In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz also breakdown top NFL games.
There’s a new quarterback in the mix for the Heisman Trophy. And he’s coming in hot.
A month ago, North Carolina redshirt freshman Drake Maye wasn’t even in the conversation. Now, he’s tied for the third-best odds to potentially win the most coveted individual award in all of college football.
Maye is on his way to one of the best freshman seasons for a quarterback in college football history. He’s already set the record for touchdown passes by a freshman through the first nine games of the season. He did that a week ago.
Now, he’s just padding his stats and looking to upend the top-two favorites heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
But those two favorites -- Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker -- aren’t slowing down either. Nor is Michigan running back Blake Corum or USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
FrontPageBets takes another look at the top-five, odds-on players to win the Heisman trophy through Week 11 of the season.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)
Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud (+140)
Stroud continued his march for the Heisman with another impressive weekend on the gridiron, as the second-ranked Buckeyes took care of Indiana, 56-14.
In the win, Stroud, who didn’t even play the whole game, threw for 297 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
On the season, Stroud is tied for first in the country with 34 touchdown passes and has the top quarterback rating in the FBS at 90.9.
Ohio State travels to Maryland on Saturday before their enormous showdown with rival Michigan to end the regular season Nov. 26 in the Horseshoe.
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker (+350)
Trying to keep pace with Stroud, Hooker led the No. 5 Volunteers to a 66-24 drubbing of Missouri this past Saturday.
Hooker thew for 355 yards and three touchdowns and once again didn’t throw an interception for the eighth time this season. Hooker only has two picks on the year, which is tied for fourth-best in the nation. His QBR is right behind Stroud at 90.2.
Tennessee’s final two games are against South Carolina and Vanderbilt. They are more than winnable and should provide Hooker with plenty of chances to juice his stats, which he’ll need to catch Stroud.
UNC QB Drake Maye (+550)
Making his first appearance on the Heisman Watch, Maye is certainly deserving.
The redshirt freshman has helped lead North Carolina to a No. 15 ranking, a 9-1 overall record and a berth in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 3 against Clemson.
In Saturday’s big win over Wake Forest, 36-34, May threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception in any of his 49 pass attempts, while completing 31 of them.
For the season, Maye is tied for first in the country with 34 touchdown passes and is third in passing yards with 3,412. He’s fourth in FBS in QBR with an 88.5 rating.
The Tar Heels finish off the last two weeks of the regular season at home against Georgia Tech and N.C. State, respectively, before facing No. 10 Clemson in the conference title game in Charlotte.
Michigan RB Blake Corum (+550)
The only running back in the top five Heisman hopefuls through 11 weeks, Corum just keeps getting it done for the third-ranked and undefeated Wolverines.
In Saturday’s 34-3 win over Nebraska, Corum rushed for 162 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown, averaging 5.8 yards a carry.
On the season, Corum is tied for second in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17) and is third in rushing yards (1,349).
Michigan will play host to Illinois this Saturday before traveling to Ohio State for their massive season-ending rivalry game.
USC QB Caleb Williams (+1200)
Playing in a rare Friday night game, Williams and the Trojans beat Colorado, 55-17.
Williams didn’t have his flashiest game, throwing for 268 yards and three touchdowns to go with one interception. It was only the fourth game this season that Williams didn’t throw for over 300 yards. But he didn’t need to against the Buffaloes.
Williams’ 31 touchdown passes are tied for third in FBS, while his QBR of 84.9 is sixth.
No. 8 USC travels to UCLA on Saturday before playing host to Notre Dame on Nov. 26 to end the regular season.
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
