Sam Hartman Makes Big Leap in Heisman Odds; Walker III Becomes Second Favorite

• Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman saw major improvement in his Heisman odds after Week 10
• Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III is now the second-favorite to win the trophy
• Read below to see the updated Heisman Trophy odds after Week 10

Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman is making a late-season push for the Heisman Trophy. The Demon Deacons pivot is a top-ten Heisman favorite after showing out against North Carolina in Week 10.

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III is now the second-favorite to win the trophy, while Alabama’s Bryce Young remains atop the board.

The table below shows the updated Heisman odds after Week 10 of the season.

Heisman Trophy Odds

Odds as of Nov. 7 at DraftKings.

Hartman Balls Out vs UNC

Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman saw major improvement in his Heisman Trophy odds after an impressive performance against North Carolina in Week 10. The sophomore threw for 398 yards and five TDs and ran for 78 yards and two more scores in a 58-55 loss. It was WFU’s first defeat of the season.

Hartman saw his Heisman odds improve from +4000 to +2800 after his workmanlike performance. It was the biggest leap made by any Heisman contender during Week 10 of the season. Wake Forest ruined their CFP chances with the loss, but they still have the chance to win the ACC Championship.

Sam Hartman had 7 TD responsible for today against UNC, a new Wake Forest single-game record.

Hartman set the previous record of 6, earlier this year vs Army. pic.twitter.com/l5h2iChxQ3

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 6, 2021

On the season, Hartman has thrown for 2,873 passing yards and 27 TD’s with five interceptions. He’s starting to receive serious national attention after averaging over 400 yards passing in three consecutive weeks. His 27 TD throws are third-most among Power 5 QB’s, behind only Kenny Pickett (29) and Bryce Young (28).

Can Sam Hartman actually win the Heisman? It’s been five years since a player from the ACC won the Heisman, and Wake Forest has been a lone bright spot for the conference in 2021. There’s an outside chance for Hartman to get the Heisman if Wake Forest wins the ACC, but he lacks the upside of other contenders.

Walker III Becomes Second-Favorite

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III is now the second-favorite in DraftKings’ Heisman odds after another impressive performance in Week 10 against Purdue. Walker III had 23 carries for 146 yards and one score as the Spartans suffered their first loss of the season to Purdue.

Walker III saw his Heisman odds improve to +240 after the game, which speaks volumes given the final score. Walker III has been the heart and soul of Michigan State this season, leading the country with 1,340 rushing yards. His five-touchdown game against Michigan was the most-watched college football game of the year.

A primary reason Walker III is now a top Heisman contender is because Michigan State’s defining moment of the season is approaching. The Spartans clash with a one-loss Ohio State team on November 20th in Columbus. For better or worse, Walker III will see significant odds movement depending on how the game plays out.

Bryce Young Remains Favored

Alabama QB Bryce Young remains the Heisman Trophy favorite after Week 10 of the CFB season. The sophomore pivot passed for 302 yards and two TDs as Alabama survived LSU 20-14. The Tigers brought the pressure on Young all game, sacking him four times and holding Alabama to six rushing yards.

BRYCE YOUNG IS SACKED BY CAM LEWIS AND FUMBLES

LSU BALL WITH NEARLY THREE MINUTES LEFT 😧
pic.twitter.com/LypwH85Vtb

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 7, 2021

Young continues to post solid numbers, but he’s in no way a lock to win the Heisman Trophy. Alabama’s offensive line has some glaring holes, and Young could be in trouble with upcoming games against Auburn and (potentially) Georgia. He still has some of the nation’s best stats, however, and owns the fourth-best passer rating (174).

Other Week 10 Notes

Heisman contenders CJ Stroud and Matt Corral  were both in action during Week 10, while Caleb Williams had a bye. Stroud was the only one of the three to see improvement in his odds. The Buckeyes pivot saw his odds shorten from +450 to +400 after passing for 405 yards and two TDs vs Nebraska.

INTERCEPTED!

@HuskerFBNation's defense does it again! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bvuXoVUHtq

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 6, 2021

Stroud also threw two interceptions in the game, however, and hasn’t made much happen with his legs. When asked about not running the ball vs Nebraska, Stroud told reporters, “If my job was to run the ball, I’d be a running back or something. I throw the ball for a living.” Stroud has only rushed for five yards this season, which is a hindrance to his Heisman hopes.

Corral, meanwhile, threw for for 324 yards and one TD in a 27-14 win against Liberty. Corral has posted elite numbers, but his problem is that his worst games have come against his top opponents (Alabama & Auburn). You need the opposite to occur to win the Heisman. It’s impossible to have your “Heisman moment” against a team that’s only been in the FBS for three years. Corral is also battling through injury.

This Matt Corral 50-yard dime into double coverage 😳

(via @OleMissFB)pic.twitter.com/2m3uBYrt8F

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) November 6, 2021

Oklahoma’s Williams will be back in action against Baylor in Week 11. Williams can bolter his Heisman case in the final stretch against the Bears, Iowa State and Oklahoma State, but he’s already missed 3.5 games. It’ll take something extraordinary from Williams to win the trophy, as all previous Heisman winners missed a max of one game.