 loss to Kansas State and Week 8 win against Arizona due to a shoulder issue. Having played limited snaps by his standards in those games, and lacking splash plays, it looked like his Heisman shot might really be over.

Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter pulls in a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Hunter leads the Heisman Trophy odds.
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter pulls in a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.

But that's why you should never doubt a player like Hunter. He returned with a vengeance in Week 9 and popped off for 153 yards and two scores on nine receptions against Cincinnati.

Coming out of Colorado's Week 10 bye, he led the Buffaloes to wins over Texas Tech and Utah while totaling 15 touches for 159 yards and two scores with an interception.

While Colorado wasn't able to beat Kansas in Week 13, Hunter wasn't the issue. He had another monstrous game with nine receptions for 125 yards and two scores on offense. He added seven tackles and a beautiful PBU on defense. Then he put the exclamation mark on his season with 10 receptions for 116 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State.

He finished fifth in the country in receptions (92), second in receiving touchdowns (14), fifth in receiving yards (1,152), and top 40 in coverage stops among cornerbacks (10) while allowing just a 40.0 NFL QB rating, per PFF.

With Hunter closing out the season so strongly, I don't see any way he doesn't win it at this point. It will appeal to voters that he's the only true two-way player in the country and arguably the most valuable player in the nation as a top-five wide receiver and cornerback. 

Even with a $10 winning bet paying just a $0.40 profit, I think it's the best bet to make. Jeanty wasn't able to keep up his historic pace and now the race appears over.

Best odds: -2500 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 96.15%

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My Heisman Trophy candidate to watch

Ashton Jeanty (+1100)

I've been banging the table for Jeanty for months. He was my best Doak Walker bet at +1200 before the season in my college football predictions and best bets.

I had him as my Heisman candidate to watch when he was +4000. He then shot up the board quicker than he finds the end zone on gameday, with his odds being as short as +190 a few weeks ago.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty runs up the middle against Oregon State. Jeanty is second in the Heisman Trophy odds.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty runs up the middle against Oregon State. Photo by Brian Losness via Imagn Images

That's why I think it was a massive overreaction that he fell from the consensus favorite to No. 4 on the board for a period of time. The odds fully rebounded and Jeanty has been the second-favorite for a few weeks, but it almost feels unreasonable to believe he'll win the award over Hunter.

However, he's put up historically impressive numbers with 2,497 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns. The stats are even more jaw-dropping when considering his nation-leading 1,882 rushing yards after contact are more than any player rushed for total.

Jeanty is the best running back in the country, and he looks like a lock to finish second behind Hunter. Although this price pays a $110 profit on a $10 winning bet, it's probably not worth considering, although many on social media believe he deserves the award over Hunter.

Best odds: +1100 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 8.33%

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How Heisman Trophy voting works

The ballots went out to Heisman Trophy voters - 870 media members - on Monday, Dec. 2, and the deadline to vote was the following Monday (Dec. 9). Colorado's Travis Hunter, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, and Miami's Cam Ward were announced as the finalists that night.

Heisman Trophy odds will likely close and be pulled in the coming days.

How to bet on the Heisman Trophy

Betting on Heisman Trophy odds is pretty straightforward. Start by choosing a reputable sportsbook that offers Heisman futures.

Look at the odds for different players; for example, if Carson Beck is at +400 and Shedeur Sanders is at +800, Beck is more favored to win. Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you put $100 on Beck at +400 and he wins, you’ll get $500 back ($400 profit + $100 stake).

Follow player performances throughout the season to track how your bet is doing.

But why do odds change in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player excels or underperforms, their odds will adjust. Injuries to the player or competitors can significantly impact their Heisman chances.

The success of the player’s team can also influence their odds. Public betting trends are important too; if many people are betting on a particular player, sportsbooks might change the odds to manage their risk.

Expert analysis and predictions can also sway betting patterns and odds. Understanding these factors can help you make more informed bets and possibly catch some favorable odds shifts.

How to read Heisman Trophy odds

When reading Heisman Trophy odds, the odds are typically displayed in formats like +300 or -150.

Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For instance, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.

These odds also reflect the implied probability of a player winning the Heisman Trophy. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher chance of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower chance. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on various factors, including player performance, injuries, team success, and betting patterns.

For example, if Quinn Ewers has +300 odds and Will Howard has +800 odds, Ewers is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Ewers and he wins, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).

Heisman Trophy odds over time

Odds via DraftKings.

PlayerOpening odds (March 30)Oct. 7Dec. 8Dec. 12
Ashton JeantyOFF+225+900+1000
Carson Beck+800+2500OFFOFF
Quinn Ewers+800+2000OFFOFF
Dillon Gabriel+800+1500+35000+25000
Jalen Milroe+800+1100OFFOFF
Nico Iamaleava+1100+3500OFFOFF
Will Howard+1400+6500OFFOFF
Garrett Nussmeier+1500+4500OFFOFF
Jaxson Dart+2000+1800OFFOFF
Brady Cook+2000+20000OFFOFF
Conner Weigman+2000+12000OFFOFF
Jackson Arnold+2000OFFOFFOFF
Riley Leonard+2000+8000OFFOFF
Cam Ward+2000+400OFF+50000
Noah Fifita+2500+25000OFFOFF
Shedeur Sanders+2500+3500+50000OFF
Cade Klubnik+3000+1600OFFOFF
DJ Uiagalelei+3000OFFOFFOFF
Miller Moss+3000+7500OFFOFF
Travis Hunter+3500+300-2500-2500
Jalon Daniels+4000OFFOFFOFF
Ollie Gordon II+4000OFFOFFOFF
Quinshon Judkins+4000+13000OFFOFF
Trevor Etienne+4000+30000OFFOFF
Avery Johnson+5000+8000OFFOFF
Cam Rising+5000OFFOFFOFF
Drew Allar+5000+4000OFFOFF
Jayden Maiava+5000OFFOFFOFF
Luther Burden+5000+13000OFFOFF
TreVeyon Henderson+5000+20000OFFOFF
Will Rogers+5000+25000OFFOFF

Heisman Trophy odds history

YearNamePreseason odds
2023Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU+1000
2022Caleb Williams, QB, USC+600
2021Bryce Young, QB, Alabama+800
2020Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama+10000
2019Joe Burrow, QB, LSU+4000
2018Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma+3000
2017Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma+1000
2016Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville+10000
2015Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama+2500
2014Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon+425
2013Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State+600

Heisman Trophy winners by position

PositionHeisman Trophy winners
Running back40
Quarterback38
Wide receivers4
Tight end2
Fullback2
Halfback2
Cornerback1

Heisman Trophy FAQs

Who are the Heisman Trophy favorites?

Colorado's Travis Hunter is the favorite to win the Heisman. His shortest odds (-2500) imply a 96.15% probability he'll win, according to our odds calculator.

Who won the Heisman Trophy last year?

LSU's Jayden Daniels secured the 2023 Heisman Trophy, becoming the 89th winner of the award.

When will the Heisman Trophy be decided?

The 2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony takes place on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. ET.

Where will the Heisman Trophy ceremony take place?

The 2024 Heisman Ceremony takes place at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City. The venue has hosted each of the last three Heisman Trophy presentations.

College football odds pages

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