Clemson might be the favorite to win the national championship, but their quarterback Trevor Lawrence is no longer the top pick to win the Heisman Trophy. The junior, who had been the favorite to win college football’s highest honor, has slipped after missing last Saturday’s game due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Lawrence’s absence allowed Alabama quarterback Mac Jones to jump up to the new top pick for the Heisman. Another player who leaped over Lawrence is Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Fields was a finalist for the award last year when LSU’s Joe Burrow won.
Heisman Trophy Odds
| May 13 | Sept. 1 | Nov. 3 | |
| Mac Jones, Alabama | 28/1 | 30/1 | 5/4 |
| Justin Fields, Ohio State | 4/1 | N/A | 3/2 |
| Trevor Lawrence, Clemson | 3/1 | 2/1 | 15/4 |
| Kyle Trask, Florida | 11/1 | 25/1 | 12/1 |
| Devonta Smith, Alabama | 40/1 | 33/1 | 16/1 |
| Najee Harris, Alabama | 20/1 | 30/1 | 25/1 |
| Travis Etienne, Clemson | 20/1 | 14/1 | 28/1 |
| D’Eric King, Miami | 11/1 | 14/1 | 33/1 |
| Zach Wilson, BYU | 300/1 | 20/1 | 33/1 |
| Source: Bovada |
Not surprisingly, the top four players to win the award are quarterbacks. Florida’s Kyle Trask, who started the season hot, but has since cooled off a bit, is at 12/1. Two Alabama players, wide receiver Devonta Smith (16/1), and running back Najee Harris (25/1) are next.
Can Lawrence Still Win?
Lawrence had been the steady 2/1 pick before the season began, and was tops until last week when Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced his quarterback tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss the game against Boston College.
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) October 30, 2020
The No. 1-ranked Tigers escaped with a 34-28 victory against BC after being 25.5-point favorites. After the game, Swinney announced Lawrence will not be available for this Saturday’s marquee game against No. 4 Notre Dame.
“Trevor will not be able to play. I want to go ahead and get that out there,†Swinney said. “He’s doing great. He Zoomed with the team last night. I talked to him this morning. He feels like he can play today. He’s doing well, but obviously there’s protocol.â€
Tale of the Tape
| Games | Pass Attempts | Completions | Yards | TDs | INTs | QB Rating | |
| Trevor Lawrence | 6 | 191 | 135 | 1,833 | 17 | 2 | 86.5 |
| Justin Fields | 2 | 55 | 48 | 594 | 6 | 0 | 97.2 |
| Mac Jones | 6 | 177 | 139 | 2,196 | 16 | 2 | 95.5 |
Missing the biggest game of Lawrence’s season may be too much to overcome with Heisman voters. With the junior unable to play against Notre Dame, there isn’t another big game for him to show he deserves the award.
Fields still has contests with No. 13 Indiana, and No. 23 Michigan. Though the Buckeyes started the season later than the SEC and ACC, Fields made up a lot of ground in just two appearances.
Heisman Long Shot to Consider
One player who’s been garnering a lot of attention is BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. The junior began with odds of 300/1, but has made a huge leap up the betting board.
CRITICS: Zach Wilson isn't an NFL quarterback!
Zack Wilson: *shows them video of this*#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/kubPWzItmG
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) October 25, 2020
Wilson is now at 33/1 and faces his biggest game of the year at Boise State on Saturday. The Cougars opened as a three-point underdog, but the line was heavily hit by the sharps, and they are now three-point favorites.
Two former Heisman winners, 1989’s Andre Ware and 1991’s Desmond Howard, both told ESPN they like Wilson.
“He is a big-time quarterback,†Howard said. “He is a gamer. I believe when the lights are brightest, that is when he will play his best football.â€
