College football betting: Look beyond favorites for Heisman plays

College football betting: Look beyond favorites for Heisman plays By Zachary Cohen VSiN September 1, 2026 - 12:53 pm Travis Hunter shattered the traditional quarterback‑centric narrative when he won the Heisman in 2024, yet he remains the exception. Since 2000, only five non‑quarterbacks have claimed the award. With the name‑image‑likeness era officially launched in July 2021, four of the last five Heisman recipients have been quarterbacks. A second trend merits attention: three of the past four winners transferred to their victorious programs. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Fernando Mendoza each captured the trophy after moving from other high‑profile schools. Preseason favorites rarely translate their odds into victory. CJ Card and Arch Manning currently lead the betting boards at most sportsbooks, but should either prevail, he would become the first preseason favorite to win the Heisman since 2014. With those patterns in mind, four Heisman‑contending bets stand out for the 2026 season. **Darian Mensah, Miami (12‑1)** Miami’s quarterback pipeline continues under Mario Cristobal, who has already funneled Cam Ward and Carson Beck into the NFL Draft via Shannon Dawson’s pass‑friendly scheme. Mensah appears poised to follow. Last season he amassed 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions despite limited supporting talent. He also posted an 85.0 PFF passer rating and demonstrated the ability to deliver clutch throws under pressure across the field. This year he adds former Duke teammate Malachi Toney, Cooper Barkate, promising sophomore Joshua Moore and an upgraded offensive line. Those enhancements give him a legitimate chance to produce gaudy numbers for a Miami team capable of double‑digit wins and a College Football Playoff berth. For that reason he ranks as the top shorter‑priced option. **John Mateer, Oklahoma (25‑1)** Mateer flashed Heisman‑caliber promise early last year before a broken throwing thumb derailed his momentum. He returned against Texas in October, threw three interceptions and never looked fully comfortable afterward. Now healthy, he remains entrenched in Ben Arbuckle’s offense, a system he knows intimately. Oklahoma also boasts an excellent group of walk‑on receivers and should field an improved offensive line. Mateer’s rushing ability separates him from many peers. Two seasons ago at Washington State he rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. While those figures may not translate directly to the SEC, his legs remain a potent weapon. Scheduled road trips to Michigan and Georgia, plus home games versus Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, will furnish ample stages for Heisman‑worthy moments. Oklahoma simply needs sufficient team success to keep him in contention. **Marcel