2014 Heisman Trophy Odds and Predictions: Favorites and Top Challengers

2014 Heisman Trophy Odds and Predictions: Favorites and Top Challengers: The 2014 college football season is almost here, and while teams are hoping to put themselves in position to make the new four-team playoff and compete for a national title, the top players in the country are hoping to put themselves in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. Last year, Florida State’s Jameis Winston became the second freshman in a row to win the prestigious honor, and while he will be back under center for the defending champs, he is far from the only contender. Of course, one player that will no longer be in the mix is Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, who suffered a shoulder injury and will likely miss the entire season. Miller would have been one of the frontrunner, and with him out of the picture, the list of favorites became a bit narrower. On that note, here is a closer look at the top contenders for the 2014 Heisman Trophy.

The Frontrunners

Defending Heisman winner Jameis Winston will be back under center for the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles in 2014, and while his team has a great shot at repeating as champs, Winston has a great shot at repeating, as well. He was the most efficient passers in the country last year, finishing with 40 touchdowns and more than 4,000 yards. He has the offensive line and the weapons to have an equally impressive season in 2014, and if he leads the Seminoles to the college football playoff, Winston could join be joining Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winner.

If not for a late-season knee injury, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota may have won the Heisman last year. Well, the dual-threat weapon decided to return to school, and his combination of accuracy from the pocket and explosiveness outside of it should have his team contending for a national title as he piles up incredible offensive numbers. Last year, he threw for 3,665 yards and 31 touchdowns and ran for 715 yards and nine scores. If he stays healthy, his numbers should be even better in 2014, making him impossible to overlook in the Heisman balloting.

Top Contenders

He didn’t even throw for 2,000 yards last year, but Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall topped 1,000 yards on the ground and scored a combined 26 touchdowns as the general of one of the most powerful ground attacks in the country. Marshall’s numbers should improve across the board in 2014 as he improves as a passer and becomes an even bigger part of the rushing attack with lead back Tre Mason off to the NFL. If Marshall can lead the Tigers through a brutal schedule and back into title contention, a Hesiman Trophy could be in his future.

After being a Heisman finalist a year ago, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty is back to headline an explosive Bears’ offense. He threw for 33 touchdowns and only three picks in 2013, and he added 14 rushing scores. Meanwhile, his 174.3 QB rating was second only to that of Heisman winner Jameis Winston. If Petty posts similar numbers in 2014 and can lead the Bears back to the top of the Big 12, he will be right back in the Heisman conversation.

Nagging injuries plagued him in 2013, but Georgia running back Todd Gurley still managed to average 6.0 yards per carry while tallying 16 total scores and more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage. From a physical standpoint, no back in the country can match Gurley’s combination of size, speed and strength, and with the Bulldogs breaking in a new QB, Gurley is going to get all the touches he can handle. Health is the main concern for Gurley, but if he plays every game, his numbers could be eye popping. He could easily finish with 2,000-plus total yards and more than 20 scores and put himself firmly in the mix for the Heisman.