We’re only months away from the end of another NCAA football season and things are already heating up in the race for this year’s Heisman Trophy. Last season, Jameis Winston ran away with the title as he became the first freshman to win the award as he led Florida State to a perfect season and the national championship.
This year, though, a slew of other contenders are ready to take his crown. Read on below for the candidates who are in the running for college football’s biggest individual prize and while you’re at it you can check out the best games to watch in Week 12 of the NCAA football season here.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Heisman Trophy Betting Preview and Prediction
Favorite – Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
Even before the season started, huge expectations were placed on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Why not? In his sophomore year, he became the first Oregon player to surpass 4,000 yards in a single season when he recorded an incredible 4,380 yards in total offense last season. His play was so good that rumors were swirling that he may join the NFL draft last May.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Fortunately for Ducks fans, Mariota decided to stay with Oregon for one more season. And boy has his decision paid off. Through 10 games this season, he is 11th among starting quarterbacks in the FBS in the total offense department with a solid 330.4 clip. It is his improvement with his passing that has made him stand out as the likely winner of the Heisman Trophy this year.
Last season, he completed 245 of 386 passes for 3,665 yards and 31 touchdowns. Through 10 games this season, he has already thrown for 2,780 yards with an impressive 29 touchdowns which is the second-best mark in the entire FBS. His scoring exploits have helped Oregon storm into the second spot of the College Football Playoff rankings.
With Oregon’s remaining games all against teams with losing records (Colorado and Oregon State), it’s highly likely that the 21-year-old would pad his numbers even more before the playoffs start. With that being said, the Heisman Trophy is Mariota’s to lose and he is an overwhelming favorite at -600 to lift the crown in New York.
Underdog – Trevone Boykin (TCU)
The biggest surprise in this year’s NCAA football tournament so far has been TCU whose magical run this season has helped them barge into the top four of the College Football Rankings. The Horned Frogs’ success lies with their offense which is third in the FBS in scoring (47.2 PPG) and total yards (550.3 YPG).
The one who makes all of this possible is none other than their quarterback Trevone Boykin (+1,500). He has been a revelation for the Horned Frogs this season, averaging 359.7 yards in total offense this year, the fourth-best mark among starting quarterbacks in the FBS.
Boykin announced his candidacy for the Heisman trophy this year with a statement game against Texas Tech last October 25 where he led the Horned Frogs to a stunning 82-27 win. In only three quarters of work, Boykin completed 22 of 39 passes for 433 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns while also rushing for another 28 yards on the ground on seven carries.
His chances of lifting the Heisman Trophy hinge on whether he can record huge performances in their remaining games against Kansas, Texas and Iowa State. The chances of him doing so are pretty good considering that those three teams have losing records this season.
The one thing, though, that can jeopardize his chance of winning the big prize is the unwillingness of TCU to spend some money for his Heisman bid. According to a report by Marc Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Horned Frogs will not campaign for Boykin the same way they did for Ladainian Tomlimson back in 2000 where TCU spent a total of $100,000 to promote him.
Longshot – Jameis Winston (Florida State)
Florida State’s bid to repeat as NCAA champions may remain in perfect shape but the same can’t be said about Jameis Winston’s chances of becoming a two-time Heisman Trophy winner after a series of questionable off-the-field incidents have left his campaign in limbo.
His code of conduct disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for December 1 regarding his sexual assault case two years ago although some are questioning why it has taken Florida State this long to act on it. This follows his suspension earlier this year for shouting an obscene statement on campus and allegations that he signed autographs in exchange for money.
With that being said, Winston is still in the hunt for back-to-back Heisman trophy wins because of Florida State’s penchant for winning. Their winning streak now runs at 25 games with their last loss coming against Florida back in November 2012.
Last season, Winston was simply untouchable as he threw for 4,057 yards and a school-record 40 touchdowns while completing 66.9 percent of his passes. This year, he has completed 196 of 294 passes for 2,540 yards which is only good for 22nd among starting quarterbacks.
He has also thrown 11 interceptions this season, one more than the total he threw in his Heisman Trophy-winning season last year. With signs of regression on his part and his off-the-field antics, Winston is a long-shot at +3,000 to win the Heisman this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Mariota (-600) brings home the bacon this time around. Create a betting account now and take your pick on you think will win the Heisman Trophy this December.
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