Holy smokes, did you see what Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith just pulled off? He dropped a ridiculous 12 catches for 217 yards and four , yeah, FOUR , touchdowns against Illinois on Saturday, powering No. 5 Ohio State to a 42-19 win. That insane performance wasn’t just a highlight reel, it completely flipped the Heisman Trophy race upside down, making Smith the new betting favorite at +275 at BetMGM.
Smith’s Surge and the Wide Receiver Anomaly
This isn’t just a one-off for Smith either. The dude has been an absolute machine every single game this season, racking up at least five catches and 85 yards, bringing his total touchdown count to seven. It’s that kind of consistent, explosive play that catapulted him from 10-1 odds to the very top spot, blowing past guys like Miami (FL) quarterback Darian Mensah and Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, who were the co-favorites heading into Week 4. Think about it: a wide receiver leading the Heisman charge! We haven’t seen that since Alabama’s Devonta Smith did it in 2020, and before that, you’ve got to go all the way back to 1992 for another one. This kid is making serious history, and the oddsmakers are definitely feeling the heat. Smith accounts for a significant 9.2% of all Heisman wagers and a massive 18.2% of the money, making him BetMGM’s biggest liability. That’s a ton of faith from bettors, and it’s absolutely easy to see why after Saturday’s clinic; he’s just *that* good.
The Shifting Heisman Landscape: QBs Left Chasing
While Smith is soaring, the rest of the Heisman field is scrambling, trying to keep pace with the unexpected frontrunner. Darian Mensah from Miami (FL) is still impressive, holding onto the second-best odds at +400 after throwing eight touchdowns and expertly leading No. 4 Miami to a perfect 4-0 start. But arguably the biggest shocker might be Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor. This guy opened the season at a wild 150-1 and has absolutely exploded onto the scene, rocketing up to +700 odds, which now places him third-best in the entire race. Taylor is tied for the college football lead with an incredible 14 touchdown passes, leading his Mississippi State squad to a perfect 4-0 record themselves. Meanwhile, the preseason favorite, Notre Dame QB CJ Carr, has noticeably slipped to 12-1, and Texas QB Arch Manning has dropped way down to 30-1. The Heisman dynamics are changing fast and furiously, and Smith is definitely driving the entire narrative right now.
It’s still early in the season, but what a start for Jeremiah Smith! Next up, we’ve got to keep an eye on Kamario Taylor’s big showdown with No. 7 Alabama this Saturday. Can he keep that incredible climb going? The Heisman race just got wild, and we’re here for every single snap of it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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