6 underdog picks to win the Heisman this college football season

Every year the Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football, and every year people are quick to deem one player the favorite to win the award before a snap of football has been played.

This year, the de facto favorite for the award is USC quarterback Sam Darnold. The distinction is well-deserved - Darnold leads a potent offense with poise, and showed in the Rose Bowl last year that he has what it takes to perform his best under the brightest lights.

But there are other candidates for the award who should not go overlooked, as Heisman winners have a habit of coming out of nowhere to win the award.

Below we are taking a look at a few players with longer odds to win the Heisman who could potentially string together a special season that leaves them posing at the end of the year. Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley, and Baker Mayfield are the three biggest favorites to take home the Heisman, but there's plenty of talented options further down the betting sheet as well.

Below are your best underdog bets to come home with the Heisman this year. All odds were set before the start of the season courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

Note: An earlier version of this article listed Deondre Francois as a candidate to win the Heisman. Unfortunately, he went down with a season-ending injury in Florida State's first game of the season. We wish him a speedy recovery.