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Heisman Odds After Week 13: Mac Jones Closing Gap on Kyle Trask

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Nov 29, 2020 · 9:55 AM PST

Alabama QB Mac Jones throwing a pass
Alabama QB Mac Jones is trending up in the Heisman odds after his performance in the 2020 Iron Bowl. (Photo by Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire)
  • Alabama QB Mac Jones threw five touchdown passes in the 2020 Iron Bowl
  • Jones’ Heisman odds have improved to +150, while Florida’s Kyle Trask is still favored
  • See the updated Heisman Trophy odds after Week 13 along with betting analysis below

Alabama QB Mac Jones is closing the gap on Florida’s Kyle Trask in the 2020 Heisman odds. The Crimson Tide pivot saw his odds improve from +300 to +150 after going off against Auburn in Week 13. Trask (-135) remains favored after a solid outing against Kentucky.

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence saw major improvement in his odds after he decimated Pittsburgh in his return, while Ohio State’s Justin Fields has all but fallen out of the race after having yet another game cancelled.

The table below shows the updated Heisman odds following Week 13 of the season.

2020 Heisman Trophy Odds

Player Odds
Kyle Trask (QB, Florida) -135
Mac Jones (QB, Alabama) +150
Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson) +900
Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State) +1400
Zach Wilson (QB, BYU) +2500
Devonta Smith (WR, Alabama) +4000
Ian Book (QB, Notre Dame) +6000
Breece Hall (RB, Iowa State) +10000
D’Eriq King (QB, Miami) +10000
Spencer Rattler (QB, Oklahoma) +10000

Odds taken Nov. 29 at FanDuel.

Jones Gets Iron Bowl Revenge

After coming up short in the 2019 Iron Bowl, Mac Jones made sure his team came away with a victory this time around. The second-year QB went 18-of-26 passing for 302 yards and five touchdowns to lead Alabama to a commanding 42-13 victory over Auburn in Week 13. Jones saw his Heisman odds improve from +300 to +150 as a result.

The Tide were without head coach Nick Saban, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. It wasn’t a problem for Jones and Alabama, as the team dominated the Tigers in every facet and proved why are ranked first in the nation.

The only problem for Jones’ Heisman bettors is that Week 13 was another monstrous performance for Tide wide receiver Devonta Smith. The senior caught seven receptions for 171 yards, marking the fifth time in six games he’s surpassed the 100-yard mark. Oddsmakers have taken note of Smith’s incredible play, as the WR has seen his Heisman odds improve from +5000 to +4000.

Trask Stays on Top 

Florida’s Kyle Trask remains heavily favored to win the Heisman after delivering a strong performance against Kentucky in Week 13. The senior QB went 21-of-27 passing for 256 yards and three touchdowns as the Gators overcame a slow start to beat the Wildcats 34-10.

Trask’s three touchdowns throws were all to TE Kyle Pitts, who made his return to the lineup after missing the last two weeks due to a concussion. Trask has now thrown a nation-leading 34 TD passes this season, which moves him past 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow for the fourth-most passing TDs in a single season in UF history.

There’s an argument to be made that both Trask and Jones aren’t the most important players in their respective offenses. This has become a QB award, however, and Pitts isn’t even on the board when it comes to the Heisman. Pitts may be Trask’s favorite target, but keep in mind that the Florida QB was outstanding in the previous two weeks without the star TE at his disposal.

Don’t Count Out Trevor Lawrence

It seemed impossible for Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence to win the 2020 Heisman after he tested positive for COVID-19 in late-October and missed two games, including the big clash with Notre Dame. When the Tigers’ QB finally made his return in Week 13, he reminded everyone why you can never count him out.

Lawrence was outstanding against Pittsburgh on Saturday, going 26-of-37 passing for 402 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-17 victory. Clemson is now 8-1 on the season and on pace to make the ACC Championship game, which would give Lawrence a chance to face the Irish.

There’s still a path for Lawrence to win the Heisman, and the odds reflect that. The Clemson star went from +1600 to +900 after decimating the Panthers in his long-awaited return. Lawrence has played fewer game than the two favorites, but he’ll have a compelling case for the trophy if he turns in an incredible performance against Notre Dame.

Heisman Analysis After Week 13

The latest Heisman Trophy odds show a three-horse race entering the final stretch of the regular season. Ohio State’s Justin Fields was part of that group heading in Week 13, but he’s dropped all the way to +1400 after having his game against Illinois cancelled. Fields will only play a maximum of seven games before the award gets voted on, which simply won’t be enough.

Jones and Trask are on a collision course to play in the SEC title game, but the winner of that game might not necessarily win the trophy. Alabama has been so dominant this season that Trask may just need to keep Florida in the game to garner votes. Much like 2019 when Ohio State had Fields, Chase Young and JK Dobbins all getting Heisman votes, Jones is going to have votes stolen away by his star-studded supporting cast.

Lawrence is easily the best value play after Week 13 as he’s still got a huge game on the schedule. While it’s been a numbers game in recent years, the Heisman is technically awarded to the “most outstanding player” in NCAA Football. The Tigers’ only loss this season came when Lawrence was sidelined. If Lawrence leads his team to a revenge win and is outstanding in every other game he plays in, can you really say he isn’t deserving of the trophy?

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