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Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon are still the favorites for the 2014 Heisman Trophy, according to Bovada. Mariota leads the bunch with 4/5 odds, followed by Prescott at 3/1 and Gordon at 8/1.
Mariota enjoyed a fine effort vs. Cal last weekend, going 18-of-30 for 326 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in 59-41 road win. Prescott was solid but unspectacular vs. Kentucky, going 18-of-33 for 216 yards, one touchdown and one interception, plus 18 attempts for 88 rushing yards in a 45-31 win. Gordon rushed 22 times for 122 yards and three touchdowns in Wisconsin's 52-7 win over Maryland.
At this point, Gordon seems likely -- assuming health and the continuation of his current numbers -- to receive an invitation to New York as a Heisman finalist. He's still unlikely to win, however; a running back hasn't done so since Mark Ingram in 2008. Plus, while Wisconsin still has a fair shot at the Big Ten West division title, the Badgers' underwhelming season to date hurts Gordon's "best player on the best team" candidacy.
| 2014 Heisman Trophy Odds, per Bovada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Odds on Oct. 21 | Current Odds | |
| Marcus Mariota (QB Oregon) | 3/2 | 4/5 |
| Dak Prescott (QB Mississippi State) | 9/4 | 3/1 |
| Melvin Gordon (RB Wisconsin) | 6/1 | 8/1 |
| Ameer Abdullah (RB Nebraska) | 20/1 | 14/1 |
| Amari Cooper (WR Alabama) | 18/1 | 16/1 |
| Everett Golson (Notre Dame) | 18/1 | 18/1 |
| Trevone Boykin (QB TCU) | Off the Board | 20/1 |
| Nick Marshall (QB Auburn) | 20/1 | 22/1 |
| Jameis Winston (QB Florida State) | 18/1 | 33/1 |
| J.T. Barrett (QB Ohio State) | 20/1 | 40/1 |
| Bryce Petty (QB Baylor) | 33/1 | 50/1 |
| Kevin White (WR West Virginia) | 25/1 | 50/1 |
| Bo Wallace (QB Mississippi) | 20/1 | Off the Board |
| Javorius Allen RB (USC) | 50/1 | Off the Board |
| Rakeem Cato (QB Marshall) | 50/1 | Off the Board |
As for media rankings, third is also a popular spot for Gordon. ESPN.com has him third behind Prescott and Mariota in its latest Heisman Watch with one second-place vote, two for third and four for fourth for a total of 18 points (behind Prescott's 45 and Mariota's 44). CBSSports.com's consensus has Gordon fourth, with one writer picking him second, one having him third, one having him fourth and three leaving him out of their top fives. USA TODAY's Heisman Survey has Gordon fourth, behind Mariota, Prescott and Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah.