What a way to kick off a college football season. We’ve got a pair of matchups in Week 1 that pit the Top 4 Heisman Trophy odds hopefuls against one another.
It’s Arch Manning vs. Jeremiah Smith when Texas takes on Ohio State, and then it’s Garrett Nussmeier vs. Cade Klubnik as LSU faces off against Clemson.
So, you know we’re going to see a shakeup in the Heisman Trophy odds after today.
Latest Heisman Trophy odds
Here are the current Heisman Trophy favorites heading into today’s action:
| Player | Position |  |
|---|---|---|
 Arch Manning |
QB | +700 |
 Garrett Nussmeier |
QB | +900 |
 Cade Klubnik |
QB | +900 |
 Jeremiah Smith |
WR | +1100 |
 Drew Allar |
QB | +1800 |
 Ty Simpson |
QB | +1800 |
 LaNorris Sellers |
QB | +1800 |
 Carson Beck |
QB | +1800 |
Heisman Trophy odds: Matchups to watch
Texas at Ohio State
Is “duh” too on the nose here? The Arch Manning hype train leaves the station when Texas visits Ohio State in Week 1.
Manning is the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +700. We know he’s an excellent athlete, but we haven't yet seen him play against this level of competition. But, if he’s able to have a good day in Columbus, the hype train will go into overdrive, and it will likely be the last chance you see a number like this.
That said, one of Manning’s biggest challengers for the award will also be in this game in super sophomore wide receiver Jeremaiah Smith.
Smith is a freak. Most agree he would have been the first WR selected in the NFL Draft last year. And would be this year. And next year.
Smith went for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman last season. He should be even better this year. The only question is how good will new QB Julian Sayin be? And how much will he feed Smith the ball?
LSU at Clemson
Two of the best quarterbacks in the country do battle in Week 1. Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik come in with matching +900 odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
Nussmeier is coming off a year where he threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while Klubnik put up 3,639 yards with 36 TDs and six picks.
But while their odds to win the Heisman are even, I think the value is just with one of them. And that is Klubnik.
The Clemson QB will have more time in the pocket to move the ball down the field against a suspect defense, while LSU’s signal caller is playing behind a rebuilt offensive line, going against a defensive front loaded with NFL talent.
And moving forward, Klubnik will have a better opportunity to put up video game numbers vs the ACC, compared to the gauntlet LSU must survive in the SEC.
Heisman darkhorse: Jump on the wagon with this Sooner
John Mateer, Oklahoma
This is your last chance to jump on the John Mateer bandwagon. Luckily, the Sooners have a wagon you can jump on.
Mateer and his OC Ben Arbuckle came to Norman from Washington State following a season where he threw for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding another 826 yards and 15 scores on the ground.
He is a true dual-threat QB, and if he can come anywhere close to replicating those numbers with the Sooners this season (who I expect to be in contention for the CFP), he will definitely be in the Heisman conversation come December.
His skills should be on display early and often as Oklahoma opens its season as 36.5-point favorites against visiting Illinois State.
John Mateer’s current Heisman odds: +2500
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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