As a new favorite emerges, which Heisman Trophy contenders should you watch out for in Week 10? What are the latest Heisman odds, and how have the favorites been impacted by the ups and downs and highs and lows that surrounded Week 9 of the college football season?
Heisman Trophy Odds Heading Into Week 10 of College Football
Like the Tennessee team that he leads, there has been an increasing sense of inevitability surrounding Hendon Hooker in recent weeks. Boosted by the emergence of wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee has felt unbeatable as they continue unabated and undefeated in their bid to deliver a national championship to Knoxville for the first time since 1998.
As the Volunteers ascend to the pinnacle of college football, their quarterback has come to epitomize what it means to be a Heisman Trophy winner. Outstanding play on the football field matched by perseverance, hard work, and diligence is the mantra, and Hooker continues to match that word for word. For the first time this season, his Heisman Trophy odds reflect that.
MORE: Week 9 College Football Team of the Week
Tennessee’s clash with Kentucky had been billed as the showdown of potential QB3 contenders in the 2023 NFL Draft. In reality, Will Levis‘ Wildcats never came too close to challenging the unstoppable Tennessee train.
Kentucky’s highly-rated quarterback could only watch from the sidelines as a rampant Hooker padded the latter’s Heisman Trophy résumé with 245 passing yards, three touchdown strikes, and a rushing touchdown that showcased his true dual-threat ability under center.
Following his commanding performance in a 44-6 whipping of the Wildcats, DraftKings Sportsbook slashed Hooker’s Heisman Trophy odds to -110, making him the odds-on favorite. As preseason frontrunners C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young have their struggles, the Tennessee quarterback is truly the Heisman Trophy contender to watch every week as the Volunteers march towards a date with destiny.
Dominant Drake Maye Enters the Heisman Trophy Watch
While Hooker looks to end his college career on a high as a Heisman Trophy winner, college football fans can revel in the fact that they’re still going to have at least another year to watch North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye dazzle on Saturdays. The second-year quarterback has been electric and entertaining, but against the Pittsburgh Panthers, he added dominance to enter the Heisman Trophy watch.
While Pitt hasn’t been the same force that carried them to an ACC title with Kenny Pickett, they still possess a defense teeming with dominant playmakers. Maye conjured and carved up that unit to the tune of 388 passing yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, the creative quarterback crushed the Panthers with a team-high 61 rushing yards in the 42-24 win.
Maye earned Pro Football Network Quarterback of the Week honors for his performance against Pitt, but his Heisman Trophy résumé is a season-long body of exceptional work. The five-touchdown showing was his fifth in eight games this year, tying an ACC record. With four games left to play, it would be foolish to think that the young Tar Heels talent won’t be the sole holder by the end of the season.
Maye had flown under the radar in the Heisman Trophy odds race up until Week 9. However, his odds of +2500 from DraftKings Sportsbook puts him firmly among the favorites as we head into the critical part of the season. A high-profile clash with Wake Forest looms on the horizon, giving Maye further opportunity to dazzle and hone his Heisman Trophy candidacy.
An Illinois Running Back Chasing Heisman Trophy Greatness
While Michigan rusher Blake Corum remains DraftKings Sportsbook’s top non-quarterback contender for the Heisman Trophy with odds of +1500, another Big Ten running back has finally entered the conversation.
Illinois playmaker Chase Brown has been a dominant force for a resurgent Fighting Illini program, and this week gets the respect he deserves as one of the favorites for college football’s greatest individual prize.
Would you like us to define dominance? Well, Brown leads the nation with 1,208 rushing yards following Week 9. He’s second in the nation in average yards per game, trailing UAB’s DeWayne McBride but comfortably ahead of UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet. The Illinois star also leads the nation with 36 attempts where he’s carried the ball for more than 10 yards.
A complete offensive weapon, Brown also leads the nation in total scrimmage yards, over 100 yards clear of his nearest rival. The Illinois standout added another 100+ rushing day to his résumé in a comfortable 26-9 win over Nebraska while tacking on rushing and receiving touchdowns. DraftKings slashed his Heisman Trophy odds to +4000 following another outstanding display of dominant running.
What To Watch for in Week 10 of the College Football Season
While our college football senses are tingling for the return of midweek MACtion, there is one game that is a must-watch in Week 10 as it pertains to the Heisman Trophy, the SEC, and even the potential winner of the college football national championship.
Having despatched Young and Alabama, and having curb-stomped Levis and Kentucky, it might seem outrageous to suggest this, but Saturday’s Tennessee at Georgia matchup is the ultimate test of Hooker’s Heisman Trophy credentials. The Bulldogs have imperiously marched through their schedule to date, and with minimal fanfare or fuss.
If Hooker can overcome one of the top defenses in the nation and secure Tennessee’s status as a true national title contender, then his candidacy for the Heisman Trophy could be complete. Other players to watch with Heisman Trophy odds from DraftKings include Tennessee WR Hyatt (+3000), Georgia QB Stetson Bennett (+6000), and the nation’s top tight end, Brock Bowers (+15000).
Ascending Heisman Trophy contender Bo Nix (+2500) has the opportunity to fill the stat sheet as Oregon travels to Folsom Field to take on a Colorado team that has allowed 39.1 points per game.
Meanwhile, one of just three all-ranked games sees Alabama face LSU in Death Valley. Will Anderson Jr. is the only defensive player with Heisman Trophy odds from DraftKings (+15000) and will be tasked with stopping a Tigers team led by a reenergized Jayden Daniels.
Daniels has Heisman Trophy odds of +15000 following impressive showings against Florida and Ole Miss. The former Arizona State QB tallied 11 total touchdowns across those two games alone.
Current Heisman Trophy Odds
- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee -110
- C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State +190
- Blake Corum, RB, Michigan +1500
- Caleb Williams, QB, USC +1500
- Bo Nix, QB, Oregon +2500
- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina +2500
- Max Duggan, QB, TCU +3000
- Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee +3000
- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama +3000
- Chase Brown, RB, Illinois +4000