Burrow boosts Heisman odds with sensational game against Florida

We’ve reached the point in the college football season when all the major broadcast networks can flex their scheduled games to put the top teams on national television. When the top ranked teams play, that also means the top Heisman candidates play. This past Saturday, Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma got the early slot against Texas, Tua Tagovailoa got the afternoon space against Texas A&M and Joe Burrow got the prime-time slot against Florida.

When the day was over, each player had done nothing to eliminate themselves from the race. Only Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, who didn’t make an appearance on a bye week, failed to put up the statistics and highlights that keep him in favoritism with voters. Fields’ odds dropped from +700 to +1200 purely as a result of his absence from the national spotlight.

Odds to win the Heisman Trophy

Hurts adds to his highlight reel

While Tagovailoa threw four touchdowns and set the Alabama all-time passing touchdowns record, his week was overshadowed by big games from Hurts and Burrow. Hurts added to his “Heisman moment” highlight reel with a behind-the-back move to keep a play alive.

Hurts had only 235 passing yards, but he added another 131 on the ground and contributed four touchdowns. It is plainly evident Hurts has taken the leadership role on the team, and both his and Oklahoma’s success has not been fool’s gold. Hurts is the same position as Kyler Murray was last year—not in the lead, but steadily maintaining a stalking position should the leaders in front of him slip up.

Burrow shines against Florida

The star of the week, however, was Burrow. He already had perhaps the game of the year, when he led LSU to victory on the road against Texas in Week 2, but Saturday’s matchup against Florida further cemented the incredible season he is having.

Florida was the toughest defense he has faced, and he excelled in the spotlight. Burrow went 21-for-24 for 293 yards, including a game-sealing 54-yard dime to Ja’Marr Chase that was perfectly thrown. Burrow’s leads the nation in efficiency rating this season, as his accuracy and weapons on the outside have made the LSU offense a completely different unit than anyone has ever seen in Baton Rouge. At +275 to win the Heisman, Burrow is now at the lowest odds he’s been all season.

Keep an eye on Fields and Taylor

Unfortunately for all of the top contenders, this week doesn’t present the opportunity to truly shine and make a major change in the odds.

Tagovailoa, Burrow and Hurts are all playing far inferior opponents and could get pulled from their games early. This should open up the door for Fields and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor to climb back into the race. Week 8 will be a “keeping the pace” week in the middle of the race, before each player revs things up for the final leg of the season.

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