There are less than two weeks left until the start of 2024 college football season. THE The first rankings of the season have already been released with well-known teams at the top: Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texasand Alabama complete the five best teams. Two of those five teams made the College Football Playoff last season and the other three were one win away from making it.
But the Heisman Trophy landscape looks much different this fall than it will in 2023. Winner Jayden Daniels was selected second overall by the Washington commanders. The rest of the top five in the voting were also selected in the 2024 NFL Draft: Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons), Bo Nix (Denver Broncos), Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), and Jordan Travis (New York Jets).
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This leaves an open field for new names to enter the dispute. See how the top five look in terms of odds BetMGM before week 0 games:
Heisman Trophy Odds: Preseason Favorites
QB Dillon GabrielOregon (+700)
Oregon had quarterback Bo Nix as a Heisman finalist last season. He’s in the NFLas does wide receiver Troy Franklin, and that gives quarterback Gabriel the opportunity now. The former Oklahoma Sooner dual-threat quarterback is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country this season and ranks in the top 10 all time in total touchdowns (152, fourth), total yards (15,925, seventh), yards passing yards (14,865, eighth) and passing touchdowns (125, eighth).
Franklin may be gone, but transfer Evan Stewart could bring the same field-expanding ability to the position group. Leading Receiver Tez Johnson is back in Eugene this fall and Gabriel has standout tackles Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius protecting him too.
QB Carson BeckGeorgia (+750)
Beck returns to a talented Georgia team this fall that is expected to compete for the national championship again. Georgia lost three of its top pass catchers from last season, leaving wideouts Dominic Lovett and Dillon Bell to take on bigger roles. The Bulldogs must once again have a strong offensive line, especially on the interior, to give Beck enough time to work in the pocket.
The talent is there, but it’s a matter of Beck statistically producing at the same level as Gabriel and others to remain in the Heisman conversation throughout the season.
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QB Quinn EwersTexas (+1000)
Ewers returns to Austin this fall without top pass catchers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchelland Ja’Tavion Sanderswho left for the NFL. Texas hit the transfer portal hard as Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Mateus Dourado (Houston), and Silas Bolden (Oregon State) must make up for the loss of talent.
Ewers improved as a passer across all metrics and became a greater threat in the run game last season. He’s right with Beck as the top quarterback this fall. The two will face each other on October 19th, in the Longhorns’ biggest game of the season. Strong performances against the Bulldogs and Michigan on Sept. 7 will go a long way toward helping his Heisman campaign.
QB Jalen MilroeAlabama (+1000)
Milroe led all freshmen in Heisman voting last fall and returns to Tuscaloosa this fall with a new coach, Kalen DeBoer, who has a resume of great offenses. He is a top athlete at the position this fall and will operate behind the best interior offensive line in the country.
Wide receiver group is inexperienced, but Washington transfer Germie Bernardo You are already familiar with the DeBoer system. Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law had a combined total of 33 catches last season. Alabama opens SEC play with a game against Georgia on September 29. If Milroe and the wideouts can get up to speed and play well, their Heisman campaign should take off sooner.
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QB Jaxson Dardo, old lady (+1200)
Ole Miss should have a strong season thanks to a mix of homegrown talent like Dart and one of the best transfer groups in the country this offseason. Wide Three Harris and Jordan Watkins return this fall after combining for 107 receptions, 1,726 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Rebels picked up offensive linemen Julius Buelow and Nate Kalepo of Washington, who won the Joe Moore Award last fall as the best offensive line in the country, in the transfer portal. The pieces are there for Dart and Ole Miss to have another double-digit winning season. They won’t face a preseason top-10 team until the Nov. 9 game against Georgia, giving Dart plenty of time to build his Heisman case.
Next five: QB Will Howard, Ohio State (+1400); QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee (+1500); QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, QB Cam Ward, Miami, QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame (+2000)
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This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Heisman Favorites: Dillon Gabriel, Carson Beck Lead Preseason Odds
