When Alabama Tua Tagovailoa started the Crimson Tide’s opening game against Louisville last week, it pushed his Heisman Trophy odds even lower than they already were. The sophomore was already the favorite at 4/1 over the summer at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, but went to 3/1 after the news.
There are a couple of surprises following Tagovailoa. West Virginia quarterback Wil Grier went from 20/1 in July to 6/1 this week. Quarterback McKenzie Milton of University of Central Florida joins running backs Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin and Bryce Love of Stanford at 12/1.
Tagovailoa’s stock has been rising since January, when he took over for Jalen Hurts in the second half of the College Football Championship Game and led Alabama to a come-from-behind victory over Georgia.
Suspense Over at Alabama
Ever since that game the debate began on whether Hurts or Tagovailoa would be the starting quarterback. Saban would not commit to either one in Spring practice, and was mum as well throughout the summer.
In fact Saban would still not say who the starter was after the Louisville victory, even though Tagovailoa began the game behind center. Hurts came in the second half, in a mop up role.
When asked after the game if Tagovailoa won the job, Saban got testy with the sideline reporter. He later apologized.
Finally on Monday Saban announced that Tagovailoa was the No. 1 signal caller.
“I think everybody knows Tua is going to start this game and we’re going to use Jalen’s skill set however we can to benefit the team,” Saban said. “Now we know, and you know.”
The Crimson Tide is a 36-point favorite over Saturday’s opponent Arkansas State, and it should provide Tagovailoa with another opportunity to pad his stats. Against Louisville he was 12 of 16 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. If he has similar numbers against Arkansas State, his odds could improve even more.
Player’s Stock Rises, Drops
Stanford’s Love was the top pick when the Westgate opened the odds in June. He was 5/1, but has been moving the wrong direction. He fell to 6/1 in July and is currently 12/1.
Love suffered a poor performance in the team’s opener against San Diego State. He rushed for just 29 yards on 18 carries, as the Aztecs focused on him and made the Cardinal win the game through the air.
“We wanted to establish the run,” Stanford coach David Shaw said. “We tried to stay with it as long as we could, and in doing so they left JJ Arcega-Whiteside in particular 1-on-1, so we came back at halftime and said let’s stop being stubborn. Let’s take advantage of it.”
The Cardinal host USC Saturday and the Trojans may try the same strategy as San Diego State did. If that’s the case Love’s stats could continue to suffer, as will his Heisman hopes.
Wisconsin Runs Over Western Kentucky
One player who benefitted from his team’s philosophy of pounding the ground was Taylor of Wisconsin. The Badgers running back steamrolled Western Kentucky, rushing for 145 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
Wisconsin is definitely in a run-first mode, and have the offensive line to carry out the attack. They play New Mexico Saturday and are 34.5-point favorites. Taylor could have another big game and find himself trailing on Tagovailoa on the board.