Hurts Continues to Impress in Heisman Race; Now Second-Favorite

*Odds as of Sep. 9, 2019.

Jalen Hurts Impresses Again in Week 2

Oklahoma’s starting QB, Jalen Hurts, had another strong showing in Week 2 to strengthen his Heisman case. Hurts passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns in just over two quarters in a 70-14 blowout win over South Dakota.

The numbers don’t lie. What Hurts has done through two games is special. The Sooners QB is leading the nation with a 252.3 pass efficiency rating and is also blowing out the competition when it comes to rushing yards. His 233 rushing yards are the most by any quarterback through two games this season. The next QB on the list is Baylor’s Gerry Bohanon, and he’s logged just 177 rushing yards.

814 Total Yards
9 Total TDs
34/41 Comp/Att

Jalen Hurts has been BALLIN' through 2 games ? pic.twitter.com/t2inilRwde

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 8, 2019

Oklahoma is looking like a strong bet for a Heisman three-peat after Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.  Hurts and top wide receiver CeeCee Lamb didn’t display a ton of chemistry in Week 1 against Houston, but they were lethal in Week 2 against South Dakota. They connected for gains of 48, 32 and 27 yards to help the Sooners record their highest point total since 2007 against North Texas (79).

Hurts has good value with +700 odds.

Tagovailoa and Lawrence Remain Co-Favorites

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa remain at the top of the Heisman Trophy odds, on average, but it’s mostly due to their names and reputation. The two elite QB prospects haven’t been overly impressive through two games and have been outperformed by other candidates who were considered longshots entering the season.

Tagovailoa went 16-of-24 for 227 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2 vs. New Mexico State, while Lawrence threw a TD pass and ran for a score against Texas A&M.

Lawrence underwhelmed in Week 1 vs. Georgia Tech, as well, but he showed in Week 2 some of the potential we saw from the National Championship game last year against Alabama. The Clemson QB completed 24-of-35 passes for 268 yards against Texas A&M, including this lethally accurate TD pass to Justyn Ross.

Trevor Lawrence can certainly extend plays. pic.twitter.com/1EZVqozNUQ

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) September 7, 2019

Lawrence did take a step forward in Week 2 and Tagovailoa will likely remain a favorite throughout the season due to his talent and Alabama’s elite receiver group. I still see better value with Hurts and a couple other candidates through two weeks.

QB’s Rising in Heisman Odds

The Heisman usually goes to a quarterback, and there are some very strong performers through two weeks.

LSU starting QB Joe Burrow had an epic game in Week 2 against Texas and is now listed at +1800 odds. The Tigers have been known for their strong defense, but it looks like this year they have the lethal offense to go with it. I like Burrow at +1800 odds right now. You can read more about Burrow’s Heisman chances here.

Ohio State’s Justin Fields turned in another strong showing in Week 2 as the Buckeyes dismantled Cincinnati, 42-0.  Fields had a 7-yard touchdown run in the game and has now completed 38 of 50 passes for 458 yards and six touchdowns through two games.

Justin Fields is really impressive. Smooth operator.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) September 7, 2019

While Longhorns QB Sam Ehlinger came out on the losing side of the LSU/Texas showdown in Week 2, he looked very impressive in the game. Ehlinger threw for 401 yards and four touchdowns vs. the Tigers and has now thrown seven TD passes through two games.

He’s one of only two QBs in the top-15 nationally for passing who has yet to throw an interception. Ehlinger is competing with Hurts and Oklahoma in the Big 12; if he’s able to lead Texas to a conference title, he has sneaky good value at +2500 odds.

Heisman Analysis After Week 2

Jalen Hurts has been excellent through two weeks and offers the best Heisman value at +700 odds. With Tagovailoa and Lawrence failing to live up to their opening odds as co-favorites, Hurts has all the tools to make it three straight Heisman winners for Oklahoma.

LSU, meanwhile, could potentially win every game remaining on their schedule aside from Alabama in November, making now the time to bet on Burrow before his odds get even shorter.

Fields and Ehlinger also have good value at their current odds, but Hurts and Burrow have arguably had the biggest impacts on their respective teams through two weeks.