The race for the most prestigious award in college sports is on.
We’re only one week into the season but we've already seen movement in the Heisman Trophy market among this year’s frontrunners.
So, let’s get started breaking down the contenders according to BetMGM and how they performed to kick off the 2024-2025 NCAA season.
Dillon Gabriel (+650)
Oregon’s quarterback was narrowly favored over Georgia QB Carson Beck entering the season. He was +700 to win the award while Beck was +750. Now, after a strong performance leading the third-ranked Ducks to a 24-10 win over Idaho, he’s expanded his lead while narrowing his odds to +650.
It wasn’t a pretty performance by Oregon, but Gabriel was terrific, completing 41-of-49 passes (83.7%) for 380 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He went 6-for-7 on the Ducks’ opening drive and fired a seven-yard TD strike to Tez Johnson for the team’s first points of the year. He later put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, connecting with Johnson once again on a 12-yard pass on 4th-and-2.
Carson Beck (+750)
Beck’s odds remain the same despite leading top-ranked Georgia to a runaway 34-3 win over No. 14 Clemson.
The clash was considered the weekend’s premiere game but it wasn’t particularly close as the Bulldogs scored 28 second-half points. The defense garnered most of the headlines, limiting the Tigers to just three points and 188 total yards. Still, Beck was solid and did what he had to do, completing 23-of-33 passes (69.7%) for 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Cam Ward (+950)
Miami’s quarterback’s odds shot up significantly from +2000 to +950 with a fantastic performance in the No. 16 Hurricanes’ 41-17 win over Florida.
Ward transferred from Washington State to Miami over the offseason and made an immediate impact, completing 26-of-35 passes (74.3%) for 385 yards, three touchdowns and one pick for a 95.7 QBR. His 385 yards were the most in a debut game in Miami’s storied history while his quarterback rating was fifth-best of any passer this weekend. He also chipped in with three carries for 33 yards.
Jaxson Dart (+1000)
Dart was masterful in a dominant outing …. but his odds only marginally increased from +1200. Perhaps it was the quality of the opponent as No. 6 Ole Miss faced lowly Furman, who it blew out 76-0.
Still, Dart posted an eye-popping line. He was 22-for-27 (81.5%) for a ridiculous 418 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball six times for 27 yards and another score. Oh, and it all came in the first half as he sat the final 30 minutes with the Rebels leading by 52.
Nico Iamaleava (+1000)
The Volunteers’ 19-year-old freshman led No. 15 Tennessee to a dominating 69-3 win over Chattanooga. He completed 22-of-28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns before sitting the entire second half. His 314 first-half passing yards set a new school record.
Iamaleava’s strong game slightly increased his odds from +1200 to +1000
Quinn Ewers (+1200)
Ewers debuted with the second-best odds over the summer behind only Beck. They slowly decreased as the season neared and were tied for third heading into the weekend at +1000. Now, however, he’s tied for sixth-best at +1200.
Ewers dabbled with declaring for last year’s NFL Draft but opted to remain at Texas. He led the No. 4 Longhorns to a 52-0 laugher over Colorado State, completing 22-of-27 passes (74.1) for 260 yards, three touchdowns and a pick.
Jalen Milroe (+1200)
Milroe’s odds also slipped slightly from +1200 to +1000 through no fault of his own in No. 5 Alabama’s 63-0 beatdown of Western Kentucky. He attempted only nine passes and completed seven of them, but he made the most of the opportunities, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. He also showed why he’s one of the most dangerous dual-threats out there, running 10 times for 79 yards and another two touchdowns.
Will Howard (+1400)
Ohio State’s quarterbacks’ odds remained the same in the second-ranked Buckeyes' easy 52-6 win over Akron.
Not much was asked of him against the inferior opponent, but he did what he had to do, completing 17-of-28 attempts (60.7%) for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Travis Hunter (+1500)
No one’s odds skyrocketed more than Hunter, who also has the best odds of any non-quarterback. The two-way player was as high as +5000 at some books to win the Heisman but is now +1500 after Colorado’s 31-26 win over North Dakota State. He played a whopping 129 total snaps between wide receiver and cornerback and certainly made the most of them.
Hunter caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. His second score put the Buffaloes ahead for good while his third in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. Meanwhile, defensively, he had three total tackles while providing blanket coverage.
