Finding value in 2013/14 Heisman Lines
The Heisman Trophy is annually one of the toughest awards to predict prior to the start of the season. Nevertheless, with everyone’s attention turned toward playoff action and the early part of the baseball season, there may be some value to be found in these odds before the average bettor takes a closer look.
Here are eight key names to know before laying your money down.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (+350)
If the Heisman Trust were to redesign their trophy, it would be sculpted in Johnny Manziel’s image. For goodness sake, the kid’s nickname is Johnny Football!
A year off becoming the first freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy, Manziel will be under the microscope this season, and that added scrutiny may be too much for even Johnny Football to overcome.
Archie Griffin is the only two-time winner of the award, and that came way back in 1974-75. There simply isn’t enough value in his odds to justify a play on the Aggie quarterback.
Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State (+550)
Ohio State’s schedule sets up well for the possibility of another undefeated season. The Buckeyes appear poised to make a run, and winning is certainly factored into the voters’ decision. In his second year working in Urban Meyer’s system, Miller should improve on the stats that were already impressive a year ago. In spite of what the odds say, Miller feels like the true favorite to win the award.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama (+600)
Yeldon is currently the favorite out of an always deep talent pool in Alabama. With Eddie Lacy moving on to the NFL, Yeldon is expected to receive the majority of the touches out of the Alabama backfield. He should improve upon the already strong numbers he put up in his freshman season, but he could end up splitting votes with quarterback A.J. McCarron.
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia (+850)
Murray will return to Georgia for his senior season and just about every key offensive player on the team returns with him. Gaudy stats are a certainty for Murray, but the question remains as to whether or not he can win the big game. He came as close as he ever has last season but couldn’t complete an upset of Alabama. If he can push through this season, he’ll surely be making the trip to New York.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (+1000)
Bridgewater could potentially be the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, but Louisville isn’t a traditional power and doesn’t have any quality opponents on the schedule. Also, their offense isn’t set up in a way that will allow him to put up the types of gaudy stats voters like. Bridgewater’s season could follow the same path that Andrew Luck’s did in his final year at Stanford.
Jadeveon Clowney, DL, South Carolina (+1100)
Clowney’s Heisman campaign began in last year’s Outback Bowl when he blew up a running play in the backfield and recovered the fumble himself. The nation’s appetite for a defensive winner has never been higher with Manti Te’o nearly breaking through last season to become the second defender to win the award. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Marqise Lee, WR, USC (+1200)
Lee put up otherworldly numbers a year ago and didn’t even get an invite to New York. In fact, a wide receiver hasn’t won the award since Desmond Howard in 1991. Lee may have all the physical tools to dominate college football and hear his name called early in the NFL Draft, but the Heisman Trophy may be the one thing out of his reach.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (+1200)
Johnson flew under the radar last year, so he offers solid value this season. As a true freshman he accumulated 2,060 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. His workload will only increase in 2013 with Mike James having graduated. With quarterback Stephen Morris returning for his senior season, the Hurricanes could be in for a big year.
2013 Heisman Trophy Odds
- Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M) +350
- Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State) +550
- T.J. Yeldon (RB Alabama) +600
- Aaron Murray (QB Georgia) +850
- A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama) +900
- Teddy Bridgewater (QB Louisville) +1000
- De’Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon) +1000
- Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina) +1100
- Marqise Lee (WR USC) +1200
- Duke Johnson (RB Miami) +1200
- Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson) +1350
- Marcus Mariota (QB Oregon) +2000
- Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska) +2000
- Lache Seastrunk (RB Baylor) +2000
- Blake Bell (QB Oklahoma) +2000
- Ameer Abdullah (RB Nebraska) +2500
- Stephen Morris (QB Miami) +2500
- Brett Hundley (QB UCLA) +3000
- Jeff Driskel (QB Florida) +4000
- Ka’Deem Carey (RB Arizona) +4500
- Kevin Gardner (QB Michigan) +5000
- Stefon Diggs (WR Maryland) +5000
Odds provided by Bovada
