Cam Ward New Betting Favorite After Quinn Ewers Injury

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) runs with the football against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

• Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is the new Heisman favorite
• Texas’ Quinn Ewers has lost traction after suffering an injury
• Read below for the updated Heisman odds following Week 3

The college football Heisman Trophy odds have been shaken up following an injury to Texas QB Quinn Ewers in Week 3 of college football. Miami quarterback Cam Ward is now the betting favorite to win the prestigious CFB MVP trophy.

The injury to Ewers not only impacted his own Heisman chances but also opened the door for his backup, Arch Manning. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning has suddenly found himself in the Heisman conversation after stepping in for Ewers and living up to the hype.

Here is a look at the updated Heisman odds following Week 3 of college football.

Heisman Odds

Heisman Odds as of Sep. 15, 2024 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Grab a DraftKings promo code to bet on the Heisman winner.

Cam Ward Now Favored in Heisman Odds

Cam Ward is the new favorite in the Heisman odds after putting on a show in Miami’s 62-0 rout of Ball State in Week 3. Ward threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns, completing 19 of 28 passes before being subbed out early in the second half.

Ward’s efficiency was on full display as he connected with multiple receivers for scores. Specifically, the former WSU pivot found Xavier Restrepo for two touchdowns and also hit Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo, and Chris Johnson Jr. for touchdown passes.

Miami QB Cam Ward vs Ball State:

🙌 19/28
🙌 345 YDS
🙌 5 TDS
🙌 0 INTS@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/QTYtY6mjq9

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 15, 2024

Ward’s exceptional performance, coupled with Quinn Ewers’ injury, has significantly shifted the Heisman Trophy odds. As of Saturday night, Ward is the +550 favorite at DraftKings, which is 15.4% implied win probability.

While Ward is the new favorite, his longshot price implies him winning is far from a lock. The Heisman odds can change drastically any given week, and all it takes is one poor showing for Ward to slip in the race.

However, there’s no denying how impactful Ward has been for the U. Through three games, Ward’s numbers are impressive: 1,035 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, only one interception, and a 73% completion rate.

Ewers Slips Amid Injury Concerns

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who entered the weekend as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner, suffered an injury during the Longhorns’ game against UTSA. The news caused sportsbooks to drop Ewers’ Heisman odds down to +1200, although DraftKings had him off the board at time of publish.

The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Ewers fell to the turf after handing off the ball. He left the field and was later seen on the sidelines in street clothes.

Quinn Ewers back on the sideline for Texas in street clothes pic.twitter.com/n1AY69hqGI

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 15, 2024

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian provided an update, stating that Ewers had sustained a “strained abdomen”. The full extent of the injury and its potential impact on Ewers’ playing time remain uncertain.

Texas has the most talented backup QB in the league, but losing Ewers would be a major blow for the Longhorns. Through the first two games and part of the third, Ewers had thrown for 691 yards and eight touchdown passes while boasting a 69.8% completion percentage.

Arch Manning Heisman Odds

One man’s loss is another man’s treasure when it comes to the Heisman race. Arch Manning’s odds improved dramatically after stepping in for an injured Ewers against UTSA on Saturday.

In Ewers’ absence, the highly-touted backup QB looked as good as the name on the back of his jersey would imply. Manning threw for 223 passing yards, four touchdown passes, and added a 67-yard rushing touchdown.

Before the game, Manning was a longshot with odds of 150-1 to win the Heisman Trophy. Following his stellar play against UTSA, his odds skyrocketed to 22-1 at ESPN BET. Some sportsbooks, like DraftKings, listed Manning’s new odds at +1600, making him the 7th-best candidate to win the award.

We can’t recommend a bet on Arch until we know Ewers’ injury status, but both these quarterbacks have shown they can ball in this Texas offense. Arch’s Heisman ods will only continue to improve if Ewers is out, especially since Texas has two upcoming cupcakes against UL Monroe and Mississippi State.

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