2018 Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced: Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray the New Favorite

• Murray has made steady climb on Heisman Trophy odds since opening at a distant +2300 (average)
• Sooners quarterback has emerged as favorite after leading Oklahoma to Big 12 championship
• Subpar performance in SEC championship game has bumped Tagovailoa from top of the odds

Kyler Murray took full advantage of a final opportunity to make his case as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

The Oklahoma quarterback turned in a spectacular performance in the Sooners’ 39-27 win over Texas in last weekend’s Big 12 championship game, tossing for 379 yards and three touchdowns.

He has now moved past principal rival Tua Tagovailoa to take over the top of the Heisman Trophy odds as a heavy -190 favorite.

Odds to win 2018 Heisman Trophy

Murray Leads Sooners to CFP Berth

The 21-year-old, who is expected to attend spring training in 2019 after being selected ninth-overall by the Oakland A’s in this year’s MLB Draft, has made a steady climb up the Heisman Trophy odds since opening the campaign well back of the favorites as an average +2300 bet.

College Sports: Kyler Murray's Heisman moment? Oklahoma pulls away in Big 12 title game with incredible TD | SportsDay https://t.co/5aZPm0Mhnz

— Sooner Football (@SoonerFootball) December 2, 2018

Murray has played a key role in Oklahoma’s march to a College Football Playoff berth by completing 70.9% of his pass attempts for 4,053 yards and 40 touchdowns against just seven picks.

The native of Allen, Texas also scampered for 11 scores this season, and is now poised to become the second straight Sooner to claim Heisman Trophy honors, after Baker Mayfield took home the hardware last year.

Tagovailoa Odds in Decline Since Peaking in Early November

Murray’s meteoric rise on the Heisman odds comes at the expense of Tagovailoa, who now trails as a +150 wager after sitting atop the Heisman odds since early in the season.

Pegged as an average +730 bet in late August, Tagovailoa quickly emerged as a heavy favorite, sporting average odds as short as -750 just last week.

However, a disappointing performance in the Crimson Tide’s 35-28 victory over Georgia in last weekend’s SEC championship game may have dashed the 20-year-old Hawaiian’s Heisman hopes.

Tables Turned on Tua in SEC Championship Game

Hobbled by an ankle injury, Tagovailoa turned in the weakest outing of his collegiate career in the win over the Bulldogs, completing just 10 of 25 passes for a meagre 164 yards and one score, while tossing a pair of picks before leaving the game in favor of backup Jalen Hurts.

That marked an eerie reversal in fortune for Tagovailoa, who led the Crimson Tide to a 26-23 comeback victory over Georgia in last year’s CFP national championship game after replacing Hurts under center.

https://twitter.com/Mediabeast3/status/1069049791496122368

Split Workload with Jalen Hurts has not Helped Tua’s Heisman Chances

The Alabama passer remains an attractive Heisman bet after putting up impressive numbers this season, despite regularly sharing the load with Hurts.

Tagovailoa tallied 3,353 passing yards and 37 touchdowns against just four interceptions, while also adding five scoring runs and 190 rushing yards.

He could attract Heisman Trophy votes from voters seeking to lend their support to a player with a long-term commitment to football.

Tagovailoa produces everything but singular Heisman moment https://t.co/7gQqXK138a pic.twitter.com/dtMbqyau5E

— Billy C Carson (@CoachCarson) December 3, 2018

Further down the Heisman Trophy betting odds, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins trails as a +6000 longshot despite leading the nation with 4,580 passing yards and 47 touchdowns.