A look at 2013 Heisman odds, Ohio State prop bets, futures and more

With the college football season rapidly approaching, Bovada released updated Heisman odds as well as individual props bets and conference statistical futures for the upcoming season yesterday. The new Heisman odds brought a shakeup at the top with previous favorite Johnny Manziel falling to ninth on the list at 15-1 to repeat, after recent speculation on his eligibility for the upcoming season.

Odds to win the 2013-2014 Heisman Trophy    

Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State)                           9/2       

Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina)              6/1       

Teddy Bridgewater (QB Louisville)                      9/1       

A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama)                             10/1     

Marcus Mariota (QB Oregon)                              12/1     

Aaron Murray (QB Georgia)                                14/1     

T.J. Yeldon (RB Alabama)                                  14/1     

Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson)                                   14/1     

Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M)                        15/1     

De'Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon)                       16/1     

Duke Johnson (RB Miami)                                 16/1     

Marquis Lee (WR USC)                                      22/1     

Devin Gardner (QB Michigan)                             25/1     

Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska)                           25/1     

Kevin Hogan (QB Stanford)                               25/1     

Lache Seastrunk (RB Baylor)                              30/1     

Ameer Abdullah (RB Nebraska)                          33/1     

Stephen Morris (QB Miami)                                33/1     

Jordan Lynch (QB Northern Illinois)                     33/1     

Jameis Winston (QB Florida State)                     35/1     

Blake Bell (QB Oklahoma)                                  50/1     

Brett Hundley (QB UCLA)                                   50/1     

Jeff Driskel (QB Florida)                                    50/1     

Ka'Deem Carey (RB Arizona)                              50/1     

Stefon Diggs (WR Maryland)                             50/1     

Todd Gurley (RB Georgia)                                  50/1     

Kain Colter (QB Northwestern)                            50/1     

Sammy Watkins (WR Clemson)                          50/1     

The 2012 fifth place finisher, Ohio State junior quarterback Braxton Miller, is now the odds-on-favorite to take home the trophy come December. The road to the Heisman won't be easy for Miller though, as he will face stiff competition from many talented players, including South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, and Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas.

Both Alabama and Oregon feature two players in the top 10, but if those teams are as successful as projected, it could end up hurting their players' Heisman hopes in the long run. Unless one of the players really sets himself apart from his teammate, I could see a lot of votes being split between the combos of McCarron/Yeldon or Mariota/Thomas should they be in the conversation at the end of the year.

South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney is trying join Charles Woodson as the second primary defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. While it's hard to not vote for somebody that can make this happen, the big question does Clowney take home the trophy if South Carolina loses two or three games over a Braxton Miller or Teddy Bridgewater leading their teams to undefeated seasons? I'm thinking that might be a tough sell unless Clowney pops a helmet or two into space every week.

For me the Heisman race comes down to Braxton Miller and Teddy Bridgewater. Both have very realistic chances to lead their teams to undefeated regular season thanks to schedules that are seen as weaker than some of the other contenders on the list. While Bridgewater has produced better numbers through the air in his career, Miller possesses the ability to take it to the house on the ground. Add a few highlight reel runs that we have seen Braxton produce the last couple years, which in a close race could stick in the mind of voters, and I think that puts Braxton over the top.

A few other Big Ten players had longer odds posted for them to win the Heisman as Michigan QB Devin Gardner and Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez were both given 25/1 odds, while Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah was slotted at 33/1 and Northwestern QB Kain Colter at 50/1.

Along with being the betting line favorite for the Heisman, Braxton Miller also had a number of prop bets released about his possible statistical performance this year.

2013 Regular Season - Braxton Miller (Ohio State) - Total Passing Yards        

Over/Under                               2800

2013 Regular Season - Braxton Miller (Ohio State) - Total Passing Touchdowns         

Over/Under                               19½

2013 Regular Season - Braxton Miller (Ohio State) - Total Rushing Yards        

Over/Under                               1000

2013 Regular Season - Braxton Miller (Ohio State) - Total Rushing Touchdowns         

Over/Under                               14½

I think this season we will see Braxton hit the over in the first three categories and the under on the total rushing touchdowns. In each of Urban Meyer's last two coaching stops, the quarterback in his system has thrown for over 2800 yards in his second season, and I think we see that trend continue this year. The addition of big play threat Dontre Wilson, the return of a healthy Jordan Hall, and the continued growth of Corey Brown and Devin Smith, and the usage of the tight ends in the Urban Meyer system are why I think Braxton Miller nears 3,000 yards through the air this year. That reasoning is also why I think that Miller will eclipse 20 touchdowns through the air this year. With another year under his belt and hard work to improve his game in the offseason, Miller improves upon the 15 touchdowns he threw last year.

