It was a Monday for odds makers in Las Vegas to crunch numbers when it comes to college football, as the favorites to win both the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy were revealed.
Per a tweet from ESPN’s College Football insider Brett McMurphy, the University of Alabama holds the highest odds in repeating as national champs at 9/5 — via Las Vegas Super Book.
While that piece of information should not come off as a shock, “sin city’s” opinion on who has the best chances of winning the coveted bronze award at quarterback will. Despite the returns of some elite signal callers – including Jake Fromm, Jake Browning, Jarret Stidham, Trace McSorely and Will Grier – it’s Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa with the best Heisman odds.
Heisman odds via @LVSuperBook:
Love, Stanford 6/1
Taylor, Wisconsin; Tua, Bama 8/1
Fromm, UGA; Herbert, Oregon; McSorley, PennSt; Tate, Arizona 15/1
Harris, Bama 18/1
Browning, Washington; Grier, WVU; Murray, OU; Patterson, Mich; Dobbins, OhioSt; Stidham, Auburn; Swift, UGA 20/1— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 2, 2018
Based on what he did in limited action in 2017, the rising sophomore stands at an 8 to 1 odds at winning – making second overall and first among quarterbacks. A native Hawaiian, the five-star from the Crimson Tide’s 2017 signing class totaled 636 passing yards with 11 touchdowns to two interceptions through nine games.
He replaced Jalen Hurts in the second half of the CFP national championship matchup versus Georgia and delivered a most valuable player performance.
Tagovailoa completed 14 of 24 attempts, including three for touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta – giving head coach Nick Saban his fifth title and the program’s 17th in its illustrious history.
He still has the daunting task of fending off Hurts, who returns as a two-year starter, but most anticipate the passing protégé to winning the job.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
