Going into Week 4 of the college football season, the Heisman Trophy favorites look awfully different compared with the start a few weeks ago, when some players got the benefit of the doubt because of the powerhouse teams they play for.
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler started the season as the 2021 Heisman favorite, while fellow quarterbacks D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson), Bryce Young (Alabama) and C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) were right up there with him. But in recent years, it’s incredibly rare for the Heisman favorite in Week 1 to end up winning it all, and, according to Tipico Sportsbook, it looks like Rattler’s potential to be an exception is fading.
Through the first few weeks of the season, it didn’t take long for Young to jump to the top as the Heisman favorite, and between his arm and the Crimson Tide’s arsenal of receivers, it made sense.
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But now, headed into Week 4, there’s a new leader for college football’s most coveted individual trophy, and it’s Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, who started the season at +2000.
Through the first three games this season, the junior quarterback has thrown for a total of 997 yards and nine touchdowns and has a 68.8 completion percentage. He has the fifth-best passer rating in the nation right now, and he’s also added 158 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. And he hasn’t thrown an interception yet and is averaging two sacks a game.
Most recently, Corral put on a show with video game-like stats in Week 3 in Ole Miss’ 61-21 win over Tulane, and that’s surely a huge reason why Tipico has him as the Heisman favorite going into Week 4.
Against the Green Wave, he had a 74.2 completion percentage while throwing for 335 yards, and he was responsible for seven (7!!) touchdowns — three in the air and four more on the ground, which was a first in SEC history.
That's six touchdowns for @corral_matt in case you're counting. pic.twitter.com/BtuM5Lbolb
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 19, 2021
He’s an electric player and can absolutely sling it.
Matt Corral bucket ball 🪣
Jonathan Mingo catches the TDYes. Golden Corral is a DOG 🐕 pic.twitter.com/I9jNWWyS3b
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 19, 2021
Ole Miss has a bye, so it’s unclear if he’ll remain the favorite after not playing this weekend. And an explosive performance from someone like Young — whose No. 1 Alabama team takes on Southern Miss on Saturday — could obviously change that.
But going into Week 4, here’s a look at the latest 2021 Heisman Trophy favorites, according to Tipico Sportsbook as of Friday.