In terms of his ground game, Braxton shouldn't have to work too hard to reach 1,000 yards on the ground this year, especially with some of the suspensions that Buckeye running backs have earned themselves this offseason. Last year Braxton ran for 130+ yards on the ground in six games. I would be surprised to see him hit that mark in at least three of the first four games this year, which would leave him well on his way to 1K by the time the Buckeyes hit conference play.

Last year Miller ran for 13 touchdowns, but I don't think he quite reaches the 14.5 number that Vegas has set for him this year. The added depth at running back means that you might see running touchdowns spread among a number of Buckeyes this year. The improvements in the passing game that I think are in store for Miller also makes me think that the increase in passing touchdown might hold down some of his rushing touchdowns. While I believe that Miller will be close to or even a little bit over double digits, 15 rushing touchdowns this year is a little high for my tastes.

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Passing Yards?

Devin Gardner (Michigan)                       1/1

Braxton Miller (Ohio State)                     6/5       

Taylor Martinez (Nebraska)                     7/5       

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Passing Touchdowns? 

Devin Gardner (Michigan)                       1/1

Braxton Miller (Ohio State)                     6/5       

Taylor Martinez (Nebraska)                     7/5       

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Rushing Yards?

Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)                    9/4       

Venric Mark (Northwestern)                    9/4       

Braxton Miller (Ohio State)                     5/2       

James White (Wisconsin)                       11/4     

Derrick Green (Michigan)                        3/1       

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Rushing Touchdowns? 

Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)                    9/4       

Venric Mark (Northwestern)                    9/4       

Braxton Miller (Ohio State)                     5/2       

James White (Wisconsin)                       11/4     

Derrick Green (Michigan)                        3/1

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Receiving Yards?          

Allen Robinson (Penn State)                  11/5

Jeremy Gallon (Michigan)                       11/5     

Cody Lattimer (Indiana)                          12/5     

Devin Smith (Ohio State)                       3/1       

Kenny Bell (Nebraska)                           7/2       

2013 Regular Season - Big Ten Conference - Who will have the most Receiving Touchdowns?           

Allen Robinson (Penn State)                  2/1       

Jeremy Gallon (Michigan)                       9/4       

Cody Lattimer (Indiana)                          5/2

Devin Smith (Ohio State)                       3/1       

Kenny Bell (Nebraska)                           7/2

The passing categories should be tight this season, and should come down to Taylor Martinez and Braxton Miller in terms of statistical leaders. I give Martinez the slight edge, as he has his top three receivers coming back, including Kenny Bell, who very well might be the best receiver in the Big Ten this year. Last year Martinez threw for 2,800 yards and 23 touchdowns and I see those numbers going up in his senior season. My prediction for Martinez is he throws for about 3,300 yards and 30 TDs with Braxton on his heels but ending up a couple hundred yards and a few passing touchdowns short of those numbers.

With Montee Ball now playing in the NFL, James White takes the keys in the backfield in Madison and is poised for a big season in his senior year. While Braxton Miller and the others on this list should put up big numbers, I think White will end the season leading the Big Ten in rushing yards and touchdowns. As a freshman, White putting up over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns while being the part of Wisconsin's three-headed monster at tailback with John Clay and Montee Ball. The last two years White has ran for over 700 yards while Montee Ball was the feature back in the Badgers system. I'm thinking that White goes for at least 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Badgers this year, which will make him tough to top in those stat categories.

Nebraska wideout Kenny Bell is my pick for the receiving categories this year, as I think he'll crack 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in his third year of being on the receiving end of passes from Taylor Martinez. Bell will have some strong competition from Allen Robinson and Devin Smith to take the top spot in these statistical categories, but he will end up having a little too much for his foes.

While Allen Robinson put up big numbers for Penn State last year, I see those stats decreasing this year with the introduction of a new quarterback into the Penn State system. The big year that Robinson had last year could also make him the target of increased attention from defenses, which I think will hold his numbers down this year from where they were at last year.

In his first two years as a Buckeye, Smith has averaged over 20 yards per catch in both of season as a wide receiver, and there is no reason to think that will change this year. The question for Smith in terms of yards and touchdowns, is will he touch the ball enough with the arsenal of weapons that the Buckeye offense possesses? Smith will have a very strong season for the Buckeyes, but I just don't think he will have quite enough to edge of Bell statistically.