Tagovailoa, Hurts Remain Heisman Favorites After Big Week 3 Games

*Odds taken 09/16/19

Trevor Lawrence Heisman Odds Plummett 

Despite turning in a decent performance in Week 3 against Syracuse (a 41-6 Tiger victory), Clemson starting QB Trevor Lawrence has seen his Heisman Trophy odds plummett to +750. He had been considered a heavy favorite alongside Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa up to this point.

Lawrence has looked underwhelming at times this season, and was up-and-down again in Week 3 against the Orange. While he threw for a career-high 395 yards and three touchdowns, he only completed 56.4% of his passes and tossed another two interceptions.

Trevor Lawrence's 87-yard TD pass to Amari Rodgers is the longest pass for Clemson since Tajh Boyd connected with Sammy Watkins for 96 yards in 2013. pic.twitter.com/CKFtlnu26W

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 15, 2019

Lawrence is falling in the Heisman odds due to his interceptions. The Clemson QB has thrown five interceptions this season after throwing four picks in all of 2018.

The pressure has been on Lawrence since he shredded Alabama’s defense in the National Championship game last season. He’s had some hiccups, but he’s still had a strong year and should improve as the season wears on. Clemson is off to a 3-0 start and have won a whopping 18 straight games. Don’t discount Lawrence yet.

Tagovailoa, Hurts Remain Favorites

Alabama starting QB Tua Tagovailoa has been at the top of the Heisman odds since they opened, and he remains there after Week 3. While Lawrence hit a career high in passing yards for Clemson in Week 3, Tagovailoa also had a career week for Alabama, and did so without tossing any picks.

The Crimson Tide QB threw for a career-best 444 yards and had five touchdown passes in a 47-23 victory over South Carolina in Week 3.

Tua Tagovailoa now with 432 yards and five touchdowns. He is the first @AlabamaFTBL QB in history to throw for 400 yards and 5 TD’s in the same game.

— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) September 14, 2019

It’s only been three weeks, but Tagovailoa has thrown 12 TD passes with no interceptions, while Lawrence has thrown the second-most interceptions in the nation (5) this season, and thrown just five TD passes. Tagovailoa has been the safe bet for the Heisman since the beginning of the season, and it remains that way after Week 3.

Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, continues to strengthen his case for the Heisman. The Sooners starting QB is now the Heisman co-favorite alongside Tagovailoa with +400 odds. He remains behind the Alabama QB in another sportsbook.

Hurts is my pick for the Heisman after three weeks. He was electric once again in Week 3, racking up 439 scrimmage yards in a 48-14 victory over UCLA. Hurts completed 15 of 20 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns and ran 14 times for 150 yards and a score.

Will Jalen Hurts be the next transfer QB to win the Heisman for @OU_Football? pic.twitter.com/ds4yTp7L7K

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 14, 2019

Hurts leads all  FBS players with 14.4 yards per pass attempt and also has the highest pass efficiency rating  (250.2). There aren’t many QBs that can rush for 99 yards on four carries during a team’s opening drive. Hurts did just that in Week 3 for Oklahoma.

It’s still early, but Lincoln Riley is well on his way to producing a third straight Heisman winner.

Joe Burrow Trending up in Heisman Odds

LSU starting QB Joe Burrow continues to climb in the Heisman odds. Burrow followed up his epic Week 2 performance against Texas with another strong showing against Northwestern State in Week 3. Burrow went 21-of-34 for 373 yards and two touchdowns in a 65-14 victory over the Demons.

LSU opens SEC play next week, so that’s when Burrow is really going to get a chance to build his case for the Heisman. Everything he’s shown so far this season makes him a quality bet at +1400 in one sportsbook. He’s jumped Trevor Lawrence to become the third-favorite at +400 odds, so take advantage of the extra value.

Your Starting Quarterback.
A Senior from Athens, Ohio.
Joe. Burrow. pic.twitter.com/4sfWc0dXd8

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 14, 2019

LSU’s offense has been explosive through three games and Burrows ranks second in FBS with 1122 passing yards this season. Hurts has the edge over Burrow right now, but the LSU quarterback has to chance to build his legacy with huge upcoming games against Auburn, Alabama and Texas A&M.

Heisman Analysis After Week 3

Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts continues to build a very strong case for the Heisman. Through three weeks, the Sooners QB ranks second nationally with 1,253 yards of total offense (880 passing, 373 rushing). He’s the best bet for the Heisman right now.

Tua Tagovailoa has also had a strong start, making this season’s Heisman race a battle between Alabama quarterbacks past and present.

LSU’s Joe Burrow is trending upwards and has good value at +1400 odds.

If you’re looking for a longshot, I’ve mentioned Texas’ Sam Ehlinger a few times in the past. His +2500 odds provide great value. Ehlinger looked strong again in Week 3 against Rice, and the Longhorns open Big 12 play next weekend against Oklahoma State.