With the 2021 college football season about to kick off, we take a look at some of the best bets to hoist the Heisman Trophy once the dust settles in December. Below, we look at the odds to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy odds, with college football picks, predictions and best bets.
Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler is listed as the slight favorite over Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy, but there are plenty of worthy candidates. A lot will change between now and the end of the regular season. So, who are the best bets?
Also see: 2021 college football team win totals
2022 Heisman Trophy picks
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, Aug. 26 at 1:42 a.m. ET.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma (+600)
Rattler, who is considered the chalk, has been receiving the most preseason heat. The quarterback’s photo is attached to most preseason Heisman hype columns, and rightly so. Head coach Lincoln Riley is a QB guru. He has coached Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts to big paydays in the NFL in recent seasons. Mayfield won the Heisman in 2017 and Murray won the following year.
D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson (+650)
I like Uiagalelei and the system he finds himself in. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s offense is very QB friendly. However, while he has the second-shortest odds of the contenders, I don’t like Uiagalelei nearly as much to win the Heisman. He has just a couple of starts under his belt, and at nearly identical odds, I’d go all-in on Rattler before risking a red cent on Uiagalelei.
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Bryce Young, Alabama (+900)
Head coach Nick Saban’s squad is once again among the favorites to make the College Football Playoff and win all the marbles. However, Young will not have WRs Jaylen Waddle or last season’s Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, who are now in the NFL. I’d like to see more from Young before risking any lettuce on him. ‘Bama has a lot more rebuilding to do this season than usual after losing Waddle, Smith and four other players in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Also see: CFP National Championship odds
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (+1500)
Stroud entered spring practice and camp in Columbus fighting for the starting job, replacing the departed Justin Fields. All indications are that Stroud is the real deal. He has the luxury of downfield threat WR Chris Olave returning to school, and a durable, dependable TE Jeremy Ruckert to work his red-zone magic. The tools are in place for Stroud to hit the ground running and put up huge numbers from the jump.
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Sam Howell, North Carolina (+2000)
The North Carolina Tar Heels are a sleeper in the ACC, and it all starts with Howell. In 11 regular-season games and a bowl loss, Howell tossed up 3,586 yards with 30 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and another 5 rushing scores. If he can cut down the miscues, have more eye-popping days like his 550 yards against Wake Forest last Nov. 14, and perhaps find the end zone a few more times with his feet, he is a legit threat to turn this race upside down. I actually think Howell is the best QB in the ACC with a much better value than Clemson’s Uiagalelei.
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