It’s tough to disagree that Week 1 of the college football season provided some great matchups. However, some of those matchups weren’t as action-packed as some would’ve hoped. As a result, Heisman Trophy odds changed dramatically.
Not that they weren’t close and competitive games, but many fans likely thought the matchup between LSU vs Clemson, for instance, would’ve been slightly more high-scoring, evident by the oddsmakers’ set total of 55.5. Here, we’ll look at some of the risers, as well as fallers, ahead of the Week 2 college football schedule.
Risers
LaNorris Sellers (+1600 to +1000)
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers came into the 2025 college football season with an incredible amount of hype. That hype increased after Sellers bowled over a defender for a touchdown in their Week 1 win over Virginia Tech. It wasn’t the cleanest tape, however, and it will be interesting to find out if he can put up big showings against SEC teams.
John Mateer (+3000 to +1700)
If you watched John Mateer at Washington State last season, then you know how electric he is. He has a big arm and has shown the ability to make any throw, stationary or on the run. He’s also a capable runner on the ground. He had an impressive stat line in Week 1, albeit against Illinois State, an FCS team. In Week 2, however, he’ll have the Michigan Wolverines coming to town in what should be a great matchup. If he puts up big numbers against Michigan, he’ll likely see his Heisman Trophy odds rise even more.
Gunner Stockton (+3000 to +1500)
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton helped them handle business against the Marshall Thundering Herd in Week 1. He went 14-for-24 passing for 190 yards with two touchdowns. He added 73 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Stockton is going to play in some big games this season and won’t have a shortage of opportunities to shine on the national stage. However, this drastic a jump after a win over Marshall (no disrespect to Marshall) seems a bit premature.
Fallers
Arch Manning (+600 to +1600)
Perhaps no single player laid a bigger egg in Week 1 than Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Manning had all of the hype in the world coming into the season after looking good in his limited action last season. Instead, Manning and the Longhorns were only able to muster up seven points. Manning also saw his odds to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft tumble. While Manning will have plenty of opportunities to look better, a return to the top of the odds board seems unlikely.
Cade Klubnik (+900 to +1600)
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik went head-to-head with Nussmeier in Death Valley in Week 1, with LSU besting them 17-10. The defensive line for LSU had its way with the Clemson offensive line. It didn’t help that projected first-round pick, wide receiver Antonio Williams, left the contest in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. That’s not a cop out for Klubnik, as he made mistakes he hadn’t made in arguably two seasons. Clemson still has a path to the College Football Playoff, but there’s absolutely no room for error from this point.
Lay Some Action?
If you’re going to take any action after looking at the Heisman Trophy odds, Mateer really stands out, and could be the last time we can get him above +1000, especially with 15th-ranked Michigan coming to town. Mateer will also have plenty of opportunities to prove himself, as they’ll host Auburn on September 20, the annual Red River Rivalry game against No. 7 Texas on October 11, at 10th-ranked South Carolina, home against 20th-ranked Ole Miss, at 22nd-ranked Tennessee, and at Alabama. They’ll close the season hosting Missouri and LSU in the final two weeks of the season.
Want more? Check out our handicappers’ free college football picks here.