Miami's Cam Ward falls behind another quarterback in latest Heisman Trophy odds
Miami's Cam Ward has had a strong campaign in 2024, leading the Hurricanes to their first AP top five ranking since 2017 after a workmanlike 36-14 win over their chief rival Florida State on Saturday night. However, as of Sunday, he's no longer the top candidate for the Heisman Trophy – at least among the […]
Miami's Cam Ward has had a strong campaign in 2024, leading the Hurricanes to their first AP top five ranking since 2017 after a workmanlike 36-14 win over their chief rival Florida State on Saturday night.
However, as of Sunday, he's no longer the top candidate for the Heisman Trophy – at least among the oddsmakers. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel now sits at the top with the best odds at +230, per FanDuel Sportsbook, after the Ducks' 38-9 dismantling of #20 Illinois on Saturday in Eugene. Ward is third at +300, with Colorado's Travis Hunter moving up to second at +270.
A week ago, Ward was tied with Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty with the top odds at +200. Gabriel was third at +350.
However, a pedestrian showing – at least statistically – by Ward and a solid statistical game from Gabriel flipped those odds around. Ward finished 22/35 for 208 yards with a receiving touchdown during the Canes' win. Not a bad day – the Canes managed to move the ball all game and put up 435 yards of total offense (230 rushing, 215 passing) – but Ward couldn't manage to secure the highlight throws and touchdowns he's had throughout most of the season.
Conversely, Gabriel continued to serve as what Heisman voters adore – a productive signal-caller on the top-ranked team in the country. He completed 18 of 26 attempts for 291 yards and 3 scores with 1 interception, adding a rushing score. Solid passing stats, but he didn't have to carry the Ducks through the air because – similarly to Ward and Miami – Oregon dominated on the ground with 225 yards on 39 carries.
The home stretch for both quarterbacks is interesting. Ward faces a tantalizing stretch of some decent but very beatable competition in Duke, at Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and at Syracuse. Gabriel and the Ducks will face Michigan on the road on Saturday followed by Maryland, at Wisconsin, and Washington to end the year. Of course, should they win out, both Miami and Oregon would have a chance at statement wins in their conference title games.
Both quarterbacks have big opportunities ahead in games where they could be double digit favorites the rest of the way during the regular season. As such, it should be an interesting race to the finish line that ends in New York City on December 14.
Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons makes the ultimate NFL pitch for Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward
The Canes QB has caught the attention of one of the NFL’s best players
