Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is the new Heisman Trophy betting favorite following the Vols’ beatdown of Kentucky, according to FanDuel.
In what’s narrowed into mostly a two-man race, Hooker passed Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud in betting odds following the weekend.
The super senior quarterback has even odds (+100) to earn the most prestigious individual college football award while Stroud is not far behind at +200.
Hooker passed Stroud after completing 19-of-25 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns while adding a touchdown on the ground against the Wildcats.
“I think with Hendon, his numbers are speaking for themselves right now,” Tennessee quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle said Tuesday. “He’s been in a lot of big games this year, and it doesn’t look like any big game has been too big for him. You haven’t seen him shy away from the moment. You’ve seen him step up, and every time we’ve gone against a ranked team at home or on the road, he’s stepped up and had one of his best performances of the year.
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Stroud faced his first major test since the Buckeyes season opening win over Notre Dame last Saturday against Penn State. Stroud played well against the Nittany Lions, throwing for 354 yards and a touchdown.
Ohio State’s offense was lackluster for much of the game before flipping the switch late and running away with the victory.
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Hooker has another chance to solidify his Heisman candidacy this week when Tennessee heads to Athens to face No. 1 Georgia. The regular season college football game of the season presents another opportunity for Hooker to show why he’s deserving of the award.
Stroud’s next big chance to make a Heisman statement will come in Ohio State’s regular season finale against rival Michigan.
Tennessee and Georgia kick off from Sanford Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday. Brad Nesler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell are on the call for CBS.
