Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel Odds

Despite Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter missing the College Football Playoff field, the versatile threat is still the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy for coach Deion Sanders.

Hunter is the favorite to win the top honor ahead of players like Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty and Oregon Ducks Dillon Gabriel. Hunter has the best odds at -2400, Jeanty is in second place with odds of +1000. Gabriel is clearly behind at +40000.

As a wide receiver, Hunter had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, which is the second most in the country. As a cornerback, he collected 31 tackles, 11 pass breakups and four interceptions. Hunter’s ability to play both sides of the ball at this high level is unique in today’s game.

Colorado finished the season 9-3 and missed the Big 12 Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. Were Hunter’s individual stats enough to win the award?

Out of the Mountain West Conference, Jeanty easily leads the nation with 2,497 rushing yards and is tied for second with 29 rushing touchdowns. Because of his efforts on the ground, the Broncos were awarded a No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye.

Gabriel threw for four touchdowns and 282 yards on 22-for-32 completions en route to a 45-37 Big Ten Conference title victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and recorded 3,558 passing yards (eighth-most in the country) and 28 touchdowns (eighth-most in the country) this season. Gabriel broke the NCAA record for total career touchdowns earlier this season, 154 and counting.

The Heisman Trophy finalists will be announced on Monday. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 14th in New York City.

Gabriel and the No. 1 Ducks await the winner of the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers and No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes. A quarterback battle between Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava and Ohio State’s Will Howard will take place at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, December 21st at 4:00 pm PT.

Oregon is preparing to travel to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on New Year’s Day at 2 p.m. PT.