Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Heisman Trophy betting: Here is J.J. McCarthy's competition in the latest odds

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/30/23

J.J. McCarthy and the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines got a much-needed bye in Week 9, but the time away from the gridiron hasn't completely dismantled his odds at sportsbooks for winning the Heisman Trophy.

The 20-year-old junior has the highest QB rating in the country according to ESPN, and if he continues on this current trajectory, he could be the first Michigan quarterback to win the coveted award since 1986. (That year it was won by McCarthy's current coach, a pre-Khaki Era Jim Harbaugh.)

Of course, McCarthy has competition when it comes to oddsmakers choosing their current favorite. Here's a look at who McCarthy is in competition with at sportsbooks to win the Heisman Trophy.

JJ McCarthy is playing on Freshman mode. pic.twitter.com/2Ktwb8ZqLI
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) October 22, 2023

McCarthy was previously the betting favorite to win the Heisman as DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel list him at 3-1 odds to win college football's big honor.

However, Michigan's bye week has allowed other stars to creep into the mix. That's why Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has emerged as the new favorite this week and is listed at roughly 11-4 odds (+275 on the money line) across the board. Penix has been a Heisman favorite all season as he has led the No. 5 Huskies to their first 8-0 start since 2016. He threw for 369 yards with four TDs and one INT in a 42-33 win against Stanford over the weekend.

The odds don't leave a lot of room between McCarthy, Penix and the rest of the pack. Jayden Daniels has tallied three or more touchdowns in seven straight games for the No. 13 LSU Tigers, and he is listed at 4-1 odds across major sportsbooks to win the Heisman. Not surprisingly, Bo Nix is right on his tail at 6-1 odds after another colossal performance for the No. 6 Oregon Ducks as he led his team to a 35-6 win against the No. 18 Utah Utes in Week 9. Jordan Travis at No. 4 Florida State and Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 Ohio State round at the list of Heisman Trophy favorites at 8-1 and 12-1 odds respectively.

The winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy will be announced in a ceremony on December 9.

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