Joe Burrow Becomes Odds-On Heisman Favorite (-125); Chase Young Enters the Race

• LSU QB Joe Burrow is now the odds-on Heisman favorite (-125)
• Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has entered the race
• How should you bet on the Heisman odds after Week 9?

LSU QB Joe Burrow is now an odds-on favorite (-125) to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy after putting together an impressive performance against Auburn in Week 9. He’s still at +125 odds in one sportsbook.

Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts suffered an upset loss to Kansas State, while Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Ohio State’s top defensive end Chase Young is also now in the conversation.

Do Hurts or Tagovailoa still have a shot in the Heisman odds, or should you put your money on Joe Burrow?

2019 Heisman Trophy Odds 

Odds collected Oct. 28.

Joe Burrow Delivers Against Auburn

LSU QB Joe Burrow strengthened his Heisman case with a strong performance against a top-10 Auburn team in Week 9. Burrow completed 32 of 42 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 victory.  He also ran for 47 yards and another score.

Burrow has now led LSU to victories against two of the best defensive teams in the country in Florida and Auburn. Burrow has thrown 30 TD passes with just four interceptions this season. Washington State QB Anthony Gordon is the only QB in college football who has thrown more TD passes (32).

Burrow’s biggest test comes against Alabama on Nov.9. Crimson Tide QB Tua Tagovailoa is nursing an ankle injury, so LSU has a very realistic shot at earning a victory. Even if the Tigers fall just short, Burrow will still have a shot at the Heisman if he turns in an impressive showing.

Jalen Hurts And Oklahoma Suffer Upset Loss

Joe Burrow could still win the Heisman if LSU loses to Alabama because Jalen Hurts will also have at least one loss on his Heisman resume. Hurts and the Sooners suffered a shocking 48-41 upset loss at the hands of Kansas State in Week 9. Oklahoma was favored by 24.5 points in the game.

Despite the loss, Hurts turned in a massive individual performance. The Oklahoma QB went 19-of-26 passing for 395 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, while also rushing for 96 yards and three touchdowns. A loss is never good for any QB’s Heisman chances, but what Hurts did on Saturday was incredible.

Jalen Hurts with two rush TD … in the first quarter ? pic.twitter.com/b02hxJ0QNe

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 26, 2019

Hurts now leads the nation with a 224.3 pass efficiency rating. He’s also among the top-20 rushing leaders in all of college football with 801 rushing yards. It’s going to  be hard to deny Burrow the Heisman if he carries LSU past Alabama, but Hurts is guaranteed to have some incredible numbers at the end of the year.

Chase Young Enters Conversation

There is a new contender in the latest Heisman odds. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has entered the Heisman conversation after a big defensive performance against Wisconsin in Week 9. Young tied a school record with four sacks in the game, including two strip stacks that led to fumbles recovered by the Buckeyes.

Just call him the sack master. @OhioStateFB's Chase Young tallied four in the win over Wisconsin to help earn the Defensive Player of the Week honor. pic.twitter.com/XrqRF7yLiB

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 28, 2019

Young leads the country with 13.5 sacks this season and has played a very important role for an undefeated Ohio State team. Young is going down as one of the best pass-rushers in program history and will likely be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

As good as Young has been, Heisman voters will likely be reluctant to cast their votes for a defensive player. Michigan’s Charles Woodson is technically the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman when he won in 1997, but Woodson also played some offense as wide receiver and running back . Young is strictly a defensive player.

This award typically goes for a quarterback, and it’s a very strong year for QB’s. It also doesn’t help that Ohio State has two very valuable assets in QB Justin Fields and Young. Fields is ahead of Young in the Heisman odds and taking away some of the spotlight.

Tua Tagovailoa Update

Tua Tagovailoa was on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury when Alabama beat Arkansas 48-7 in Week 9. The Crimson Tide have a bye in Week 10 before facing Burrow and LSU in Week 11. According to Alabama coach Nick Saban, Tagovailoa could make his return to practice on Wednesday.

#Alabama’s Nick Saban updates Tua Tagovailoa’s status: “I think Wednesday will probably be the first day he’s back out on the field. … We’re not making any predictions. … If he can perform, he’ll be able to play (vs. LSU). If he can’t perform, then he won’t play.” pic.twitter.com/H4z82y6K44

— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) October 28, 2019

Tagovailoa is still a front-runner in the Heisman odds, but his chances at winning the trophy will go down significantly if he doesn’t play against LSU. Not only will Burrow have a better chance at leading the Tigers to victory, but Tagovailoa will have missed 2.5 games this season, including Alabama’s toughest test of the season against LSU. It’s very rare for any player to win the Heisman after even missing just one game.

Tagovailoa returning and leading Alabama to the playoff would be a great story that would surely impress Heisman voters, but it’s a risky bet. Burrow and Hurts have been excellent this season and are the safer bets.

Heisman Analysis After Week 9

Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are neck-and-neck in the Heisman race after Week 9. Considering Oklahoma has the easier schedule, I see the best value with Burrow right now. He has a very realistic chance at leading LSU past Alabama and seeing his Heisman odds skyrocket.

Chase Young is putting together a spectacular season on defense for the Buckeyes, but the Heisman doesn’t go to defensive players and QB Justin Fields has also played a major role in Ohio State’s success.

Bet Burrow now before he potentially becomes a odds-on favorite at all betting sites in two weeks.