Heisman Odds: CJ Stroud is Most Backed Heisman Candidate to Win the Award
Heisman Odds: CJ Stroud is Most Backed Heisman Candidate to Win the Award
The long summer nights are dwindling, as the kids head back to school. What was once such a sad time of year has now developed into one of the best as we age. It's football season, and college football is all the way back.
Week 0 was a wild one with Nebraska's upset loss to Northwestern, and before Week 1 gets underway it's probably wise to look at the Heisman odds and who the most backed Heisman candidates are.
To no surprise, the Heisman candidate with the best odds heading into Week 0 last week, is the one who is the most backed.
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Heisman Odds
| Name | Bets% | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Stroud | 12.2% | +200 | 33.33% |
| Will Anderson Jr | 9.9% | +1700 | 5.56% |
| Caleb Williams | 8.3% | +600 | 14.29% |
| Bryce Young | 8.2% | +400 | 20% |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 7.7% | +5000 | 1.96% |
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CJ Stroud Heisman Odds: +200 (Bet $100 to win $200)
It's not easy having to follow up a quarterback like Justin Fields but in 2021, CJ Stroud did an excellent job doing just that. In 12 games he completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 44 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His play had him as the only freshman who received Heisman votes, finishing third behind Bryce Young, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kenny Pickett. Not only is he the favorite, according to the Heisman odds but he is also the most backed at 12.2%.
Looking ahead in mock drafts, he is already expected to be a top-three pick if not the top player to come off the board. Both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and TreVeyon Henderson are Heisman candidates as well on his team so it may be difficult to do enough to stand out on his own and separate from those two.
Will Anderson Jr. Heisman Odds: +1700 (Bet $100 to win $1,700)
I was shocked to see Heisman candidate, Will Anderson Jr. with the second most bets here. It's nothing against Will Anderson Jr, who many consider to be the best player in the nation, it's just the position that he plays. He's an edge rusher, and a defensive player hasn't won the award since 1997 when Charles Woodson won it. Plus, part of the reasoning behind Woodson's win was his return ability and bringing interceptions to the house.
This is another player who likely will be going in the top-five of NFL Mock Drafts in 2023 but when looking at his chances to win the Heisman, it doesn't seem likely. Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the Heisman award since players stopped playing on both sides of the football.