Admit it, you have been counting down the days on your calendar until college football kicks off. It’s ok, no need to explain, because I’m right there with you. Nothing screams College Football Saturday like a cold beer, tailgate food and a madhouse stadium of football fans.
The most fun I have leading up to the season is seeing who will take home the most coveted college football award. The crème de la crème. The 2021 Heisman Trophy. Previous experience, returning starters and a new coaching staff are a few factors that can determine who takes it home. It seems daunting at first to analyze who has the best bet to win it, but fear not my friend. I’m here to show you some reasons why I think the following athletes have the best chance to take home the gold.
2021 Heisman Odds: Leading The Pack
Spencer Rattler- QB Oklahoma Sooners (+550 per William Hill)
This should come as absolutely no surprise as Rattler is the odds on favorite to take home the award. Following Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, Rattler carried the Sooners to a 9-2 record in 2020. He led the team with 28 TD’s, over 3000 pass yards and a 67.5 completion percentage. The Lincoln Riley led offense returns 3 of their starting offensive lineman, top WR in Marvin Mims, TE Austin Stogner and a pair of RB’s in Seth McGowan and Marcus Major. Rattler’s Heisman campaign starts September 4, as the Sooners will travel to Tulane to take on the Green Wave. Your money is about as safe as it can be for a futures bet with Rattler, given his tools and the tools around him.
DJ Uiagaleilei- QB Clemson Tigers (+700 per William Hill)
The Sophomore starter went 1-1 in 2020 as he threw for 66.7% and 5 TD’s. D.J. was apart of an absolute thriller as Clemson lost in double overtime to Notre Dame 47-40. The signal caller gets his chance to be the next star QB Clemson produces, as he follows 2 of the most successful college QB’s of all time in Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence.
DJ is getting plenty of help back with 4 returning offensive lineman, RB Lyn-J Dixon and 2 WR’s in Justyn Ross and EJ Williams. Ross had to miss all of 2020 due to shoulder surgery, but is on track to play week 1. EJ is a Heisman contender in his own right and plans to show he’s the next great receiver in Clemson. The defense will not miss a beat either, as they are returning all but 1 of their starters.
The 2021 Heisman candidate will get his toughest test of the season early on when they face Georgia September 4. If he leads them to victory, he will set the tone being cemented as the Heisman favorite throughout the season. At +700, I think their is value for a pure passer with something to prove on a championship caliber team.
2021 Heisman Odds: In The Hunt
Sam Howell- QB North Carolina (+1500 per William Hill)
If you want a stat-stuffer, look no further than the 2020 Maxwell Award semi-finalist, Sam Howell. The NC native has 68 TD’s in 2 seasons for the Heels, tied for 1st all time in the program. They will have some struggles early on as they will be filling holes at both skill positions on offense. The major departures are Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown. With the playmaking skills of Howell, expect a slow start but a dynamic offense that will put up monster points.
They will have no slouch of an opponent to start off their season, taking on Virginia Tech September 3. I believe Howell will be shaky the first few games, but will find his stride with the team and make a late run for his Heisman campaign. At this price, it may be best to wait and see if his odds drop a bit more, but he has the talent to make incredible things happen.
Kedon Slovis- QB USC (+2200 per William Hill, +2500 per BetMGM)
You want a dark horse candidate to take home the award? Look no further than one of my favorite candidates in Junior Kedon Slovis. The 2nd year starter passed for 17 TD’s, 7 INT’s, and 67.1% in a pandemic shortened 2020. He is passing for over 70% in his career along with 50 TD’s and almost 5500 pass yards.
Even more impressive then the individual statistics, the Trojans are returning a massive load. Four of their offensive lineman, dynamic playmaker Drake London and both starting running backs in Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr. As if the offensive side wasn’t impressive enough, USC’s defense is returning 18 of their top 21 tacklers from 2020. Widely considered Clay Helton’s best team since his arrival, expect a potential CFP run. Avoiding matchups against Washington and Oregon in the regular season and facing rival Utah in The Coliseum, consider Kedon Slovis an under the radar pick to take home the Heisman with very attractive odds ranging upwards to +2500. USC begins their season Sept. 4 at home against defending Mountain West Champion San Jose State.
My Bet From The Bayou
D’Eriq King- QB Miami (+1800 per William Hill, +2000 per BetMGM)
Yes, you heard me right. A King will take his rightful throne as the next Heisman Trophy winner. The redshirt senior started 11 games for Miami last season and led his team to an 8-2 regular season record. King compiled 23 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 2686 pass yards, along with 538 rush yards and another 4 TD’s in 2020. Miami is only losing TE Brevin Jordan on offense and is returning the most experienced offensive line in NCAA history with a combined total of 190 starts.
Even better, Miami is returning 19 starters and 95% of their offensive production, along with 86% of their defensive production. Defensive End is Miami’s biggest question mark, as they will have to find out who will fill in the 12.5 sacks produced by Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche. Third year coach Manny Diaz should have no trouble filling the void with a 12th ranked recruiting class coming in. King tore his ACL in the bowl loss to Oklahoma State, but has reportedly crushed his rehab and will be ready Week 1. Miami will have their biggest test of the season right away, as they take on Alabama September 4. With a veteran laden team and a Heisman frontrunner under center, I see an upset alert on the horizon.
Another note to keep in your back packet and why I am so high on this player: this is the first time in his collegiate career that he will be playing in the same offensive system for 2 years straight under offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. With a bevy of returning starters and playmakers surrounding him, expect King to come out with a statement game against Alabama and plant his flag as the next QB to be a Heisman Trophy winner. A player of his caliber along with a seasoned supporting cast, this value is just too good to pass up.
2021 Heisman Odds: Honorable Mentions
Desmond Ritter- QB Cincinnati (+4000 BetMGM)
Hardly a long shot, the Senior signal caller led the Bearcats to a 9-1 season and an 8th place ranking in the final NCAA standings in 2020. Ritter is 2nd in program history in pass yards (6905) and pass TD’s (57). Cincy returns 16 starters on their roster, which should help them contend for a shot in the College Football Playoff. The veteran quarterback should have another strong finish, and with some luck, could make his way into the 2021 Heisman conversation. I see some potential to cash in if the stars can align.
Derek Stingley Jr. – Defensive Back LSU (+7000 per William Hill)
There is just something about the Number 7 in the storied history of LSU Football, especially among the secondary. Following in the footsteps of previous LSU greats to don the coveted #7 like Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Leonard Fournette, the 3rd year starting Junior wants nothing more then to write the wrong that was 2020 for the Fighting Tigers.
The first True Freshman in LSU history to start every game of the season, Stingley picked off 6 passes in 15 games to help lead the Tigers to one of the greatest championship runs we have ever seen. If LSU can get the defense back on track and steady QB play on offense, expect Stingley to be one of the biggest factors on the team and make a run at becoming the first DB to take home the trophy since Charles Woodson. Might be worth a sprinkle if you’re feeling lucky at these odds.
The odds in this article were provided by BetMGM
Be sure to check out StudentUnionSports.com for all the latest updates on the 2021 college football season.
