Is Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender?
At least one oddsmaker thinks so.
Bovada released opening odds for the 2018 Heisman on Tuesday. The top three:
1. Stanford RB Bryce Love 7/1
2. Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor 8/1
3. Arizona QB Khalil Tate 9/1
Tate came in just ahead of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who, despite his heroics in the national-championship game, is not the Crimson Tide’s clear-cut starter heading into next season. Incumbent Jalen Hurts is still on the roster.
Although every Wildcat will have to earn his spot under new coach Kevin Sumlin, it would require something way out of the ordinary (or – gasp! – a major injury) for someone other than Tate to open at QB for Arizona in ’18.
Whether Sumlin’s arrival boosted Tate’s odds is unclear, but the new UA coach does have a reputation for coaching and developing prolific quarterbacks. Johnny Manziel won the Heisman under Sumlin in 2012.
Tate flashed into the Heisman race after his monstrous October run. Neither he nor the Wildcats could sustain their success in November. But the then-sophomore still led a near-comeback and rushed for 161 yards against USC; rushed for 206 yards against Oregon State; and threw a career-high five touchdown passes in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Despite starting only eight games – and missing most of the second half against Arizona State – Tate rushed for 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns. He completed 111 of 179 passes (62 percent) for 1,591 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
It’ll be fascinating to see how Sumlin and his yet-to-be-named offensive coordinator utilize Tate. Will they incorporate designed runs as Rich Rodriguez did? Will the offense be more pass-oriented, as Sumlin already has suggested?
Whatever the case, the onus will fall on Tate more than anyone to improve his game (as explained here). He’ll have to get it done against quality opponents (USC, Utah, Oregon, etc.) to sustain his Heisman campaign. Arizona also will need to win at least nine games; Tate won’t stand much of a chance if the Wildcats go 7-5 in the regular season again.
Bovada’s opening favorite last year – Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield – won the Heisman. Its No. 3 pick, 2016 winner Lamar Jackson, made it to New York and finished third.
Love, the runner-up, did not make the top 18 – an example of how unpredictable the Heisman race can be.
