Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers opened the bettors eyes and wallets after Ewers threw for 349 yards and three TDS in the Longhorns 34-24 upset victor Saturday night over third-ranked Alabama.
The victory improved the Longhorns’ record to 2-0 on the season, and they host Wyoming Saturday night before heading into Big 12 Conference play.
Ewers Has a Day Against Alabama
Just a year removed from getting injured against Alabama, Ewers stepped up when the Longhorns needed him most; with just a slim, three-point fourth-quarter lead, the sophomore QB led Texas to a seven-play, 75-yard drive, eating up nearly 7:49 minutes of clock. Ewers capped it off with a 39-yard scoring strike to wideout Adonai Mitchell to seal the Longhorns’ upset victory.
Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte heaped high praise on Ewers and told reporters, “It’s been a long road, and he [Ewers] played a heckuva game,”
That it has, but Ewers is now the fourth favorite to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy. Bettors saw his leadership and how he managed that fourth-quarter drive and became believers.
2023 Heisman Trophy Betting Odds
Note: A friendly reminder that sports betting in Texas is prohibited.
The top five on the DraftKings 2023 Heisman Trophy Futures board are as follows.
- Caleb Williams, USC (+400)
- Jordan Travis, Florida State (+900)
- Michael Penix Jr, Washington (+900)
- Quinn Ewers, Texas (+1000)
- JJ McCarthey, Michigan (+1600)
Williams is trying to become just the second player since Ohio State running back Archie Griffen (1974-1975) to win consecutive Heisman’s. Williams has thrown for 878 yards with a dozen TDs, and his USC Trojans are 3-0.
Travis has been exceptional in the Seminoles’ first two victories, throwing for 517 yards with six passing TDs and one interception. Travis threw four TD passes on opening night against LSU and, like Williams, is a dual-threat quarterback capable of winning games with his feet and canon-like arm.
Penix Jr. is enjoying a tremendous start to his final season with Washington. The Huskies are 2-0, and Penix has thrown for 859 yards with eight scoring strikes and one interception. Penix isn’t much of a threat with his feet but can produce highlight reel plays that will likely sway some voters.
McCarthy has thrown for 558 yards and five TD passes for the 2-0 Michigan Wolverines. McCarthy is a dual-threat QB playing in the defensively stacked Big Ten, but if he can continue this pace, he could get an invitation to the Heisman presentation show.
Is Quinn Ewers a Good Bet to Win the 2023 Heisman Award?
I hate to overreact to a terrific performance, but what Ewers and the Longhorns offense were able to do against a strong Alabama defense definitely raised some eyebrows, including mine.
The Longhorns returned their entire starting offensive line and three wideouts with a combined 150+ catches in 2022. The Texas offense is loaded, and Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian tells us how Ewers can stay in the running for the Heisman,
“I think it [Saturday’s Alabama victory) can serve as a springboard for Quinn if he can recreate the habits right Sunday through Friday to get himself ready,”
Ewers has done a good job of this already this season. The Longhorns QB has thrown for 609 yards and six TDs without an interception. The sophomore signal-caller, more known for his arm than his feet, has also scampered for an additional 23 rushing yards and a TD.
Finally, the odds are long for Ewers, and rightly so. Ewers plays in a difficult conference with a long season ahead of them. The Longhorns’ final three regular-season games are on the road, and winning the Big 12 with an undefeated record will be difficult. Texas would need to win the Big 12 for Ewers to have any chance of winning, but if you believe Texas can run the table, +1000 at DraftKings is a good price.
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