We’re only a few weeks removed from the Indiana Hoosiers pulling off one of the great underdog stories in American sports — let alone college football — and winning the College Football national championship 27-21 over the Miami Hurricanes.
While we’re still months away from any games being played on the field, odds are already out for next season — notably, odds for the 2026 Heisman trophy.
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And for potentially the first time ever, a Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB is the preseason favorite. Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (+700) is the favorite to win the 2026 Heisman at BetMGM, followed closely by Texas QB Arch Manning (+800). They are the only two players with single-digits odds.
No Notre Dame player has been a preseason Heisman favorite since at least 2009, which is as far back as the Sports Odds History database goes.
Carr started all 12 games for Notre Dame this past season, going 10-2 and throwing for 2,741 yards, along with 24 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. The Fighting Irish missed out on the College Football Playoff, losing their two games (at Miami and against Texas A&M) by a total of four points.
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Manning was the 2025 Heisman preseason favorite at sportsbooks, before losing that spot after a tough debut against Ohio State. Manning had the most bets, total dollars wagered and was BetMGM’s largest liability in the Heisman market before the 2025 season began.
Oregon QB Dante Moore (11-1), Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (12-1) and new Indiana QB Josh Hoover (12-1) have the next-best odds. Moore chose to return to the Ducks after struggling in the CFP, while Hoover joined the Hoosiers via the transfer portal, and is the presumed starter with Fernando Mendoza declaring for the 2026 NFL draft. Sayin was a 2025 Heisman trophy finalist and finished fourth.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (14-1) has the best odds for any skill-position player.
No Notre Dame player has won the Heisman trophy since WR Tim Brown in 1987.
