Joe Burrow Becomes Heisman Favorite (+125 Odds) After Routing Miss. State, While Tua Suffered Ankle Injury

• Joe Burrow is now a +125 favorite to win the Heisman Trophy
• The move comes after the former favorite Tua Tagovailoa suffered an ankle injury against Tennessee
• Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts is behind Burrow at +200

With Tua Tagovailoa set to miss an extended period of time with an ankle injury, there is a new number one atop the 2019 Heisman odds. It is LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who holds +125 odds to take home the award in December.

Heisman Trophy Odds

*Odds taken 10/21/19

How Long is Tua Out?

Tagovailoa is no stranger to ankle injuries. He suffered one last year, opening the door for now-Oklahoma Heisman candidate Jalen Hurts to enter the second half of the SEC Championship and put an exclamation point on his time in Tuscaloosa.

Tua underwent surgery to repair a high ankle sprain, and Nick Saban has said, “there is no real timetable for his return”. An AL.com report states that, “the team is optimistic Tagovailoa will be back in time for Alabama’s game against LSU November 9”.

That is a two-week window, but even if Tua makes it back, success is not guaranteed. He made it back from his injury a year ago, and went on to struggle mightily in the title game against Clemson.

 What About Jalen Hurts?

Joe Burrow is now the favorite, but Hurts is close behind. He’s putting up video game numbers, and is likely leading the Sooners to a playoff berth. He’s behind Burrow in touchdown-to-interception ratio and yardage, but has a 10-point advantage in passer rating. Burrow is putting up a higher volume of stats, but there is one other big disadvantage that Hurts faces.

Jalen Hurts vs Joe Burrow

On the remaining schedule, Burrow has meetings with Alabama, Auburn, and potentially the SEC Championship Game. Hurts and Oklahoma have big games too, like Bedlam, Baylor, and likely the Big 12 title game. However, Burrow is currently the favorite, and if he continues to deliver on massive stages, Hurts will be playing catch-up against a conference full of defenses that have terrible reputations.

Hurts can only control what he can control. If Burrow falters, Hurts will pounce. Until then, the Tiger quarterback will hold the top spot.

What’s the Best Bet?

All it takes is one game. Hurts is going to put up a bare minimum of 300 yards and two touchdowns on a weekly basis, all the way through the Big 12 Championship.  All he needs is for Burrow to stumble one time.

There are three truly dicey spots left for Burrow. He’ll host Alabama, Auburn, and possibly travel to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, with Georgia being a potential opponent. If you think one of those defenses is able to frustrate Burrow and force him into a poor game, the Hurts +200 is the way to go.

Jalen Hurts can't be stopped! 😤 pic.twitter.com/dcgdWS7bJW

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 19, 2019

It helps the case for Hurts that his story is so fascinating. He’s had extreme highs and lows on the football field, and has gone from the starter at Alabama, to the bench, now to Oklahoma. The whole time, he’s handled it in as mature and likable a manner as he could.

Considering the Heisman Trophy is voted on by a big group of college football writers, it’s hard not to think that his story makes all the more appealing as a Heisman candidate.