Is the Heisman race a formality with three weeks to go before voting closes?
Colorado’s Travis Hunter had a fantastic day Saturday as the No. 17 Buffaloes defeated Utah at home. Hunter is now -500 to win the trophy at BetMGM. His odds are so low that you would only win $2 on a $10 bet.
Hunter replayed almost every snap, both on offense and defense. He intercepted a deflected pass, made a highlight-reel catch to set up a touchdown and then added a touchdown of his own in the fourth quarter when he cut back across the field as Colorado put the game out of reach.
After the game, Colorado coach Deion Sanders was asked if he had a message for any Heisman voters who might be undecided at this point in the season.
“If they can’t see, they can’t see. It is what it is, Travis is who he is,” Sanders said. “It should go to the best college football player. I think that’s a turnaround since what, week 2? We don’t ask for anyone, we don’t do that. We have a wonderful display of cameras here and I think we’re on national television every week. If they can’t see it, there’s a problem.”
“Don’t let their hatred of me hinder the success of our children. They have to stop that. You’ve got to stop all that… you’ve got to stop that man. Give the children what they deserve.”
Hunter finished the game with three tackles and a pass defensed to go with his interception, five catches for 55 yards and that five-yard TD run. After his pick in the first half, Hunter made sure to strike the Heisman pose.
Hunter’s odds were even money entering the weekend and made such a big jump thanks to his performance and a few other factors. Oregon struggled and needed a late interception to seal a 16-13 victory at Wisconsin, Miami and QB Cam Ward left in Week 12, and Boise State played San Jose State on CBS Sports Network at the same time as the Ducks played against the Badgers and Tennessee. Visited Georgia.
Dillon Gabriel was 22 of 31 passing for 218 yards and an interception for Oregon on Saturday night and his odds dropped all the way to +2200. He is now the number 4 favorite. Miami QB Cam Ward’s odds are +1400, which currently leaves Ashton Jeanty as the only contender close to Hunter at +425.
Jeanty was fantastic again in Boise State’s win over SJSU, although we’re not sure how many voters watched that game. He had 32 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the 42-21 win. Jeanty has now rushed 256 times for 1,893 yards and leads college football with 26 rushing touchdowns. He scored at least one TD in every game against an FBS opponent this season.