How to bet on the Heisman Trophy winner?

Heisman Trophy Betting

When it comes to college football, the Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award available. The trophy honors exceptional talent and also presents an opportunity for sports bettors. Placing bets on the Heisman Trophy allows for another exciting way to place bets on college football. Before placing any bets, read this guide to learn more about the history of the trophy, the basics of betting, and how one can select a Heisman winner. Leading online sportsbooks support Heisman Trophy betting and will provide competitive odds and a variety of futures bets.

🏈Picking a Heisman Winner
🔍Types of Bets to Place
📊Pros and Cons
💡Tips!

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Picking a Heisman Winner

Since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the outstanding college football player in the US. In the past, the award has recognized some of the best athletes to play college football, such as Tim Tebow, Reggie Bush, and Archie Griffin. Selecting the winner of the Heisman Trophy can be a challenge. However, there are some factors that bettors can consider when narrowing down their betting options.

Focus on Running Backs and QBs
- Example: Since 1950, only four non-QB or non-RB players have won the trophy. A recent winner was DeVonta Smith (WR) in 2020, breaking a trend dominated by QBs like Joe Burrow in 2019.
  - Betting Tip: While non-QBs should not be entirely ignored, history favors quarterbacks.
Teams Matter
- Example: In 2021, Bryce Young from powerhouse Alabama won the Heisman. His team’s success in the SEC and their national title contention boosted his visibility.
  - Betting Tip: Focus on players from top conferences like the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC. Small-college players rarely win.
Player Age and Experience
- Example: While seniors traditionally dominated, Johnny Manziel (a freshman) won in 2012. Similarly, Lamar Jackson claimed the trophy as a sophomore in 2016.
  - Betting Tip: Youthful players with standout seasons are increasingly viable candidates.

Types of Bets to Place

Many people believe that futures are the only bets for the Heisman Trophy. While these are the most popular, there are also some other great options. Read on to learn more about the different types of bets that can be placed. These will vary per sportsbook, so make sure to check what bets are offered at different sites.

Futures Bets

These bets are those that are placed well ahead of the event. Most sportsbooks offer lines on the Heisman Trophy starting in August, providing a chance to place early bets. As the award ceremony nears, the odds can change based on how many bets have been placed and what players are attracting bets. Futures bets are the most common option when it comes to betting on the Heisman Trophy.

Example: In August, a sportsbook offers Caleb Williams at +300 odds to win the Heisman. A $100 bet at this point could yield $400 ($300 profit + $100 stake) if he wins.

Conference Winners

There is also a chance to bet on Conference Winners. With this, bettors will wager on a player from a specific conference to win the trophy. Conference winners allow bettors to choose from a group of teams instead of selecting the player that will win the award.

Example: Betting on a Big Ten player to win the Heisman rather than choosing an individual player narrows the field but still provides flexibility.

Top 3 Finish

Another variant of betting is placing a wager on a player that will finish in the top three when the voting for the Heisman Trophy is completed. It is not necessary to predict the winner but to choose a player that will land in the top three positions.

Example: If you predict Michael Penix Jr. will finish in the top three but are unsure he will win, this bet offers a safer option.

Over/Under

Over/Under bets are very popular with most sports, including football. When placing an over/under bet on the Heisman Trophy, one will predict if the player’s final vote count will be above or below the number set by the sportsbook.

Example: A sportsbook sets Bo Nix's final vote total at 2,000. Betting “over” predicts he will exceed this threshold, while betting “under” means he will fall short.

Head-to-Head Bets

A final option for betting on the Heisman Trophy is head-to-head bets. This involves two players and bettors will wager on which of those two players will receive the most votes. Sportsbooks will pair players and the goal is to choose which will outperform the other player in the race to get the most votes for the trophy.

Example: A sportsbook pairs Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy for a head-to-head bet. You wager on which player will receive more Heisman votes.

Pros and Cons of Heisman Trophy Betting

Fans of college football appreciate the many options when it comes to betting. The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious award that a college football athlete can win. While the odds are good and some of the payouts can be huge, there are pros and cons to placing bets. Take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of Heisman Trophy betting before making any decisions to place wagers at online sportsbooks.

Pros:

Enhanced Excitement – Heisman betting provides some added excitement and allows one to bet on the performance of individual players.
High Profit Potential – The odds can result in some great profits. If one is able to correctly pick the Heisman winner early in the season when there are favorable odds, the payouts can be quite large.
More Knowledge – To be a successful bettor on the Heisman Trophy, one will have to develop a deep understanding of college football. By researching stats and comparing players, one will gain knowledge of the sport that can be beneficial when placing other college football bets.

Cons:

Can Be Unpredictable – One of the main challenges with Heisman Trophy betting is the level of unpredictability. It can be very hard to predict the winner of this award.
Limited Window for Betting – Most sportsbooks offer betting well before there is an announced winner. This means that money placed on futures bets can be tied up until the bet settles. It will require a long-term commitment that some will not be willing to enter.
Competitive Field – Numerous players are contending for this award and it can be difficult to choose a single winner from the long list of players.

Tips for Heisman Trophy Betting

Betting on the winner of the Heisman Trophy is one of the most difficult predictions to make. College football teams have many outstanding athletes and it can be a challenge to narrow down the field when placing bets. There are some things that can be done to improve the chances of placing a winning bet. While there are no guarantees that any bet will win, these simple tips can boost the chances of winning and provide a better betting experience.

Extensive Research is Needed

Just like placing any sports bet, there is extensive research required. It is important to take time to analyze player stats as well as performances during key games. Some of the factors to consider include touchdowns, rushing, and passing yards. Be sure to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each player being considered.

Example: Analyze a player's stats like touchdowns and passing yards. For instance, Joe Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns in 2019, making him an obvious front-runner.

Always Consider Teams

The trophy is awarded to an individual player, but this does not mean that the teams should be overlooked. The majority of past Heisman winners have come from teams that have been conference winners. Teams that have strong records often turn out top players, so be sure to consider team records when selecting a possible Heisman winner.

Example: In 2021, Bryce Young’s strong individual performance was complemented by Alabama's dominance in the SEC.

Be Aware of Injuries

Injuries can have a significant impact on winning the trophy. Any sudden injury could eliminate a player from being considered for the award. It is important to watch the overall health of players that are being considered and stay up to date on any injuries sustained. Players who miss games due to injury will see their chances diminish, even if they had a stellar season before the injury.

Example: A midseason injury to Tua Tagovailoa in 2019 dramatically impacted his Heisman odds.

Stay Updated

Heisman Trophy watchlists, expert opinions, and media coverage can all help when choosing a Heisman winner. Sports analysis will provide information and insight into favorites and rising stars. By following this information, one can make informed wagers and track player performance.

Example: Follow expert predictions and watchlists. In 2022, Caleb Williams rose to prominence due to consistent media coverage of his performances.

Watch for Value Bets

Identifying value bets is essential when betting on the trophy. The options often involve favorites that have short odds. It can be beneficial to consider players with longer odds who can offer a surprise. Underdogs that have great performances can provide huge payouts if they are voted the winner.

Example: Betting on an underdog like Jaden Daniels with longer odds at the start of the season can yield significant returns if they rise unexpectedly.

Conclusion

There can be some great value when betting on the Heisman Trophy, but it is also a risky option. Watch for in-season betting options since there is often more value during the season than at the very beginning of the year. Top legal US sportsbooks offer exciting odds and betting options. It is important to know that betting on collegiate awards like the Heisman Trophy is not allowed in all states. Residents of CT, MA, VA, VT, CO, and NY will not legally be able to place wagers on this award.