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Bo Nix will be in New York on Saturday night for the Heisman Trophy presentation, airing on ESPN at 5 p.m. PST. If Nix’s name is called, he and Marcus Mariota would become the only Oregon players in program history to win the prestigious award.
Heisman Trophy odds: Bo Nix (+1500 or better)
Bo’s odds are vastly different depending on which sports betting site you look at. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Nix’s Heisman odds at +1500, while FanDuel Sportsbook has him at +2500.
The Auburn transfer was declared a Heisman finalist earlier in the week, along with Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Here are the numbers each player posted this season. Keep in mind that Nix and Penix have an extra game under their belts thanks to Oregon and Washington’s Pac-12 Championship matchup. LSU and Ohio State didn’t qualify for their conference title games.
- Bo Nix: 4,145 yards, 40 touchdowns, and three interceptions (77% completion rate) - 228 rushing yards and six touchdowns
- Michael Penix Jr.: 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions (65% completion rate) - -18 rushing yards and three touchdowns
- Jayden Daniels: 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions (72% completion rate) - 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: 67 catches for 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 18 yards per reception
Based on odds and public perception, Penix and Daniels are Nix’s main competitors to earn the Heisman. Harrison’s Heisman candidacy is a head-scratcher, considering other pass catchers had more productive seasons.
MHJ ranked ninth in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns. LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is more deserving of the spot after leading the nation in yards and matching Harrison’s touchdown total. However, the Heisman committee likely wanted to stray away from naming two LSU players as finalists.
Heisman Trophy odds: Does Bo Nix stand a chance against Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr.?
Had Nix and Oregon beaten Washington in the Pac-12 Championship, Bo would undoubtedly be favored to win the Heisman. He was the Heisman odds leader going into the game and quickly fell below Daniels and Penix after the devastating 34-31 defeat.
Nix barely trails Penix in passing yards, threw for more touchdowns, fewer interceptions, and posted a better completion percentage. But it’s impossible to overlook Washington’s two wins over Oregon, giving Penix the edge over Bo.
Daniels has the field beat statistically, trying for the most touchdown passes and leading by a mile in rushing yards and touchdowns. It’s rare to see a quarterback with Jayden’s rushing ability be nearly equal as a passer, and it would be criminal if the Heisman voters hold LSU’s three losses against him.
Each of the Tigers’ setbacks came against ranked teams, and Jayden deserves no blame for LSU’s shortcomings. LSU’s offense averaged 33 points in losses, while the defense allowed 47 points.
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