We’re solely a pair weeks into the season, however it’s by no means too early to trace the race for the Heisman Trophy and to take a look at which applications have what it takes to win the Nationwide Championship.
Here is a take a look at the universities and gamers shining the brightest after Week 2 and their intriguing present odds to say school soccer’s most prestigious honors.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas Longhorns (+550)
Ewers has emerged because the betting favourite after a powerful begin to the season, marking the primary time he is been the outright favourite since odds had been posted in February. Because the quarterback of a proficient Longhorns workforce that is a authentic nationwide championship contender, Ewers advantages from the highlight on Texas.
In a high-profile matchup in opposition to No. 10 Michigan on the Massive Home in Ann Arbor, Ewers delivered a standout efficiency, finishing 24 of 36 passes (66.7%) for 246 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. This displaying in an enormous recreation in opposition to a ranked opponent on the street considerably boosts his Heisman credentials. He’ll have further possibilities at signature wins when Texas faces Oklahoma and Georgia in back-to-back weeks, in addition to Texas A&M to shut the season.
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee Volunteers (+1000)
Iamaleava is a extremely touted quarterback with distinctive bodily instruments. In his first begin in opposition to Chattanooga, he set a program file for many passing yards in a half (314), serving to put him within the Heisman dialog. As a dual-threat quarterback, Iamaleava brings effectiveness each via the air and on the bottom. If he continues to enhance and put up sturdy numbers in opposition to SEC competitors, his Heisman case will solely develop stronger.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos (+3500)
Additional down the betting board, Jeanty burst onto the nationwide scene with a exceptional begin to the season. In Week 1 in opposition to Georgia Southern, the 5-foot-9 junior put up staggering numbers: 267 speeding yards on 20 carries, six speeding touchdowns (setting each a college and Mountain West Convention file), and a formidable 13.4 yards per carry common. He adopted this up in Week 2 in opposition to No. 7 Oregon with one other stellar efficiency, speeding for 192 yards on 25 carries and scoring three touchdowns.
Jeanty’s collected 459 speeding yards and 9 touchdowns put him on tempo for probably record-breaking season totals. His performances have garnered nationwide recognition, with Robert Griffin III naming Jeanty his No. 1 Heisman Trophy front-runner after Week 1. He faces important challenges as a Group of 5 participant, nonetheless, because the final G5 Heisman winner was in 1963 (Roger Staubach, Navy).
Nationwide championship picks
After Week 2 of the faculty soccer season, listed below are my prime two groups to win the nationwide championship:
Georgia Bulldogs (+275)
Georgia stays the highest contender, having gained two nationwide titles previously three years. This season, the Bulldogs have but to concede a landing on protection via two video games, and quarterback Carson Beck seems to be in complete management of the offense. Their mixture of elite expertise, teaching and up to date championship pedigree maintain them because the workforce to beat.
Texas Longhorns (+550)
The Longhorns made an enormous assertion with a 31-12 street win over defending nationwide champion Michigan. Quarterback Quinn Ewers impressed, and the Longhorns confirmed they will dominate on either side of the ball in opposition to prime competitors. This win vaults Texas into the highest tier of title contenders. Its recreation in opposition to Georgia subsequent month might be a vital check of its championship readiness.
A protracted shot to think about
Tennessee Volunteers (+2200)
Tennessee has impressed in its first two video games, together with a dominant 51-10 win over NC State in Week 2. ESPN’s FPI provides the Volunteers a 66% probability to make the playoff after Week 2. Tennessee’s offense seems to be potent with Iamaleava at quarterback and a protection that has proven important enchancment.
Whereas the Volunteers face robust video games in opposition to Georgia and Alabama, they’ve a comparatively favorable schedule total. If they will win one or each of these matchups and maintain enterprise of their different video games, they may very nicely discover themselves within the School Soccer Playoff semifinal. Even when they do not win the SEC, a powerful season may see them qualify as one of many at-large groups.
Whereas Tennessee’s +115 odds to make the School Soccer Playoff supply some worth, betting on it because the underdog in opposition to Georgia and Alabama in particular person video games may current higher worth and adaptability. These video games would possible have greater odds (probably +200 or greater).
If Tennessee manages to dominate in back-to-back street video games in opposition to Oklahoma and Arkansas, its odds to make the School Soccer Playoff may shift dramatically. It is necessary to notice, nonetheless, that the Vols have but to be really examined in opposition to top-tier competitors.