Big 12 Football: Top 4 Heisman Trophy favorites for 2021 season
By Phil Poling
![AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as safety Christian Morgan #4 of the Baylor Bears defends in the first half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 38-31 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as safety Christian Morgan #4 of the Baylor Bears defends in the first half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 38-31 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/74207bc2ebc17ca2ccc88ef54f44d55653381f525fff04ce8ef126e79c163524.jpg)
Scouting Report. QB. 815. Pick Analysis. Sophomore. Spencer Rattler. 1. player
Heisman Odds: +600
For the first time in a long time, the preseason Heisman Trophy odds aren’t dominated by Alabama and Clemson players. Instead, Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler is the front-runner, and with Lincoln Riley’s track record, a solid bet to take home the hardware.
Rattler finished the 2020 season on a hot streak, which was desperately needed after his poor start to the season. After dropping back-to-back games against Kansas State and Iowa State, though, Rattler and the Sooners ripped off eight straight wins including the Big 12 Championship and the Cotton Bowl.
In those wins, Rattler averaged 256 pass yards and two touchdowns per game. He threw just three interceptions in that span, too, a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 6:1. That’s a smart, efficient player. Couple that ability with Riley’s to scheme and call an offense, and it’s obvious why Rattler is the 2021 front-runner.
From legit Heisman contenders like Breece Hall, Brock Purdy, Bijan Robinson, and Spencer Rattler, to dark horse candidates like Leddie Brown, Max Duggan, Marvin Mims, Spencer Sanders, and Deuce Vaughn, the Big 12 has no shortage of talent. Who else from the Big 12 belongs in this 2021 Heisman Trophy conversation?
Next. Way-too-early preseason Top 25 projections for 2021. dark