The No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores have been one of the most fascinating teams in the country this season, led by head coach Clark Lea and standout quarterback Diego Pavia.
Pavia has been outspoken about Vanderbilt deserving a College Football Playoff bid, and while that still feels unlikely, he’s firmly in the Heisman Trophy race — especially after the first half of the Big Ten Championship between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana.
Pavia was attending UFC 323 on Saturday night, not locked in on the game, but his Heisman odds took a major jump. He entered the night behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and slightly ahead of Ohio State’s Julian Sayin.
But after first-half interceptions from both Sayin and Mendoza, Pavia vaulted into the top spot as the betting favorite at -110, according to BetMGM.
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Pavia entered the season as a major long shot to win the Heisman — listed at +2000 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
And while things could still change as the Big Ten title game plays out, especially if Sayin or Mendoza deliver a big moment in a tight game, Pavia now looks like a near lock to at least earn a trip to New York as a finalist, which is an incredible accomplishment on its own.
This season, Pavia has completed 71.2% of his passes for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and nine scores. If he goes on to win the Heisman, he would become the first player in Vanderbilt program history to take home the award.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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