Heisman Odds Week 12: Hendon Hooker's injury creates chaos for the field ahead of Rivalry Week

Each week this college football season, BetFTW will take a look at the 2022 Heisman Trophy race and break down the contenders. Check back each Monday as the best college football players in the country jockey for position with both oddsmakers and bettors. Preseason odds can be found here and Week 11 here. 

There’s no way to have the Heisman conversation this week without talking about Hendon Hooker. Tennessee’s electric quarterback wasn’t the betting favorite to win the award, but by virtually every metric and eye test he should’ve been. After helping the Volunteers (mostly) dice up a ruthless SEC schedule, Hooker showed he possessed every tool needed to succeed at the college level and beyond.

Now his year is over, disrupted by a torn ACL in the waning moments of a Tennessee loss at South Carolina that not only ended the Vols’ playoff dreams but Hooker’s college career, as well. The quarterback will rehab with an eye towards the NFL draft and getting his professional tenure started.

There is absolutely an argument to be made that Hooker has done enough already to win the Heisman. His season ends with 3,135 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions for a 175.5 QB rating. He also ran for 430 yards and five scores on 104 carries. But he only played in 11 games. While every other contender is gearing up for a resume-solidifying week against their school’s respective rival, Hooker’s campaign has come to a close.

It’s entirely possible this year’s Heisman is awarded to the star played on whichever team wins the Michigan-Ohio State game. If the Wolverines win with Blake Corum scoring multiple touchdowns, he’ll be worthy of a spot in New York. If the Buckeyes dominate with C.J. Stroud doing the bulk of the heavy-lifting, it’s hard to imagine he won’t have locked up the award.

That leaves bettors with an interesting predicament. Bet on the Heisman-winner outright or attempt to parlay a Michigan/Ohio State win with either Stroud or Corum scoring multiple times. It’ll be worth watching the odds all week to see which line is better.

Here’s where the Heisman race stands heading into Week 12.