Heisman Watch: Bo Nix’s resurgence at Oregon puts him in the conversation

For the remainder of the school soccer season, Yahoo Sports activities will spotlight the main candidates for the Heisman Trophy on a weekly foundation. All odds are by way of BetMGM.

Bo Nix has entered the chat.

Nix, after a bumpy three-year stint because the beginning quarterback at Auburn, is prospering in his first season at Oregon. The brand new-and-improved Nix was on the prime of his sport on Saturday because the Geese trounced No. 9 UCLA 45-30 at house handy the Bruins their first lack of the season.

Nix was locked in for 60 minutes. He accomplished 22-of-28 throws for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns. He additionally rushed for 53 yards within the win. Oregon settled for a discipline objective on its first drive earlier than scoring touchdowns on its subsequent six possessions. The Bruins had no reply for Nix’s pinpoint passing and elusive motion within the pocket.

Nix confirmed flashes of excellence throughout his time at Auburn, however was simply as well-known for making pricey errors as he was for highlight-reel performs. Now within the Pac-12, he finds himself in a much more favorable scenario. Auburn constantly lacked on the offensive line and at receiver throughout Nix’s time with this system, leaving Nix to fend for himself towards powerhouse SEC defenses.

At Oregon, he’s a part of the most effective roster within the Pac-12. The Geese have a superb offensive line and a stellar assortment of backs and receivers, and Nix is correct at house in Kenny Dillingham’s offense. Dillingham was the offensive coordinator at Auburn throughout Nix’s freshman season, and people two have gotten an increasing number of in sync because the season has progressed.

After all, Oregon’s season-opening stinker vs. Georgia received’t be simple for voters to miss, however Nix has been the most effective gamers within the nation within the weeks since. Nix was simply 21-of-37 for 173 yards and two interceptions in that ugly 49-3 loss to the Bulldogs. It resembles plenty of the performances he had at Auburn. However within the six video games since, Nix has thrown 17 landing passes with only one interception. He’s additionally rushed for eight touchdowns over that span.

Story continues

On account of Nix’s high-profile efficiency vs. UCLA, his Heisman odds noticed a substantial enhance, transferring from +6600 to +4000 at BetMGM.

Oregon is now 6-1 and ranked No. 8 with a really manageable schedule forward. If the Geese carry on successful and Nix retains enjoying at this stage, he’ll have an opportunity to achieve floor within the Heisman race within the coming weeks.

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud (-125)

Stroud completed fourth within the Heisman voting in 2021 and has been atop the percentages board for a number of weeks. He didn’t have his sharpest efficiency in Saturday’s win over Iowa, however he’s nonetheless the betting favourite at BetMGM coming into Week 9.

Stroud shook off an early interception and ended up throwing for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 54-10 win over Iowa. Iowa’s protection really made issues considerably troublesome for the Buckeyes early, however Iowa’s lifeless offense stored gifting OSU factors with turnovers. OSU had only one landing drive within the first half, however Stroud caught hearth within the second half, throwing all 4 of his landing passes within the last two quarters.

Included in that bunch was this attractive 79-yard reference to Julian Fleming:

After Saturday’s outing, Stroud now has 2,023 yards and 28 touchdowns with simply 4 interceptions on the 12 months. OSU will go to No. 13 Penn State on Saturday.

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker (+200)

Any worry of a hangover from Tennessee’s win over Alabama had been rapidly put to relaxation. Fortuitously, the Volunteers had FCS program UT Martin visiting Neyland Stadium, and Hooker and the remainder of his teammates weren’t going to let the Skyhawks have even a glimmer of hope of a serious upset.

The rating was 7-7 early. However by halftime, Tennessee had constructed a commanding 52-7 lead. To construct that benefit, Hooker accomplished 18-of-24 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally rushed for 28 yards earlier than spending the second half out of hurt’s manner on the sideline.

For the season, Hooker has thrown for two,093 yards and 18 touchdowns with only one interception. Regardless of dealing with an FCS protection, Hooker’s odds moved from +600 to +200 within the final week. He’ll have an opportunity to achieve some extra floor within the Heisman race when Tennessee hosts No. 19 Kentucky this coming weekend.

USC QB Caleb Williams (+1200)

Williams and USC had a bye week to regroup after a heartbreaking loss to Utah. The Trojans, at present 6-1 and ranked No. 10, are nonetheless in nice place to get to the Pac-12 title sport and a Faculty Soccer Playoff look isn’t completely out of the query both.

USC would wish to go on that type of run to get Williams to the Heisman ceremony in New York Metropolis. That begins on Saturday at Arizona earlier than house video games vs. Cal and Colorado.

Williams has thrown for 1,971 yards, 19 touchdowns and only one interception up to now this 12 months. He has additionally rushed for 235 yards and three scores.

Michigan RB Blake Corum (+1300)

Like Williams and USC, Corum and Michigan had been additionally off in Week 8. The Wolverines will return to motion on Saturday vs. rival Michigan State and Corum ought to have loads of alternatives for achievement.

So far within the season, Corum has rushed for 901 yards and 13 touchdowns with 4 efforts of 100-plus yards. His landing complete is tied for the nationwide lead whereas his yardage output ranks seventh. Via seven video games, he’s averaging 128.7 dashing yards per sport for the fourth-ranked Wolverines.

With Michigan undefeated and within the nationwide title dialog, anticipate Corum’s identify to remain close to the highest of the Heisman odds so long as he retains producing. And with Michigan leaning closely on the run, it’d be a shock if that didn’t occur.

Alabama QB Bryce Younger (+2200)

Even after a strong efficiency in a cushty win over Mississippi State, Bryce Younger noticed his Heisman odds dip from +1800 to +2200.

Younger is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and he has put up glorious numbers this 12 months regardless of lacking one sport attributable to a shoulder harm. In Saturday’s 30-6 win, Younger threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 1,906 yards and 18 touchdowns on the 12 months.

Alabama, at present No. 6 within the nation, is off this week earlier than a important stretch that features street video games towards LSU and Ole Miss earlier than the Crimson Tide host Auburn within the Iron Bowl. If Alabama will get via that run unscathed, it’ll return to Atlanta for the SEC title sport, the place both Georgia or Tennessee will probably be ready.

With these alternatives forward, this looks like a possibility to purchase low on Younger’s Heisman inventory.

Oregon QB Bo Nix (+4000)

This variation of surroundings has achieved a load of fine for Nix, who’s enjoying the most effective soccer of his profession by a big margin. Following Saturday’s efficiency vs. UCLA, Nix has thrown for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns whereas finishing 71.5% of his makes an attempt thus far within the season. He additionally has 382 yards and eight scores as a runner.

That Week 1 efficiency vs. Georgia received’t be simple to miss, however Oregon goes to be within the Faculty Soccer Playoff dialog transferring ahead. Oregon will virtually definitely be the favourite in each sport it performs for the remainder of the common season, making the trail to the Pac-12 title sport very clear

If the Geese can roll via the Pac-12 with out a loss, they are going to be knocking on the door of the highest 4 into December. And there’s an excellent likelihood Nix’s Heisman candidacy will get extra reliable by the week.

Others on the radar

• Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders (+4000)

• Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei (+5000)

• Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman (+5000)

• Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs (+5000)

• Georgia QB Stetson Bennett (+5000)

• North Carolina QB Drake Maye (+5000)

• Illinois RB Chase Brown (+5000)