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Heisman odds: Who's the favorite for college football's biggest award in Week 4

Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY
·3 min read
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The Heisman Trophy is college football's most prestigious award and one of the biggest awards in sports. Since 1935, the award's been given to the best player in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the defending Heisman Trophy winner. He earned the award thanks to his breakout sophomore season and returns this fall looking to become the first repeat winner since Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974-75.

Here's how the latest (as of Tuesday, Sept. 19) Heisman Trophy odds look with odds from BetMGM:

Conference of champions: The Pac-12's Heisman contenders in 2023

1. QB Caleb Williams, Jr., USC (+350)

Last week: 1 (+350)

The defending Heisman winner remains the favorite once again after a strong start in wins over San Jose State, Nevada, and Stanford. The Trojans are in college football's top five once again with a national spotlight on their games.

To win again, Williams will need to put on a show in conference play starting this week on the road at Arizona State. It'll be a good tune-up for a crucial game against Colorado Sept. 30.

Sep 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) gestures after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) gestures after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. QB Michael Penix Jr., Sr., Washington (+550)

Last week: 4 (+1000)

Another huge day from Penix Jr. in Washington's 41-7 road win over Michigan State pushes him within reach of Williams. The Huskies' quarterback completed 27 of 35 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns. He's now passed for at least 400 yards and three touchdowns in each of the first three games in 2023.

Washington begins conference play at home against Cal this week. Their toughest games are spread out this season: they have nearly a month until their biggest test against Oregon on Oct. 14.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

3. QB Quinn Ewers, So., Texas (+600)

Last week: 2 (+500)

The Longhorns entered the fourth quarter tied 10-10 against Wyoming in Week 3 but scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth to win 31-10. So why the drop to third in odds for Ewers? His stats.

The sophomore quarterback put up solid but unspectacular numbers in the win. He completed just 11 of 21 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including one on the ground. On a day when Texas out-gained Wyoming by just 25 total yards on offense, Ewers' didn't do enough to keep pace with Penix Jr.

4. QB Sam Hartman, Sr., Notre Dame (+900)

Last week: 5 (+1200)

Hartman's jumped a spot on the list thanks to a strong showing in Notre Dame's 41-17 win over Central Michigan. The senior completed 16 of 26 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns, including one rushing score.

The Fighting Irish put up 580 yards of offense in that win. They'll have the biggest test of their season so far with a game against No. 6 Ohio State this weekend. Another strong showing there and Hartman could potentially jump Ewers for third in odds.

5. QB Jordan Travis, Sr., Florida State (+1100)

Last week: 3 (+750)

Travis sees the biggest drop of any top-five Heisman contender thanks to Florida State nearly blowing a 21-point lead on the road against Boston College. The Seminoles won 31-29 but were treated to chants of "overrated!" from the crowd as they left the field.

Travis had an ankle injury scare late in the second quarter but came back to start the second half. His stat line (15 of 24 passing for 222 yards and two touchdowns) paled in comparison to Boston College's Thomas Castellanos (20 of 33 passing for 400 total yards and two combined touchdowns). The Seminoles dropped to no. 4 behind Texas and Travis needs a good game Saturday against Clemson to keep up with the others on this list.

Historic schedule: College football is set for seven games matching ranked opponents

On the bubble: QB J.J. McCarthy, Jr., Michigan, QB Shadeur Sanders, Jr., Colorado (+1800); QB Bo Nix, Sr., Oregon (+2200); QB Jayden Daniels, Sr., LSU (+3000), QB Dillon Gabriel, Sr. Oklahoma (+3000)

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Updated Heisman betting odds: Caleb Williams leads a tight top five