2021 Heisman Trophy Power Rankings & Odds: Matt Corral Is the New Favorite

2021 Heisman Trophy Power Rankings & Odds: Matt Corral Is the New Favorite article feature image
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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Pictured: Matt Corral

The race for the Heisman Trophy is still in the early stages, but there are some good prices out there on players have gotten off to head-turning starts. So while it is still September, now is a great opportunity to take advantage of some decent odds before they begin to drop as the season progresses.

Let's jump into five players worth a look in the Heisman market as we head into Week 4:

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AZ, CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA
PlayerTeamOdds (WynnBET)
Matt CorralOle Miss+180
Bryce YoungAlabama+200
Spencer RattlerOklahoma+1000
Desmond RidderCincinnati+3000
JT DanielsGeorgia+3000
CJ StroudOhio State+4000
Bijan RobinsonTexas+5000
Malik WillisLiberty+5000
Cade McNamaraMichigan+6000
DJ UiagaleleiClemson+6000
Tank BigsbyAuburn+8000
Sam HowellUNC+8000
Sean CliffordPenn State+8000

5. Michigan RB Blake Corum

The state of Michigan currently has two of the top running backs in the country. And wouldn't you know, both of them are making an appearance on the Heisman Power Ranking list this week.

Michigan is rolling right now. And while the B1G season has yet to begin, it looks like this might be the best opportunity for Michigan to beat their most hated rivals, Ohio State, for the first time since 2011. If Michigan were to become real threats, it would be because of running back Blake Corum.

Corum's 407 rushing yards rank third in the nation, he's racking up 8.5 yards per carry and has already scored seven touchdowns. Again, it's early and Michigan has a lot to prove, but a strong performance against a rising Rutgers team and Corum is not listed on the board at WynnBet yet, but can be found in the 75/1 range at other sportsbooks like DraftKings right now.

4. SMU QB Tanner Mordecai 

Next up on the power rankings is an absolute longshot, but let's give some shine to Tanner Mordecai. It is very unlikely that Mordecai ends up in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, but a small wager on him right now makes sense.

You may have to do some legwork to find odds on Mordecai as he's not listed on WynnBet, but he's absolutely balled out the first three weeks of the season. He currently leads the country in passing touchdowns with 16, has thrown just two interceptions and is sitting at 341.0 passing yards per game.

The Mustangs are 3–0 this season and if they were to run through the American Athletic Conference, you would look like the smartest person in the room by holding this futures ticket.

3. Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III 

If there was a running back to put a Heisman future on through Week 3, it would be Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III.

Sparty’s big road victory against Miami came in large part due to the legs of Walker, who ran for 172 yards on 27 carries (6.4 yards per carry). Walker also found the endzone through the air, giving him six touchdowns on the season. It is the second massive rushing output game of the year for Walker, who now sits at 494 yards through his three games, the most in the nation.

The stinker against Youngstown State looks to be an anomaly and moving forward I have no reason to believe Walker III won’t continue putting up impressive stat lines like the one this weekend. 

Walker's name is starting to move up the odds around the market and he can be found at 50/1 at DraftKings right now.

college football-betting-odds-picks-heisman trophy-bryce young-cj stroud-kenneth walker iii-matt corral-bo nix-week 2
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Pictured: Bryce Young.

2. Alabama QB Bryce Young

I don’t think Bryce Young necessarily hurt his Heisman stock in Alabama’s 31–29 victory over Florida in The Swamp, but I do not believe he did a whole lot to separate himself from the pack, either.

With 240 yards passing and three touchdowns, Young’s Week 3 stat line is a pretty sight. That said, I have come to the conclusion that Young will do just about anything before he will tuck his head and take off for yards. On the goal line, Young had a walk-in score that he passed up on and threw an incompletion instead. The difference between Young and the competition may come down to how often he will use his legs.

Young currently sits at +200 at WynnBet and while that feels pretty safe, there definitely is reason to be cautious moving forward.

1. Ole Miss QB Matt Corral

There's a new Heisman Trophy favorite in town.

Matt Corral has been phenomenal through the first three weeks of the season and is coming off of a monster performance against Tulane.

Corral became the first player in NCAA history with three passing and four rushing touchdowns in the same game. That type of stat line is rare, but the previous two weeks have supported the idea that it was not a one-off fluke performance. Corral now has 14 total touchdowns through three games and is averaging 385 total yards per game.

Lane Kiffin never likes to take his foot off the pedal as a play caller, so there will be ample opportunities for Corral to separate himself from the pack.

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About the Author
CJ Vogel is a contributor at The Action Network and recruiting analyst at The Football Brainiacs. He specializes in college football with roots stemming from the Big 12 conference.

Follow CJ Vogel @CJVogel_TFB on Twitter/X.

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