Players to Avoid in Early 2020 Heisman Trophy Odds Include OK State’s Chuba Hubbard, Bama’s Mac Jones

• Early 2020 Heisman Odds have been released
• Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard and Alabama’s Mac Jones are among the second group of favorites
• Which players should you avoid betting on?

You can already wager on who will win the 2020 Heisman Trophy. Predicting who will win the award is typically very difficult, as 2019-winner Joe Burrow was as long as +15000 when the odds first opened.

Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence are rightful favorites in the 2020 Heisman Trophy odds, but which players should you avoid betting on?

2020 Heisman Trophy Odds

Odds taken Jan. 8.

Players To Avoid

There are some familiar names in the 2020 Heisman race, and more than a couple players you should avoid betting on at this early stage.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard has yet to make his draft decision. The Canadian could declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, so it’s best to wait before laying down money on him. A tweet from Hubbard has many believing the RB sensation is returning, but you’re wasting money betting on him based on ominous tweets.

“Sources say”

— Chuba Hubbard (@Hubbard_RMN) January 4, 2020

Even if Hubbard does come back, he’s going to be in tough to win the Heisman. The Cowboys QB rushed for 1,936 yards and 21 touchdowns on 309 carries this year yet didn’t receive an invite to New York. As good as Hubbard is at running the ball, Heisman bias against non-QBs is very real.

Only one running back has won the Heisman in the last 10 years; betting on Hubbard taking home the trophy this early when Fields and Lawrence are returning just isn’t good value.

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Alabama QB Mac Jones has the fourth-best 2020 Heisman odds in sportsbooks, but he isn’t even guaranteed to be the Crimson Tide’s starter next season. Alabama signee and five-star quarterback Bryce Young was recently named the 2019 Maxwell Football Club Offensive National High School Player of the Year and is expected to compete with Jones for the starter role.

Jones put up some strong numbers in five games as a sophomore, but in his only test against a tough SEC opponent, he came up short in a loss to Auburn.  When you consider Saban’s praise for Young and the fact Alabama top WR Jerry Jeudy has declared for the NFL Draft, Jones isn’t a good bet this early on.

Jones is worth keeping an eye on, but there are too many unknowns. He’s getting Heisman buzz based on Alabama’s name and reputation, but if Young really impresses or Tua’s little brother, Taulia Tagovailoa, pushes for the job this offseason, Jones may even pull a Joe Burrow and transfer for a better opportunity elsewhere.

Bo Nix, QB, Auburn

Out of all the early longshot QB candidates, Auburn’s Bo Nix is one to stay away from. Sportsbooks aren’t liking Nix’s chances of taking home the trophy, but the Tigers QB was recently as short as +900.

Bo Nix warming up as Chad Morris watches before the Outback Bowl. (via @ITATJason) pic.twitter.com/aT58uReo0x

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) January 1, 2020

Nix’s 2,542 passing yards and 16 TD passes didn’t even rank him in the top-60 in those  categories this season. It’s hard to see him taking such a major leap forward in 2020, especially considering Auburn is know, for its elite defense and hasn’t had a top-20 offense since 2013.

USC’s Kedon Slovis and UNC’s Sam Howell are two returning QBs who put up better numbers as freshmen and hold better value than Nix. If you’re looking for a true longshot QB bet, Spencer Rattler under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma is an intriguing name to watch.

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, WRs, LSU

Betting on a wide receiver winning the Heisman, especially this early, isn’t a a smart choice. You have to go all the way back to 1991 when Desmond Howard took home the trophy for Michigan for the last time a player who spent time at wide receiver won the Heisman.

#LSU WR's Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase lead the NCAA with 18 receiving touchdowns each.

A two-TD game from Terrace Marshall and the Tigers would have all three starting WR's finish the year inside the Top 5 nationally in touchdowns.

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) January 7, 2020

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are sure to generate some early 2020 Heisman buzz thanks to the Tigers incredible season, but if they can’t even work their way into the conversation with Joe Burrow taking snaps, they are going to be very challenged to get Heisman buzz with the talented QB off to the NFL.

If you’re looking to ride the LSU wave heading into next season, I’d take a long look at QB Myles Brennan (+900). Joe Burrow’s backup QB was a four-star prospect who finished his high school year in 2017 as one of the nation’s top QBs. LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady played a big role in Burrow’s improvement and will look to continue that trend of developing QBs with Brennan.