USC Football: Caleb Williams No Longer Betting Favorite to Win Heisman Trophy

I'd still put money on Williams to win the award...

Through the first few weeks of the new college football season, junior USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is doing his best to maintain his standing in the Heisman Trophy race. Williams won the award last season, and he hasn’t done anything to prove that he doesn’t deserve to win it again.

The only issue is that no player in history has ever won the award back-to-back years, so Williams is battling against history. No matter how good he has been, there are always going to be reasons that go against him.

For the first few weeks, Williams was at the top of the list, but after this past weekend, he has fallen as the leading man. According to the oddsmakers, Williams is no longer the betting favorite to win the honor again.

“Washington Huskies signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. has overtaken the top spot, as DraftKings Sportsbook lists him as a +360 favorite to take home the coveted award. Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, now has odds of +400.”

Per Doric Sam of Bleacher Report

Penix Jr. is a real threat to Williams for the award this season, so Williams will need to make sure that he stays at the top of his game. It’s hard to win the award in back-to-back years because there are always players who emerge to challenge things.

“Penix has helped lead the No. 7 Huskies to a 4-0 start, most recently posting a season-high 59 points in Saturday's win over Cal. The senior threw for 304 yards, four touchdowns and an interception on 19-of-25 passing in the victory, upping his season totals to 1,636 passing yards, 16 scores and just two picks.”

Per Doric Sam of Bleacher Report

November 4th could be a massive day for the Heisman race this season, as the Huskies head to the LA Coliseum to face the Trojans. Depending on how that game goes, it could push one of these two quarterbacks into the lead.

Additionally, voter fatigue is a real thing and could end up playing a role in Williams not winning it again if his stats are similar to another. Williams has an uphill battle to win the award again, but never say never.

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