Arch Manning For Heisman And Texas To Win National Title Are

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Manning name goes a long way - even for college football gamblers.


Top-ranked Texas is preferred to win the championship game, which would be its very first considering that Vince Young rushed into the Rose Bowl end zone twenty years ago to distress Southern California.


Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is the early leader to capture the Heisman Trophy, which would be one of the rare achievements his popular football household has actually not accomplished.


After sitting behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, Manning lastly gets his opportunity to show what all the buzz is about. Many wagerers are purchasing into it.


"I believe (buzz is) a big part of it," said Johnny Avello, DraftKings Sportsbook race and sports operations director. "The group has made strides to turn into one of the top groups in college football. (Bettors) looked at the team last year and the quarterback was OK, but I would not call him the elite quarterback. So now Manning's in there, and he's got the history of all the Mannings in the past."


Top-ranked Texas is the agreement favorite to win it all, though it's a congested field. The Longhorns are +450 favorites at BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by third-ranked and defending champ Ohio State (+525 ). Four other groups - No. 2 Penn State, No. 4 Clemson, No. 5 Georgia and No. 7 Oregon - are between 7-1 and 9-1.


FILE - Ohio State large receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) scores a touchdown versus Oregon defensive back Kobe Savage (5) throughout the first half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)


Manning likewise is the preferred at numerous sportsbooks to win the Heisman, including a significant one at BetMGM at 6-1 chances. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik are next at 9-1 each.


"The storyline there with (Manning's) grandpa and his uncle missing out on out on the trophy, so I can see that storyline type of evolving like that," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall stated. "Like, this is sort of a payback for the Mannings this year, but we just haven't seen that much of him. Should he be up there ahead of Klubnik from Clemson? I would not believe so, however he's there."


Colorado two-way gamer Travis Hunter's Heisman triumph last season was a rarity. Quarterbacks had won the award 20 of the previous 24 times.


Though chances are in the QBs' favor again this season - the top three play that position - Ohio State large receiver Jeremiah Smith might get a long look. BetMGM lists him at 10-1 to take home the prize.


He has gotten the second-most bets at the sportsbook, behind just Manning, and Marshall said he might see Smith winning the Heisman.


"A big-play aspect," Marshall stated.


Robinhood revealed Tuesday it was partnering with fellow online predictions market business Kalshi to start accepting trades on college and expert football video games.


Predictions markets run similar to the U.S. Stock Market in which people invest cash, however critics - consisting of those in sportsbooks - question whether it's sports wagering camouflaged as financial investment. Maryland, Nevada and New Jersey have actually taken legal action against Kalshi, arguing it breaks state sports betting laws. Native American tribes in California and Wisconsin have made similar arguments in their lawsuits.


Robinhood and their companies are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.


That does not please the NCAA.


"Sport stability is vital for the NCAA, and we are deeply concerned by uncontrolled and unguarded markets that present a hazard to competitors stability and student-athlete security," Tim Buckley, NCAA senior vice president of external affairs, said in a statement. "We will continue to examine developments of this market and deal with market leaders to help guarantee guardrails and policies to secure NCAA competition, student-athletes, coaches and officials."


Ohio State showed last season in the first year of the 12-team playoff that a team didn't need to be a high seed to win the title. The Buckeyes entered as the 8 seed, but powered through the field.


Bettors have actually discovered, with more wagers going on the under of 10 1/2 wins for Ohio State, triggering the number at BetMGM to be at -145. The over is +120.


Ohio State is -325 to make the playoff field.


"It seemed like they sort of drifted through the regular season and then truly turned it on when they got to the playoffs," BetMGM sports trading manager Christian Cipollini stated. "Some of these groups are practically ensured to get in with this expanded playoff. It's going to take a lot for Ohio State or Alabama, these actually big-name schools, to not make it."


Boise State became the first team from outside the power conferences to make the playoffs, and wagerers believe they will make it back - even without Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty.


The No. 25 Broncos are favored at DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook to represent the Group of 5.


"A really simple schedule," stated Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars. "There's high expectations that they're going to be great."


Boise State is a -160 favorite at BetMGM to win the Mountain West, with UNLV next at +700. But as far as that sportsbook's odds to win the nationwide championship, the Rebels are 200-1 compared to 250-1 for the Broncos.


"That surprises me," Cipollini stated.


Avello said cash has actually come in on No. 20 Indiana (+500) and No. 23 Texas Tech (+450) at DraftKings to win the title.


Avello said if either makes the postseason field, those support can either wish for a big reward or bet against them to ensure a revenue.


"The chances are greater and (bettors) look at them as groups that are perhaps making a move forward over the last couple of years," Avello said.


AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football