Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is tumbling down the Heisman Trophy odds board and it appears to have very little to do with his on-field performance.
McCarthy went from +300 to +800 to win the Heisman at BetMGM in the span of a week.
This past weekend, McCarthy racked up a season-high in passing yards in Michigan's game against Purdue. He threw for 335 yards and it was the first time he threw for more than 300 yards all season.
McCarthy is tumbling down the Heisman odds board because Michigan is involved in a cheating scandal. On Friday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that coach Jim Harbaugh won't be allowed to coach on the sidelines for the rest of the regular season.
Sources: The Big Ten is expected discipline Michigan for the in the in-person scouting and ongoing sign stealing investigation and will prohibit Jim Harbaugh from being on the sideline until the conclusion of the regular season. He will be allowed to coach during the week.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 10, 2023
Harbaugh was already not on the sidelines for the first four games of the season so the punishment will not likely impact McCarthy. But the Heisman is a subjective award, and the reality is some voters will take umbrage with awarding the Heisman Trophy to a player on a team involved in a cheating scandal. There will be several media members — if not dozens — that automatically cross off a Michigan player as a direct result of this alleged scheme, whether the ill will is deserved or not.
Big Ten Conference Announces Violation of Sportsmanship Policy by University of Michigan Football Program https://t.co/Mvrz6M6j48
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) November 10, 2023
Despite this, McCarthy has hung around the race on account of his third-in-the-country rate at completion percentage and No. 2 quarterback rating.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the favorite to win the Heisman at +150 at BetMGM. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix is close behind at +200.
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Heisman Trophy Odds
Odds according to BetMGM as of November 10.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Michael Penix Jr. | +150 |
| Bo Nix | +200 |
| Jordan Travis | +800 |
| J.J. McCarthy | +800 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | +800 |
| Jayden Daniels | +1400 |
| Carson Beck | +1600 |
| Jalen Milroe | +4000 |
| Ollie Gordon II | +4000 |
| Caleb Williams | +5000 |
| Dillon Gabriel | +5000 |
| Drake Maye | +6600 |
| Sam Hartman | +10000 |
| Blake Corum | +12500 |
| Kyle McCord | +15000 |
| Audric Estime | +20000 |
| DJ Uiagalelei | +20000 |
| Jaxson Dart | +20000 |
| Quinshon Judkins | +25000 |
| Shedeur Sanders | +25000 |
| Keon Coleman | +25000 |
| Jack Plummer | +30000 |
| Drew Allar | +50000 |
