Heisman Watch: Ranking the Top 5 Heisman Odds Candidates Heading into Week 7

Heisman Watch: Ranking the Top 5 Heisman Odds Candidates Heading into Week 7

According to the latest Heisman odds, the Heisman Watch is beginning to heat up, as three players from across the country have pulled away from the rest of the pack.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter and Miami quarterback Cameron Ward are the top three names when it comes to the 2024 Heisman Trophy. However, guys like Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel, Cade Klubnik and Quinn Ewers are right behind them and could be propelled into that top tier with a big performance.

Who will win the 2024 Heisman? Your guess is as good as min in this wide-open field, but let's take our weekly look at the top names, what they've done to this point and what they need to do to take home the trophy come December.

Before you make your college football picks for an insane Week 7 slate, make sure you get your bets in on the Heisman odds.

Click here to get the latest Heisman Trophy odds ahead of Week 7

Heisman Odds

Heisman Watch: Top 5 Heisman Odds

1. Ashton Jeanty - Boise State RB (+275)

It's funny how much things can change in just a week. Seven days ago, the top spot on our Heisman Watch list belonged to Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. Now, it's Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty who is running away with it. To Jeanty's credit, he deserves to be atop the latest Heisman odds as he continues to put up mind-boggling numbers. In five games, Jeanty has led the Broncos to a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming in a 37-34 showdown with No. 3 Oregon. On top of that, he has an insane 1,031 yards and 16 TDs on just 95 carries. He averages 10.9 yards per carry so far this season. Every time Boise State throws the ball, their offensive coordinator should get interrogated, seeing as Jeany gets a first down every time he touches the ball. Last week against Utah State, Jeanty had 186 yards and three TDs on 13 first-half carries and was pulled at halftime because the game was already in hand. This week, Jeanty and the Broncos get Hawaii and their 61st-ranked run defense. Get ready for a show.

2. Travis Hunter - Colorado CB/WR (+350)

At some point, voters are going to have to decide what exactly wins you a Heisman Trophy. Is it gaudy numbers against some so-so competition? Or, is it being undeniably the best football player in the country while playing both sides of the ball? Right now, the Heisman odds favor Jeanty, but Travis Hunter isn't far behind. So far this season, Travis Hunter has put up 561 yards and six TDs on 46 receptions as a receiver. On the defensive side of the ball, he's added two interceptions. He is the focal point of a Colorado team that is off to a 4-1 start and is making some noise. This week's matchup against a 4-1 Kansas State team will tell us a lot about just how for real the Buffs are. If they can continue to win football games with Hunter at the center of it all, I can't see a world where he isn't in the top two come December. Now, if Jeanty rushes for 3,000 yards, this is all moot, but Hunter continues to be the most complete football player in the country every single week.

3. Cameron Ward - Miami QB (+500)

If you've watched Cameron Ward play QB for the Miami Hurricanes this season you've left asking two questions. One, why aren't more people talking about him? Two, why does he play as though he's half asleep? The latter question aside, the fact remains that Cameron Ward has been the best QB in the country to this point of the season. Ward's 2,219 passing yards are first in the country, as are his 20 passing TDs. Meanwhile, his 91.2 QBR is No. 3 in the nation. The one thing standing in the way of Cameron Ward's Heisman hopes is the ACC. It's hot garbage. Miami may finish the entire regular season without playing a single ranked opponent. Meanwhile, even Boise State played Oregon while Jeanty put up massive numbers in a loss. A win in the ACC title game against Clemson is the only way I see Cameron Ward convincing voters to vote for him because beating up on Florida A&M and Ball State while eeking out wins against Cal and Virginia Tech isn't going to be enough.

4. Jalen Milroe - Alabama QB (+1000)

We know that beating Georgia in one of the best college football games in recent memory gets you a fast track to the top of the Heisman Watch list and an immediate spot as the favorite. We also know that following up that win with a loss to Vanderbilt will tank your Heisman odds. Jalen Milroe has been fantastic for Alabama this season, completing 73.4% of his passes while throwing for 1,274 yards and 11 TDs and rushing for nine more TDs and 283 yards. However, the Crimson Tide still ost to Vanderbilt outright in a game they were favored to win by 17.5 points. Bama still has Tennessee, Missouri, LSU and Oklahoma on their schedule. If they can get out of that stretch still having just one loss, then Milroe will have a shot at the Heisman when voting starts. However, a loss there and Bama likely becomes a secondary thought across the country.

5. Dillon Gabriel - Oregon QB (+1600)

Whether or not Dillon Gabriel can win the Heisman and belongs on the Heisman Watch list will be answered this weekend as the Ducks host what is widely regarded as the most talented team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes. To this point, Gabriel has been quite good, throwing for 1,449 yards and 11 TDs. But, I think they're going to get blown out this weekend by Ohio State, which opens the door for a different player to sneak into the top five some Week 8. Right now, I think Quinn Ewers has the best chance, assuming the Longhorns beat Oklahoma this weekend. However, we may see someone like Cade Klubnik, Jaxson Dart or even Nico Iamaleava sneak back into a top-five spot on the latest Heisman odds.