Posted on
10/23/2007 5:58:49 PM
NCAA Football Opinion – Heisman Hopefuls, Week 7
By Tim Furious
1. Tim Tebow (QB) – Florida Gators Tebow was once again phenomenal and propelled his chances of upsetting the popular crop of seniors in New York through the roof. Tebow had 256 passing yards and five total touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing) in Florida’s massive road win against Kentucky.
It is now becoming a pressing issue if a sophomore can win over the vaunted careers of seniors like Mike Hart and Matt Ryan. It should be remembered that this is an annual award, however, and Tebow is putting together eye-popping numbers. His name deserves to be up there, and the BetUS.com +250 odds form him to win the Heisman prove it.
Next game: Georgia vs. Florida (-9)
2. Andre Woodson (QB) – Kentucky Wildcats I wrote last week that the losing quarterback in the Florida-Kentucky game would fall off the Heisman map. Boy was I wrong about that one. Andre Woodson may have lost, but his 415 yard, 5 touchdown effort against the Gators was sensational. He threw fifty times, giving new meaning to the term, “putting a team on your back”.
Woodson is a +200 betting favorite to win the Heisman and is in a tight race with Tim Tebow. Neither can afford another loss in their books. Andre Woodson is second behind Graham Harrell of Texas Tech in total passing touchdowns with 26.
Next game: Mississippi State vs. Kentucky (-13.5)
3. Matt Ryan (QB) – Boston College Eagles Matt Ryan got a week off to bask in the glory of Boston College’s success. Now the Eagles face a very tough Virginia Tech defense that could, in one foul swoop, end Boston College’s dream run. That in turn could end Ryan’s fantastic Heisman campaign thus far.
This is Ryan’s biggest test in his college career. He has been sharp, accurate and piling up yards and touchdowns while being the emotional centerpiece of a team with all the momentum. Bet on Ryan and his Eagles to use that momentum to steamroll in to Virginia Tech and depart with a victory. This game will define Ryan’s season.
Next game: Boston College vs. Virginia Tech (-3.5)
4. Ray Rice (RB) – Rutgers Scarlet Knights Rice returns to the top-5 mainly because Michael Hart was injured this past week and he had a chance to catchup to the nation’s leading rusher. The +1500 underdog to take home the trophy had has scored 84 points this season, leaving him in 5th overall. Though he had zero touchdowns against South Florida, he racked up 181 yards.
The truth about Arkansas running-back Darren McFadden is that he is simply not compiling a huge season. Rice is seventh in the league with 999 yards and tied for third with thirteen touchdowns. Sad news for McFadden is that Tim Tebow has more rushing touchdowns (ten versus seven) than he does.
Your safe bets in our NCAA football futures is on either Michael hart or Ray Rice. If Rice can muscle Rutgers to another big upset win over the Mountaineers this weekend, the 5-foot-9, 205 pound powerhouse will become a mainstay in the top-5.
Next game: West Virginia (-7) vs. Rutgers
5. Dennis Dixon (QB) – Oregon Ducks Dixon is here because the Oregon Ducks are the fifth ranked BCS team, and Dixon deserves almost all the credit. Defenses are so scared of his throwing arm and his feet, that it freed up the running game to destroy Washington with 465 total rushing yards. Dixon contributed 99 of those yards and added a rushing score.
Dixon will get the plane ticket to New York, and please his betting investors, if the Ducks can win the Pac-10. And nothing would help his Ducks, or his Heisman betting stock, more than a win over the USC Trojans.
Next game: USC vs. Oregon (-3.5)
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!