Now that almost everyone has some game tape, Heisman Trophy futures are on the move.
Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is the biggest mover after his season debut, but several other players have forced sportsbooks to shift their odds.
Here are some of the biggest shifts in Heisman Trophy odds using data on tickets and handles from multiple major college football sportsbooks.
Hunter dominant in opener, moves to +1500
Hunter is a rare two-way talent with major star appeal in a power conference. The Colorado senior debuted with seven catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns while playing lockdown defense at cornerback throughout most of a 31-26 win over North Dakota State.
That performance shifted the early Heisman market, with BetMGM Sportsbook moving Hunter’s odds to win the trophy from +3500 to +1500 by Labor Day. DraftKings is reporting 8% of tickets and 8% of early handle has been placed on Hunter, with his odds holding at +2500 at that book. FanDuel reported an even bigger shift in Hunter’s odds, from +6000 to +2500 after the game, as the senior generated the highest amount of tickets and handle at the site.
“Hunter is unique in that he plays both sides of the ball,” said a representative for BetMGM. “Colorado is also a team that attracts a lot of attention from bettors. Last week, 3.4% of bets were on Hunter to win the Heisman. After Colorado’s first game, 7.9% of bets were on Hunter. An outstanding performance and increased betting moved his odds.”
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel remains the favorite after completing 41 of 49 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns in his season debut. Gabriel has moved from +800 to +650 at BetMGM, and the site reports the highest percentage of Heisman betting handle (13.4%) on the Oregon quarterback.
Dart, Iamaleava also big movers after wins
Some other big movers after Week 1 of NCAA football action are Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Dart has moved from +2000 to +1000 at MGM and is at +850 at DraftKings, where 8% of tickets and 7% of handle are on the senior.
Iamaleava, a freshman quarterback, is taking the most action on BetMGM and DraftKings. The 6-foot-6 passer from Long Beach, California, followed up a stellar finale in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa last winter with 314 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of a blowout of Chattanooga.
With Iamaleava’s odds improving to +1200, DraftKings is reporting 11% of handle and 9% of tickets on the big quarterback, and BetMGM reports the most tickets (10.7%) and second-highest handle (11.5%) have come in on Iamaleava.
