As if Braxton Miller wasn’t facing enough pressure heading into the new season, the spotlight just got a little brighter. The Ohio State quarterback is now viewed as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy with a little more than three weeks until the opener.
The rising star is certainly worthy of the honor after an impressive sophomore campaign, which saw him rack up more than 3,300 total yards and 28 touchdowns. It also helps that the Buckeyes were ranked No. 2 in the USA Today preseason poll.
Miller is currently listed at +250, according to Top Bet. Other top contenders before a single game has been played include South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Defending Heisman winner Johnny Manziel has faded due to off-field issues (via ESPN), altering the outlook of the race for college football’s top individual honor.
Chip Patterson of CBS Sports passed along comments from Kevin Bradley of Bovada, who agreed Miller is likely to emerge as the Heisman favorite. He also said the Manziel situation has caused plenty of things to change. Bradley said Monday, per Patterson:
Considering Texas A&M was among the top-5 favorites to win the BCS with Manziel playing, there is no doubt that this investigation has forced us to close down those odds, along with win totals, conference odds and pretty much anything that involves the Aggies or Manziel until we have more information.
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: Braxton Miller Deserves Heisman Trophy Favorite Status
