Heisman Watch: Ranking the Top 5 Heisman Odds Candidates Heading into Week 5

Heisman Watch: Ranking the Top 5 Heisman Odds Candidates Heading into Week 5

We're five weeks into the college football season and the top three names on our Heisman Watch list look pretty much the same as they did in the preseason.

So far, this year's Heisman Watch list has been a bit of a letdown regarding big performances. Our favorite is yet to play an actual decent football team and our two names right behind him have played poorly in their biggest games of their college football season to this point.

Hopefully, that ends this week as there are plenty of opportunities for big names to slash their Heisman odds this week.

It's time to break down our Heisman Watch list as we head into Week 5 of the college football season.

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Heisman Watch: Top 5 Heisman Odds

1. CJ Stroud - Ohio State QB (+160) (Bet $100 to win $160)

In last week's Heisman Watch list, CJ Stroud was the clear favorite at +260. This week, his Heisman odds have been slashed even further to +160, putting even more space between him and the rest of the pack. The good news for CJ Stroud Heisman bettors is that he looked great last week in his biggest test of the season. The bad news is Wisconsin isn't actually a good team this year, so we're still waiting to see this OSU squad against real competition. Still, Stroud threw for 281 yards and five touchdowns. This week, Stroud and the Buckeyes get another cupcake in Rutgers. Sure, the Scarlet Knights are 3-1, but OSU is a 39.5-point favorite at home on Saturday. Stroud is far and away the Heisman favorite, but I think it's more for a lack of competition than it is his own strong play.

2. Bryce Young - Alabama QB (+500) (Bet $100 to win $500)

Bryce Young's Heisman odds have not moved since last week, but his place on our Heisman Watch list has. Last week, Young was firmly in the No. 3 spot. This week, he's the second favorite to win the award again. Bryce Young absolutely shredded Vanderbilt last week. The defending Heisman Trophy winner put up 385 yards and four TDs through the air, leading his team to a 55-3 win. But, as we know, Vanderbilt stinks. So, how much stock are we putting into this performance? But, that doesn't matter. What does matter is the stretch of three games that Alabama and Young are about to play. This week, the Tide get No. 20 Arkansas, next week it No. 17 Texas A&M and after that it's No. 8 Tennessee. If Bryce Young wants to find himself making a push for the top spot on the Heisman Watch list, he needs to win all three games and look good doing it, because there doesn't seem to be a team in the Big Ten that is going to challenge Ohio State and CJ Stroud. These next three weeks are crucial for Bryce Young's Heisman odds.

3. Caleb Williams - USC QB (+700) (Bet $100 to win $700)

Oof. That's the word I would use to describe Caleb Williams' first real test of the 2022 college football season. Sure, the Trojans got the win, which I'm sure he'll take, but his Heisman odds took a massive hit in the process as he looked pretty bad despite the victory. Traveling to Corvallis is a big task, especially against a good Oregon State team, but you can't have games like Williams did last week and expect it not to impact your spot on the Heisman Watch list. Williams completed just 16 of 36 passes for 180 yards and 1 TD. That performance very well could have been the worst performance of his collegiate career to this point. The good news is he didn't turn the ball over and the Trojans won. This week is a big bounce-back spot for Williams as they play Arizona State, the worst team in the Pac-12. I'm expecting to see big numbers from Williams, who I have already backed to win the Heisman. Sure, I'm biased, but I still think he's the best player in the nation. Last week has to be the only game he plays like that if he expects to win the Heisman this year.

4. Hendon Hooker - Tennessee QB (+1400) (Bet $100 to win $1,400)

You can't find me a player that had a better week last week than Hendon Hooker. Not only did he lead the Vols to their first win over Florida since 2016, but he also did it while absolutely balling out. Hooker finished with 349 passing yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing. Not only that, but he rushed for 112 yards and a TD as well. His 349 passing yards were the second most ever for a Vols QB against Florida, behind only Peyton Manning. Prior to last week's win, Hooker wasn't even on our Heisman Watch list and his Heisman odds sat at +4000. Now, just a week later, he's the fourth favorite to win the award at +1400, leapfrogging guys like Michael Penix Jr. and Stetson Bennett. This week is another big game for Hooker and the Vols. They need to avoid a letdown against a solid LSU team as they are coming off a big win and have a huge game against No. 2 Alabama next week where we will see two QBs on our Heisman Watch list face off for the first time this season.

5. Stetson Bennett - Georgia QB (+2500) (Bet $100 to win $2,500)

Ole reliable. Stetson Bennett isn't the flashiest of names on our Heisman Watch list but week after week he's here and for good reason. Bennett has been fantastic this season. Not many gave him a chance to win the Heisman before the season started, but now he's one of the five most likely to win the award. Ironically, last week was the worst Georgia has looked all season. PLaying against a bad Kent State team, the Bulldogs won by just 17 points, 39-22, and Bennett threw an interception while not reaching the end zone through the air. Down games happen, but if Bennett wants to hang around with the four other high-powered arms on this Heisman Watch list, he's going to have to perform week in and week out to make up for some of the "game-manager" talk about him. Still, if Georgia continues to be the best team in the nation it's going to be hard to make a case against Bennet's Heisman odds.