BetMGM’s Heisman Odds: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Garnering Interest

Written By Eli Hershkovich on August 21, 2023

With the 2023 college football season kicking off Saturday, bettors are tying a bow on their futures portfolios. Among the more intriguing markets are Heisman Trophy odds — with Ohio State’s electric wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. () near the top of the odds board at BetMGM Sportsbook. Betting preseason Heisman favorites hasn’t been the traditional route to a profit, but let’s evaluate whether Harrison — among BetMGM’s other sizable liabilities — have a reasonable chance to win the award.

Click on any of the following Heisman odds at BetMGM to place a wager. Shop for Week 0 college football odds on TheLines.com, too.

Appraising Heisman trophy odds

Per the table above, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the unsurprising favorite for Heisman odds. Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he’s third in both dollars wagered and ticket count in this market at BetMGM.

Ahead of Williams, regarding the number of wagers, are Tennessee QB Joe Milton (7.33%) and the aforementioned Harrison (8.50%). The former Michigan signal caller resides in the +3000 range at multiple sportsbooks.

Moreover, Milton represents BetMGM’s biggest liability to win the Heisman Trophy. That said, Harrison plays for an unequivocal national championship contender and is on his heels in that department as well.

In 2021 as a freshman, Harrison only had 11 catches because he was on one of the most talented rosters in NCAA history behind future first-round picks Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson (2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year). Smith-Njigba returned last season and was expected to represent C.J. Stroud’s top target. However, he barely suited up due to injury, and Harrison — the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison — quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic weapons across D-I.

Just as bettors have never cashed in on a receiver winning NFL MVP, only four wideouts have ever claimed the Heisman Trophy. Johnny Rodgers (1972), Tim Brown (1987), Desmond Howard (1991), and DeVonta Smith (2020) make up the list.

Despite Kyle McCord’s shaky performance in the spring game, the junior QB is viewed as the (non-betting) favorite to link up with Harrison, as he competes with his sophomore counterpart Devin Brown. Ironically, McCord is tied with Harrison for the 12th-shortest price tag in the Heisman Trophy betting market.

Harrison and his Buckeyes teammates are favorites for their Week 1 matchup against Big Ten rival Indiana.

Related: 5 Things To Know Before Betting College Football In 2023

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