Probably the most unlikely Heisman campaigns in school soccer historical past might start in earnest on Saturday.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavias Heisman odds are already all the way down to 15-1 at BetMGM following the No. 16 Commodores undefeated begin. If Vanderbilt upsets No. 10 Alabama for the second straight season in Week 6, Pavia is destined to develop into one of many high favorites.
Pavia both handed or rushed the ball on greater than half of Vanderbilts performs in its 40-35 upset of Alabama in 2024. He was 16-of-20 passing for 252 yards and threw two touchdowns whereas speeding 20 instances for 56 yards. Vanderbilt held onto the ball for a staggering 42:08 of the video games 60 minutes and had seven drives of not less than seven performs, together with a 17-play, 75-yard TD drive within the second quarter that took almost 10 minutes off the clock.
Vandy’s win final 12 months got here every week after Alabama beat Georgia. Final weekend, Alabama beat Georgia, 24-21.
This season, Vanderbilts offense has taken a step ahead from the staff that floor out wins final 12 months. By way of 5 video games, Pavia is 94-of-126 passing for 1,211 yards, 13 TDs and three interceptions. He additionally leads the staff with 48 carries for 294 yards and two touchdowns. His yards per cross (9.6) and yards per carry (6.1) are presently profession highs and solely 4 quarterbacks are answerable for extra touchdowns than Pavia is that this season.
The previous group school and New Mexico State switch is in his sixth season of faculty soccer after spending two years on the New Mexico Navy Institute and two with the Aggies earlier than transferring to Vanderbilt two months after NMSU beat Auburn, 31-10.
Since then, Pavia has develop into a cult hero within the SEC as Vanderbilt went 7-6 a 12 months in the past and received its first bowl sport in 11 years.
Even when Vanderbilt doesnt win on Saturday, Pavia has loads of alternatives to indicate that he could be a Heisman contender all through October. The journey to Tuscaloosa is the primary of 4 straight video games in opposition to ranked opponents for the Commodores as they host LSU and Missouri and go to Texas following an off week in Week 7.
Vanderbilt could also be favored in a kind of video games on the most. Alabama wont be Pavias solely likelihood for a giant upset in 2025. But it surely could possibly be the most important for his Heisman odds.
Listed below are the opposite gamers have been watching in Week 6.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson (10-1): One other environment friendly sport and a giant Alabama win might make Simpson the highest Heisman favourite. Hes already tied for the third-best odds with Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith behind Oregon QB Dante Moore (+750) and Miamis Carson Beck (+900). Simpson has accomplished over 69% of his passes by means of 4 video games and has thrown 11 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Texas QB Arch Manning (20-1): The Longhorns journey to Florida in Week 6 as we get an opportunity to see if Manning can capitalize on his efficiency in opposition to Sam Houston following a bye week. If Manning reverts again to the struggles he had throughout Texas first 4 video games of the season, then itll be truthful to surprise how Texas will have the ability to transfer the ball in opposition to an excellent Oklahoma protection in his first Pink River Rivalry begin on Oct. 11.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson (50-1): Robertson has performed 5 video games to this point this season however leads the nation in passing yards (1,713) and passing touchdowns (17). Kansas State isnt nearly as good as many people thought itd be forward of the 2025 season, however one other large sport in opposition to the Wildcats will shorten his odds even additional.
Iowa State QB Rocco Becht (100-1): The son of former NFL TE Anthony Becht may be very a lot a Heisman lengthy shot, however he might preserve creeping his approach up the board if the Cyclones preserve profitable. Becht rushed for 3 scores in ISUs house win over Arizona in Week 5 and has 12 whole TDs with simply two interceptions on 120 cross makes an attempt as Iowa State heads to Cincinnati as a slight underdog on Saturday.
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