Heisman Odds After Week 15: Mac Jones Takes Commanding Lead

• Mac Jones has taken a commanding lead on Kyle Trask in the Heisman Trophy odds
• Trask threw two interceptions and had a fumble in Florida’s upset loss to LSU
• See the updated Heisman Trophy odds after Week 15 along with betting analysis below

Despite not throwing a single touchdown pass in a blowout victory over Arkansas, Alabama QB Mac Jones is now a heavy -200 favorite to win the 2020 Heisman trophy after Week 15.

Jones has taken a commanding lead on Florida’s Kyle Trask after the Gators’ QB committed three turnovers in a shocking upset loss to LSU. Trask’s odds have plummeted to +330.

With Jones and Trask set for a massive showdown in the SEC title game on Dec. 19 in Atlanta, what’s the best way to wager on the Heisman odds?

2020 Heisman Trophy Odds

Odds as of Dec. 13 at FanDuel

Jones Takes Commanding Lead

Alabama’s Mac Jones has seen his Heisman odds improve from -135 to -200 despite not playing a major role in the Tide’s 52-3 blowout win over Arkansas in Week 15. Jones went 24-of-29 for 208 yards without a TD or interception. Alabama opted to run the ball inside the red zone and racked up five rushing touchdowns against the Razorbacks.

🔥🐘 @alabamaftbl became the 10th team all time to score 40+ points in 9 straight games!

Catch all 7 of their TDs vs Arkansas ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bNW3DB4ESC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 12, 2020

While Jones didn’t need to put the team on his back against an inferior opponent, his odds increasing has more to do with what happened around him and what’s on the horizon. Gators’ Trask suffered his second loss of the season on the weekend as he couldn’t lead his team past an LSU squad that Jones and Alabama beat by a 55-17 score last weekend.

Jones can lock up the Heisman by torching a Florida secondary that is allowing over 240 yards per game through the air. Where it gets interesting is if the Tide rely heavily on the run like they did against the Razorbacks and Jones doesn’t play a starring  role.

Heartbreak for Trask 

Florida’s Kye Trask suffered a heartbreaking upset loss at the hands of LSU in Week 15. The Gators shot themselves in the foot with several costly mistakes, including a late unsportsmanlike penalty by CB Marco Wilson for ripping off an opposing player’s shoe and throwing it down the field.

Trask had a rough first half against the Tigers, throwing two interceptions and fumbling on another play. He still fought through the adversity and gave the team a chance to win, finishing 29-of-47 for 474 yards and two touchdowns. He added another two scores on the ground.

LEGEND ‼️@ktrask9 passes @DannyWuerffel for the most TD passes in a single season in school history. #GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/hjUUERN1gs

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 13, 2020

Aside from the two picks and final result, it was another massive night in the stats department for the Gators QB. Trask’s odds dropped from +110 to +330, as oddsmakers still believe Trask has some chance at winning. Florida’s chances to make the CFP may be incredibly slim after picking up a second loss, but Trask could still win the Heisman if he knocks off Jones and Alabama in the SEC title game.

Could Smith Actually Win?

One player that continues to generate more and more Heisman buzz is Alabama WR DeVonta Smith. The senior had another “Heisman moment” in Week 15 against Arkansas, returning a punt 84 yards for a touchdown. Smith saw a massive odds bump on Sunday, going from +3000 to +450.

First career punt return TD for DeVonta Smith 👀

What can’t this guy do?! pic.twitter.com/W0cAYEtJBA

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 12, 2020

It was an otherwise quiet game for Smith, who had three receptions for 22 yards. Considering no true receiver has won the Heisman in the last 30 years, it would take an otherworldly performance by Smith against Florida for him to have any chance at winning. ESPN’s Heisman watch heading into the weekend had Smith in fourth-place (24 points) and Jones in first-place (53 points).

Aside from Smith, another player gaining late traction in the race is Notre Dame’s Ian Book. The undefeated senior saw his odds improve from +6000 to +1400 despite having a bye week as he prepares for a rematch with Clemson in the ACC title game. Don’t be fooled by the odds movement, as even an incredible performance against the Tigers wouldn’t be enough for the dual-threat QB to overtake the favorites.

Heisman Analysis After Week 15 

Trask’s Heisman case has taken a major hit following the upset loss to LSU, but there’s still a path for him to win the trophy. Beat Alabama and win a Heisman. That appears unlikely after what we saw from both squads in Week 15, but the opportunity remains.

Next stop: the Peach State 🍑

Florida and Alabama are now set to meet in the SEC championship game in Atlanta‼️ pic.twitter.com/iTdhZeX3JD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 6, 2020

Jones would be a much heavier favorite if his stats were fancier in Week 15, but voters will recognize that Jones didn’t need to have that type of game against a 3-7 Arkansas team. The Tide have three Heisman quality players in Jones, Smith and running back Najee Harris, so they’re going to take turns stealing the spotlight.

Alabama is currently favored by 16.5 points over Florida and the line continues to go up. With two losses now on his resume, Trask needs to lead his team to victory if he wants the trophy. Alabama has put up 40-plus points in nine straight games, while Florida’s defense has shown no indication they can stop a high-powered offense. This is Jones’ Heisman to lose, as it would take an uncharastic dud against a weak defense for the Tide QB to lose his lead in the race.