Should Travis Hunter be favored to win the Heisman? Johnny Manziel, awards voters, oddsmakers weigh in
Travis Hunter is the talk of college football. Even one of the most electric players in college football history is talking about him.
The two-way Colorado star has become must-watch television and Johnny Manziel believes he could be on the path to joining him at the Heisman House.
After his performance this past Saturday where he had 130 receiving yards and a game-saving forced fumble, many media and football fans said he should be the Heisman front-runner.
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The sportsbooks have not reflected that.
Hunter is currently listed between +1000 and +1500 to win the Heisman at most sportsbooks. So why is he not the favorite heading into Week 5? Action Network asked Heisman voters and sportsbook traders for answers, including Manziel.
“I don’t know if he should be the favorite right now,” Manziel said. “Obviously I think he’s one of the most explosive, dynamic players in college football, but to be the favorite, I don’t know if he’s done enough yet to warrant that.”
The Buffaloes are not the typical .500 football team. Historically, playing on one of those teams means there aren’t many games in the spotlight. Colorado plays every game in the spotlight. They have played on CBS, FOX, ESPN and NBC so far this season and are slated to play on FOX again this week. They are the third most-viewed college football team this season.
“Historically, the Heisman winner comes from a team with great success throughout the season,” BetMGM Senior Sports Trader Michael Ranftle said. “Colorado will most likely be underdogs for the majority of their remaining schedule. Even if the Buffaloes win half their games, they would be 7-5 on the season and it would be tough for one of their players to win the award.”
Manziel doesn’t believe wins will come into play as much as people think.
“I don’t know if there’s a number that they have to get to where you’re going to say ‘oh, okay, they have to win seven, eight games and then I think he should be in the Heisman conversation,'” Manziel said. “I think he has to continue to keep doing what he’s doing on the offensive side of the ball. Keep putting up 100-yard games, keep scoring touchdowns, and keep making plays throughout games that people around the country are looking at and seeing that this guy is an absolute game-changer.”
Collin Wilson, Action Network’s senior college football expert and Heisman voter, believes the combination of Colorado’s record and the Heisman, primarily a quarterback award, contributes to the number.
“Flat out a 6-win team producing a Heisman is whatâs playing into that number,” Wilson said. “Plus, like Ndamukong Suh in 2009, it can be so hard for defensive players to get votes.”
Hunter is not the typical offensive player. Hunter is sixth in the nation in receiving yards, fourth in receptions and fourth in touchdowns through four games this season. On the defensive side of the ball, Hunter’s impact is less quantifiable. Teams have opted to stay away from his side of the field. Baylor did not target his side once. Still, he had three tackles and a forced fumble.
Quarterbacks have a 59.2 passer rating when targeting Hunter. He has the most tackles of any cornerback in college football without a missed tackle this season.
“We haven’t seen a defensive player win in the longest time, so it’s going to have to be something that really, really stands out and something that presses up against the line of what people have done over the last 20-25 years of college football,” Manziel said. “It’s going to have to really be a standout season. He’s well on his way, as we know, but we have a lot of season left.”
About the AuthorChase is a sports news writer at The Action Network. He specializes in college sports, golf and soccer but will watch anything you can bet on. Catch him on the golf course either carrying a bag or playing with his buddies.
Follow Chase Howell @chasehowell__ on Twitter/X.
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