Dillon Gabriel leads value Heisman options
Since our Saturdays can be crammed with school soccer for the subsequent 4 months, let’s take one final peek on the Heisman Trophy market to see if we are able to uncover some worth bets earlier than the chaos begins.
Bryce Younger edged out C.J. Stroud to win the Heisman final season, and each quarterbacks return to the highest of the board for this yr’s sequel. Their positions make sense contemplating Alabama and Ohio State mission to be the highest two groups within the nation, and the award usually falls within the fingers of quarterbacks who’ve very robust statistical seasons on very profitable groups.
Over the previous 12 years, solely DeVonta Smith and Derrick Henry have been capable of pry the Heisman out of the fingers of quarterbacks. And in each circumstances, Smith and Henry have been a part of championship groups at Alabama. So if you’re seeking to take a shot on a participant who is not a quarterback, my recommendation is to ensure he performs for a staff with actual potential to win a nationwide title.
The problem with betting Stroud or Younger is that there is not a lot to realize. Their odds are already quick, and if the season performs out as anticipated, there can be alternatives to wager them in-season at an identical value. Earlier than the season, I favor to take an opportunity at lengthy photographs who might see their odds shorten considerably after a couple of huge video games. So I put collectively three choices who’ve each the flexibility and alternative to disrupt the Heisman race.
Dillon Gabriel (+2000)
Oklahoma produced back-to-back Heisman winners from 2017-2018. Certain, Lincoln Riley is gone however do not anticipate the Sooners’ offense to drop off with Jeff Lebby bringing his up-tempo offense to Norman. As well as, Gabriel will get a coach he beforehand had success with at UCF, however now with weapons like Marvin Mims and Theo Wease to unleash his full potential. Between Lebby’s aggressive play-calling and willingness to dial up huge photographs, Gabriel ought to be capable to compile the statistical profile that retains you within the Heisman dialog. A positive schedule provides the Sooners a shot at a 10- or 11-win season. And in the event that they win sufficient video games, Gabriel can be laborious to disregard.
TreVeyon Henderson (+2000)
The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the season with three robust candidates for the award: Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Henderson. However here is why I feel the Buckeyes’ working again has an opportunity to separate himself from his teammates. Highlights go a good distance with the voters, and Henderson ripped off runs of 40-plus yards six instances final season. Solely two working backs had extra — Breece Corridor and Tyler Badie — however they did so with no less than 70 extra carries than Henderson. Coming off his freshman season, Henderson can be able to tackle an even bigger function in school soccer’s most dynamic offense. Henderson’s big-play capacity on a nationwide stage will get sufficient consideration to make him a menace to take the award.
Malik Cunningham (+6600)
I’m going deep into long-shot territory with this one, however I already bet Louisville to outperform expectations this season. Cunningham is again for his senior yr to comply with up on a season through which he fell simply shy of 4,000 whole yards and 40 touchdowns. He’ll prime these numbers whereas producing one other monster statistical season behind an offense returning most of its starters. It is definitely not going to be his efficiency on the sphere that takes him out of rivalry. It will likely be whether or not Louisville can win sufficient video games to stay related.
At +6600 odds, I feel Cunningham is an opportunity value taking. Louisville’s schedule is back-loaded, with its hardest three video games (Clemson, N.C. State, and Kentucky) falling within the season’s final three weeks. If it could head into that stretch with seven or eight wins, Cunningham could have the chance to impress voters towards Clemson and N.C. State in back-to-back weeks. Even when it is in a shedding effort, I feel a dynamic efficiency towards these defenses might make this wager come to life. That is all you may ask for at 66-to-1.
