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 favored to win the championship game, which would be its very first considering that Vince Young rushed into the Rose Bowl end zone 2 years ago to distress Southern California.


Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is the early leader to catch the Heisman Trophy, which would be one of the rare achievements his famous football family has not achieved.


After sitting behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, Manning finally gets his chance to show what all the hype has to do with. Many bettors are purchasing into it.


"I think (hype is) a big part of it," stated Johnny Avello, DraftKings Sportsbook race and sports operations director. "The team has actually made strides to turn into one of the leading teams in college football. (Bettors) looked at the group in 2015 and the quarterback was OK, but I wouldn't call him the elite quarterback. So now Manning's therein, and he's got the history of all the Mannings in the past."


Top-ranked Texas is the consensus favorite to win everything, 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 wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) ratings a goal against Oregon protective 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 favorite at numerous sportsbooks to win the Heisman, consisting of a considerable one at BetMGM at 6-1 odds. 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 losing out on the trophy, so I can see that storyline sort of developing like that," CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said. "Like, this is sort of a payback for the Mannings this year, however we simply have not seen that much of him. Should he be up there ahead of Klubnik from Clemson? I wouldn't think so, but he's there."


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


Though odds remain in the QBs' favor once again this season - the leading three play that position - Ohio State broad receiver Jeremiah Smith could get a long look. BetMGM lists him at 10-1 to take home the trophy.


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


"A big-play element," Marshall stated.


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


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


Robinhood and Kalshi compete their business are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.


That does not satisfy the NCAA.


"Sport stability is critical for the NCAA, and we are deeply worried by unregulated and unprotected markets that present a danger to competition stability and student-athlete security," Tim Buckley, NCAA senior vice president of external affairs, stated in a declaration. "We will continue to evaluate developments of this market and deal with market leaders to help guarantee guardrails and guidelines to safeguard NCAA competition, student-athletes, coaches and authorities."


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


Bettors have seen, 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 felt like they type of cruised through the regular season and then actually turned it on when they got to the playoffs," BetMGM sports trading manager Christian Cipollini said. "Some of these groups are almost guaranteed to get in with this broadened 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 group from outside the power conferences to make the playoffs, and bettors think 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 basic schedule," stated Joey Feazel, head of football at . "There's high expectations that they're going to be good."


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


"That surprises me," Cipollini said.


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


Avello stated if either makes the postseason field, those support can either hope for a huge payoff or wager against them to guarantee a revenue.


"The odds are greater and (bettors) take a look at them as teams that are perhaps making a move forward over the last number of years," Avello stated.


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