A Heisman Trophy race that had dozens of viable contenders at the start of the 2024 college football season is now down to just a handful of hopefuls.
An award that has been dominated in recent years by quarterbacks, who have claimed the hallowed trophy in 12 of the past 14 years, now seems most likely to be won by either a running back or a wide receiver/cornerback, both of whom have few peers in the game’s modern history.
Though it came in a losing effort, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter added to his already spectacular season with a pair of touchdown catches against Kansas. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty surpassed the 2,000-yard mark while keeping his team’s College Football Playoff hopes alive. Miami quarterback Cam Ward remained in the Heisman conversation with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns against Wake Forest.
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Where do things stand when it comes to college football’s most prestigious individual honor?
Here’s a look at the latest Heisman Trophy odds after Week 13 of the college football season:
Heisman Trophy odds
According to odds from BetMGM, it’s basically a three-player race for the Heisman, with Hunter, Jeanty and Ward far ahead of the rest of their FBS peers.
Here’s a breakdown of the current leaders, according to BetMGM’s odds:
1. Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter (-1000)
In a 37-21 loss against Kansas that snapped his team’s four-game win streak, Hunter excelled for Colorado on Saturday. Offensively, he had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns while recording seven tackles and a pass deflection on defense. His output pushed him past the 1,000-yard mark for the season.
Hunter has emerged as the betting favorite in recent weeks — and not just because he has made a habit of striking the Heisman pose after big plays during games. Last week, he was -500 to win the award.
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Offense: 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns; two carries for five yards and a touchdown
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Defense: 30 total tackles, nine pass deflections, three interceptions, one forced fumble
2. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (+750)
The Broncos running back continues to rise up the single-season rushing record book. In a 17-13 win against Wyoming, Jeanty became the 30th player in FBS history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season after he racked up 169 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries despite briefly leaving the game with an injury. His night was highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown run. Jeanty has rushed for at least 125 yards in each of Boise State’s 11 games this season.
Though he remains in Heisman contention, the gap has grown between him and Hunter. Jeanty had +425 odds heading into Week 13.
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Rushing: 275 carries for 2,062 yards and 27 touchdowns
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Receiving: 18 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown
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3. Miami QB Cam Ward (+1200)
Ward remains the third member of the trio, though his odds actually improved following a 42-14 blowout of Wake Forest that wasn’t among his better games this season. He completed 27 of 38 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Washington State transfer also had a one-yard touchdown run.
Heading into the game, Ward has +1400 odds, putting him slightly closer to Jeanty.
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Passing: 268 of 399 passing (67.2%) for 3,774 yards, 34 touchdowns and seven interceptions
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Rushing: 53 rushes for 177 yards and four touchdowns
4. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel (+6600)
Gabriel is a distant fourth, which may ultimately be enough to earn him an invitation to New York for the Heisman presentation ceremony.
His top-ranked Oregon team was idle during Week 13. To this point, he has helped guide the Ducks to an undefeated record, which has allowed them to secure a spot in the Big Ten championship game. They can complete an unbeaten regular season with a win Saturday against Washington.
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Passing: 259 of 351 passing (73.8%) for 3,066 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions
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Rushing: 259 of 351 passing (73.8%) for 3,066 yards with 22 touchdowns to six interceptions
Beyond Gabriel, 10 players are tied for fifth with +500000 odds: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman Trophy odds: Heisman frontrunners after Week 12
