The season ended just a little over two weeks ago in spectacular fashion. As the off-season drought kicks in, fans and sportswriters alike crowd at the nearest sign of college football life. Well, thanks to Bovada, we’ve now got that.
The popular sports betting agency has released its new odds for the 2018 Heisman Trophy. Leading the pack is Stanford’s Bryce Love, followed by Wisconsin’s Johnathan Taylor, and Arizona’s Khalil Tate. Of the top-25 candidates, four are SEC quarterbacks: Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, Georgia’s Jake Fromm, and Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald are all being lead by a relatively new candidate, the Tide’s Tua Tagovailoa.
At 10-to-1, Tagovailoa’s odds rank are the fourth-highest overall and the second-highest for a quarterback (Tate 9/1). For a young quarterback that’s played only one truly meaningful half of football, that is praise of the highest possible nature.
Heading into Spring practices, it is a near certainty that Tagovailoa will be given the reins as Alabama’s starting quarterback. Having him on the field changed the Tide’s offense drastically, but in a good way. His passing vision and pocket instincts almost already looked to be at an elite level, and with a lot more reps he could become a very prolific passer. With him behind center, opposing defenses will not be able to clamp down on the run, allowing Mike Locksley’s pack of star running backs to eat away the clock.
A lot of coaching changes are happening right now in Tuscaloosa, but Locksley’s familiar presence will have a calming effect on would mark a third straight year of change. The receiving corps will easily be one of the most talented of any Nick Saban-led squads, and young guys like Alex Leatherwood have already shown the ability to be elite linemen.
All things considered, Tua needs to win the job first. Assuming he does that, the ball will be in his court. Do not expect Saban and Locksley to play as conservatively as they have the last couple of years with a gunslinger behind center.
