A big factor in the Heisman Trophy chase is the p.r. and hype that can be developed around a potential candidate. At some point in the process, a decision is made (often within a school’s athletic department) to start promoting a player with Heisman potential. If the March 4 cover of Sport’s Illustrated is any indicator, it appears that the Braxton Miller Heisman hype machine is well underway.
As the college basketball season gears up for it’s biggest event of the year (and possibly the biggest event in college sports), Sports Illustrated has decided that it’s never too early to talk Heisman Trophy. Aside from the insult to college basketball, Braxton Miller bursting out of the cover with the headline “Ohio State’s Braxton Miller Ready to Burst Onto the Heisman Scene” does make sense.
More than any year I can remember, the expectations on Ohio State this coming season are huge. After going undefeated in 2012 with a team that demonstrated it’s share of weaknesses, Urban Meyer went to town on the recruiting trail landing what some have called the top recruiting class in the country. Add the fact that we are hearing almost daily reports out of Columbus regarding the continued development of Braxton Miller and the early pre-season hype is understandable.
Good or bad, if the 2013 Buckeyes don’t make it to the National Championship game and Miller isn’t a Heisman finalists, many Buckeye fans will look at 2013 a “bad” season.
Preseason betting odds favor Braxton Miller for the Heisman second only to last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Johnny “Imnotgointocallhimthat” Manziel at 7-1. Manziel leads the odds at 4-1.
What do you think? Too much early season hype? Expectations too high or is it all going exactly as it should.
You can see the complete Heisman Trophy odds below curtosy of www.Bovada.lv.
Odds to win the 2013-2014 Heisman Trophy
Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M) 4/1
Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State) 7/1
Marquis Lee (WR USC) 9/1
Aaron Murray (QB Georgia) 10/1
De’Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon) 10/1
A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama) 12/1
Duke Johnson (RB Miami) 12/1
Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina) 12/1
Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson) 15/1
Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska) 15/1
Ameer Abdullah (RB Nebraska) 18/1
Marcus Mariota (QB Oregon) 18/1
T.J. Yeldon (RB Alabama) 18/1
Brett Hundley (QB UCLA) 20/1
Lache Seastrunk (RB Baylor) 20/1
Everett Golson (QB Notre Dame) 22/1
Stephen Morris (QB Miami) 25/1
Blake Bell (QB Oklahoma) 30/1
Jeff Driskel (QB Florida) 30/1
Ka’Deem Carey (RB Arizona) 33/1
Devin Gardner (QB Michigan) 40/1
Stefon Diggs (WR Maryland) 40/1
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