USC Football: Caleb Williams’ Heisman Hopes Diminish In Latest Odds

Saturday was the best of both worlds for Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and his Heisman hopes.

Not only did he throw for four touchdowns and over 300 yards in a win over then-No. 7 Oregon, but one of his main competitors put together the worst game of his career in a rivalry game.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is praised for his ability to use his feet to extend plays and fit passes in tight windows, but the Notre Dame defense proved too much to handle Saturday as the Trojans fell 48-20 to the Fighting Irish.

Williams threw three interceptions in the first half of the game. His first was an overthrow to an open receiver after the Trojans' pass protection immediately broke down while the second and third were in tight coverage that would have been intercepted nine times out of ten.

Williams only threw five interceptions in the entirety of the 2022 season, never throwing more than one in a single game. His only other multi-interception game came in a loss to then-No. 13 Baylor during his freshman season. 

The junior quarterback's chances at a Heisman are now incredibly slim, at +2000 on DraftKings. Penix Jr, on the other hand, is the favorite at -130. There are six players with shorter odds than Williams.

While the Notre Dame game is certainly a stain on his Heisman odds, as Williams will likely need each of the other contenders to have a dud performance if he is to become only the second player to win the trophy twice, he is still having a strong season.

Williams leads all quarterbacks with 23 passing touchdowns and has the most (6) rushing touchdowns of any Heisman-contending quarterback.

Penix Jr. and Williams will have a chance to make their case for the trophy in a head-to-head matchup Nov. 4 at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

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