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Opening 2019 Heisman Trophy Odds: Tua Tagovailoa Heavily Favored

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Football

Updated Apr 8, 2020 · 5:30 PM PDT

Tua Tagovailoa Alabama Crimson Tide
Tua Tagovailoa came up short in 2018 Heisman voting, but he's favored to win the 2019 award and go first overall in the 2020 draft. Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire.
  • Tua Tagovailoa is a +200 favorite to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy
  • Are Tagovailoa’s short odds worth a bet?
  • Who else deserves serious consideration?

Tua Tagovailoa picked the wrong time to have his worst game of the season.

If not for a sub-par performance in the SEC Title game, it could have been Tagovailoa, not Kyler Murray, delivering the Heisman Trophy acceptance speech Saturday night.

Instead, Tagovailoa will likely have to settle for another National Championship and a shot at redemption in 2019.

It’s no surprise that Tagovailoa is the early front runner in the 2019 Heisman race, especially since he spent the majority of this season as the favorite in 2018 Heisman odds.

Odds to Win 2019 Heisman Trophy

Player Team Odds
Tua Tagovailoa Alabama +200
Trevor Lawrence Clemson +550
Jake Fromm Georgia +650
Jonathan Taylor Wisconsin +700
Travis Etienne Clemson +800
D’Andre Swift Georgia +800
Sam Ehlinger Texas +900
Tate Martell Ohio State +1100
Austin Kendall Oklahoma +1100
Jerry Jeudy Alabama +1100
Rondale Moore Purdue +1600
Shea Patterson Michigan +1600
AJ Dillon Boston College +1600
Adrian Martinez Nebraska +2000
Jalen Hurts Alabama +2000
KJ Costello Stanford +2000
Eno Benjamin Arizona State +2000
Kelly Bryant Missouri +2500
Khalil Tate Arizona +2500
D’Eriq King Houston +2500

Tua’s Time

In his first full season as Alabama’s starting QB, Tagovailoa has completed 67.7% of his passes for 3,353 yards and 37 touchdowns. He has a 9.25-to-1 TD to INT ratio and a passer efficiency rating of 202.3.

He has five games with at least four touchdown passes and his 42 combined touchdowns are an Alabama record.

He’s also led the Crimson Tide to school records in offensive yards, passing yards, and total points scored.

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Tagovailoa’s top three receivers will all return to Alabama in 2019, and his elite accuracy and aggressive nature should give him a strong chance to replicate and possibly even exceed his record setting 2018 season.

Who’s the Best Bet to Win 2019 Heisman Trophy?

Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa is a very deserving favorite, and I could easily see him adding a Heisman Trophy to his resume.

But his price is tough to stomach.

At +200, Tagovailoa would need to win the award 33.3% of the time just for you to break even long term. Instead of simply going with the chalk, let’s examine some other contenders that present better value.

Sam Ehlinger

A dual threat QB, Ehlinger threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for another 13 scores.

He’s completed 64.3% of his passes in 2018 and was a big reason Texas returned to the Big 12 Championship game.

Rondale Moore

The Freshman receiver led College Football with 103 receptions and ranked fourth in all-purpose yards (2,048).

He also led the Big 10 with 1,164 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named a First-Team All American by the AP.

Jonathan Taylor

College Football’s leading rusher enters bowl season with 1,989 yards and 16 touchdowns.

He’s eclipsed 100 yards in all but one game this season, and his 3,966 rushing yards through his first two seasons is the most in FBS history.

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