Posted on 10/16/2007 6:11:01 PM

NCAA Football Betting – Heisman Hopefuls, Week 8

By Tim Furious

1. Matt Ryan (QB) – Boston College Eagles

As the big name schools in the country stumble and fumble their way in to losses, Ryan has steadied the soaring Eagles to an undefeated season and a No.3 ranking. His numbers don’t jump out at you, but Ryan has had a solid career and will get the invite to New York if he continues to play at a high level while others succumb to the pressure.

Next game: BYE WEEK

2 . Andre Woodson (QB) Kentucky Wildcats and Tim Tebow (QB) Florida Gators

Woodson and Tebow’s highly anticipated shoot-out this weekend will define the remainder of the season for the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators. It will also determine which quarterback will get the invite to New York. While the Gators got a week off, the Wildcats dispatched of the LSU Tigers 43-37 this past weekend.

If Woodson can do the same to Tebow and the Gators, he will be the hands down favorite to with the Heisman at the midway point of the season. Woodson is the better passer, and he was able to vanquish LSU when Florida failed. That will definitely get the attention of the voters, and it should get the betting community’s attention as well when they are placing long-term bets.

Next game: Florida (-7) vs. Kentucky

3. Michael Hart (RB) – Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines have climbed back in to the AP Rankings, albeit in the basement, and all the credit must be thrust towards Mike Hart. In just one half against Purdue, Hart rumbled for 102 yards and two scores. Michigan may have stumbled out of the blocks, but they are turning the ship around. Leading the league in rushing is enough to get the attention of the voters, and Hart’s betting faithful who stuck by his side will at least get rewarded by seeing Hart in New York.

Next game: Michigan (-3) vs. Illinois

4. Darren McFadden (RB) – Arkansas Razorbacks

McFadden may be the best player in the country, but he certainly is not playing like it. And for all his hype and flair, his play is not generating wins for the Razorbacks. He is tenth in rushing yards with 822 and tied for 29th with only 7 touchdowns. McFadden is riding the coattails of his own reputation right now, but he will need to prove himself if he wants that plane ticket to NYC at the end of the season.

Next game: Arkansas (-5.5) vs. Mississippi

5. Sam Bradford (QB) – Oklahoma Sooners

There are two certainties about the Heisman, and one is being challenged. The first certainty is that it is an award destined towards the most outstanding college football player in a season. The second is that it never goes to a freshman. Therein lies the problem.

Bradford is becoming the most outstanding player in the nation even though he is still a freshman. He has the best quarterback rating in the nation with 181.14 and is tied for fourth with Colt Brennan in touchdowns with twenty. On top of that he only has four picks, and the Sooners are ranked fourth.

In short, nothing would cap this season more fittingly than by having a freshman win the Heisman. Bradford is definitely worth a look in our NCAA football futures because of his sexy odds. There is an argument that he may not be the most outstanding, but the freshman certainly is standing out from the crowd with that amazing quarterback rating.

Next game: Oklahoma (-28) vs. Iowa State

NCAA football betting has started, and BetUS sportsbook already has tons of college football Futures betting available for those of us who can't wait. Bet on the Heisman winner, Conference and Divisional winners and, of course, the 2008 BCS National Championship winner. Bet NCAA Football Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!