Heisman Odds: OSU’s CJ Stroud Sees Heisman Odds Slashed Following Strong Play

Heisman Odds: OSU’s CJ Stroud Sees Heisman Odds Slashed Following Strong Play

I think even CJ Stroud would have admitted earlier in the season that the likelihood of a potential Heisman trophy for the freshman QB looked bleak. Stroud started the season with a poor showing against Minnesota, then a loss at home to Oregon really killed his Heisman odds.

Two weeks later, Stroud was forced to mis a start agasint Akron due to injury. His backup, fellow freshman Kyle McCord, threw for 318 yards and two TDs in a 59-7 win. At this point, some were wondering if Stroud would even be the starting QB for the Buckeyes the next week and almost no one was thinking about his Heisman odds.

But, Stroud responded how superstars do. Since returning from injury, CJ Stroud has looked like the best player in the country. Three weeks ago, his Heisman odds sat at +2500. Now, those odds have been completely slashed. He’s the third favorite, according to the latest Heisman odds, and he has big games coming up that should allow him to make up the ground on the two names in front of him.

Can CJ Stroud win the Heisman Trophy? You’d be foolish to count him out.

CJ Stroud Heisman

CJ Stroud Heisman Odds

When talking about the likelihood of CJ Stroud winning the Heisman, you have to take a look at the Heisman odds for the two players in front of him.

The current favorite to win the Heisman plays his football in Tuscaloosa. Alabama QB Bryce Young, in his first season as the starter, is the favorite following Week 8 at +185. One thing Stroud has going for him is that Alabama, like Ohio State, has a loss on the season.

Directly behind Young is Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. The dual-threat signal caller has been amazing this year, but he lost to Bryce Young already when the two teams met this season, so it would be tough for him to surpass the Heisman odds favorite.

Stroud finds himself directly behind Corral. Remember when I mentioned that three weeks ago you could get CJ Stroud at +2500 to win the Heisman? Well, Stroud’s Heisman odds now sit at +600. At +2500, Stroud’s implied probability to win the Heisman was 3.8%. Now, at +600, that’s up to 14.3%.

The biggest thing going for Stroud is the strength of the opponents left on his schedule.

Ohio State’s Remaining Games

• October 30 vs. #20 Penn State
• November 6 at Nebraska
• November 13 vs. Purdue
• November 20 vs. #8 Michigan State
• November 27 at #6 Michigan

If CJ Stroud and Ohio State can win out, and Stroud puts up big numbers, there is no reason why he can’t pass both Corral and Young. Remember, Young still has to play the No. 1 team and defense in the entire nation in Georgia if they make it to the SEC title game. In all likelihood, Alabama is going to finish this season with two losses and without a conference title.

Unfortunately for everyone still looking to bet on Heisman odds, CJ Stroud isn’t available at massive numbers anymore. But, you can still get that +600 number before it gets even shorter.

Heisman Odds – Top QB Statistics

Heisman Odds

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