Heisman Trophy odds updated ahead of Week 3 of college football

Through Week 2 of the college football season, there have been some big performances as some players try to improve their Heisman Trophy stock. While the favorite remains the favorite, one player took a huge leap after leading his team to a shocking upset.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is still the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, according to Caesars Sportsbook. But the biggest jump came from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers after last week’s win over Alabama. He’s now +800 to win the award after sitting at +2000 following Week 1. That puts him just behind Williams as the second-favorite two games into the season.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders also moved up to +1000 this week after tying with Ewers at +2000 a week ago. Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman also went from +1800 to +900. It’s clear the race is starting to take shape entering Week 3.

QB Caleb Williams, USC — +375

Caleb Williams looks like he’s in prime position to compete for the Heisman once again following another big game. He totaled 281 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown to help USC to a 56-10 victory over Stanford.

Williams only played in the first half of that game, meaning he continues to play at a high level after winning the Heisman a year ago. USC has a bye week in Week 3 before a Week 4 game against Arizona State on Sept. 23.

QB Quinn Ewers, Texas — +800

Quinn Ewers and Texas became the talk of college football this week after a huge upset over Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Longhorns to the victory and into the top four of the AP Top 25 this week.

That performance on such a big stage helped Ewers’ Heisman Trophy odds soar. He’s not only generating NFL Draft buzz as a result, but now looking like someone who could be in New York at season’s end.

QB Jordan Travis, Florida State — +800

Jordan Travis put together a big performance for Florida State in the opener against LSU and only played in the first half of the Seminoles’ blowout win over Southern Miss in Week 2. In that time, he completed 15 of 29 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns as FSU cruised to the 66-13 victory.

Travis’ odds shifted, though, going from +600 after Week 1 to +800 after Week 2. But he’s still very much in the mix for the Heisman entering a conference game against Boston College in Week 3.

QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame — +900

After sitting at +1800 a week ago, Sam Hartman saw his Heisman Trophy odds increase into the top four following Notre Dame’s victory over NC State. He was a key part of things once again, completing 15 of 24 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns to help the Fighting Irish get the 45-24 win following a lengthy weather delay.

Hartman looked the part through the first two games against Navy and Tennessee State, but last week’s game was his first against an A5 opponent. He continued to impress, and will try to build on it this week against Central Michigan.

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington — +1000

Michael Penix Jr. continues to find himself in the Heisman mix after Washington’s Week 2 win over Tulsa. He put up monster numbers, throwing for 409 yards and three touchdowns en route to the 43-10 victory.

Penix was a Heisman finalist last year and could find himself in the conversation again this time around. Next up is a key A5 matchup against Michigan State in East Lansing — a return to the Big Ten for the former Indiana star.

QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado — +1000

Shedeur Sanders was another player whose Heisman Trophy odds took a leap after Week 2. The Colorado quarterback was a huge part of the Buffaloes’ victory over Nebraska, throwing for 393 yards and two touchdowns in the effort.

Sanders put up record-setting numbers in Week 1 and continued to impress in Week 2. He’s also generating NFL Draft hype heading into a matchup with Colorado State on Saturday.

QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan — +1400

J.J. McCarthy saw his odds get better after Michigan’s victory over UNLV last week. He remained efficient, completing 22 of 25 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wolverines to the 35-7 win.

McCarthy still hasn’t thrown an interception through two games as he leads the Michigan offense in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. He’ll try to keep his name in the Heisman mix this week against Bowling Green — the last game of Harbaugh’s suspension.

WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado +1500

Travis Hunter, the Colorado two-way sensation, is still taking college football by storm through two games. He had three receptions for 73 yards on offense against Nebraska while adding four tackles on defense.

Hunter’s impressive start to the season garnered him Heisman hype right away, and that will likely continue as things go on. His snap count will be something to watch, though, entering Week 3 against Colorado State.

Other Heisman Trophy contenders ahead of Week 3

QB Drew Allar, Penn State — +2200
QB Bo Nix, Oregon — +2200
QB Tyler Van Dyke, Miami — +2200
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma — +2800
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State — +2800
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina — +2800
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU — +3000
QB Kyle McCord, Ohio State — +3000
QB Joe Milton, Tennessee — +3000
QB Carson Beck, Georgia — +4000
RB Blake Corum, Michigan — +4000
RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame — +4000
QB DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State — +4000

There’s still plenty of football left, but it’s clear some players already have strong Heisman cases. It’s mostly quarterbacks so far, but other position players are starting to sneak their names into the mix. The Week 3 slate of games will be intriguing, but all eyes are on a huge Week 4 next week as conference play picks up around the country.