Early bets on the 2024 Heisman Trophy and CFP: Ewers the favorite

The season has only started a few weeks, but it's never too early to start following the Heisman Trophy race and see which programs have what it takes to win the national championship.

Here's a look at the colleges and players shining brightest after Week 2 and their intriguing current chances to capture college football's most prestigious award.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas Longhorns (+550)

Ewers has emerged as the betting favorite after a strong start to the season. It's the first time he's been the odds-on favorite since the odds were announced in February. As the quarterback of a talented Longhorns team that is a legitimate national championship contender, Ewers benefits from the spotlight in Texas.

In a high-profile game against No. 10 Michigan at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Ewers delivered a stellar performance, completing 24 of 36 passes (66.7%) for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns with no turnovers. That performance in a key game against a top-ranked opponent on the road significantly boosts his Heisman chances. He will have additional chances for decisive wins when Texas faces Oklahoma and Georgia in back-to-back weeks, as well as Texas A&M to close the season.

Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee Volunteers (+1000)

Iamaleava is a highly touted quarterback with exceptional physical attributes. In his first start against Chattanooga, he set a program record for most passing yards in a half (314), which put him in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. As a dual-threat quarterback, Iamaleava is effective both in the air and on the ground. If he continues to improve and put up strong numbers against SEC competition, his chances for the Heisman Trophy will only get stronger.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos (+3500)

Further down the betting list, Jeanty burst onto the national stage with a remarkable start to the season. In Week 1 against Georgia Southern, the 5-foot-9 junior put up astonishing numbers: 267 rushing yards on 20 carries, six rushing touchdowns (which set both a school and Mountain West Conference record) and an impressive 13.4 yards per carry. In Week 2, he followed up with another stellar performance against No. 7 Oregon, rushing for 192 yards on 25 carries and scoring three touchdowns.

Jeanty's 459 rushing yards and nine touchdowns put him on track for potentially record-breaking single-season totals. His performances have earned him national recognition, and Robert Griffin III named Jeanty his favorite for the Heisman Trophy after Week 1. However, he faces significant challenges as a Group of 5 player, as the last G5 Heisman winner was in 1963 (Roger Staubach, Navy).

Tips for the national championship

After Week 2 of the college football season, here are my top two teams to win the national championship:

Georgia Bulldogs (+275)

Georgia remains the top contender after winning two national titles in the last three years. This season, the Bulldogs have yet to allow a touchdown on defense through two games, and quarterback Carson Beck appears to have the offense completely under control. Their combination of outstanding talent, coaching and recent championship experience makes them the team to beat.

Texas Longhorns (+550)

The Longhorns made a clear statement with a 31-12 road win over defending national champion Michigan. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was impressive and the Longhorns showed they can dominate against top competition on both sides of the ball. This win catapults Texas into the top tier of title contenders. The game against Georgia next month will be a crucial test of their championship readiness.

A long road to consider

Volunteers from Tennessee (+2200)

Tennessee has impressed in its first two games, including a dominant 51-10 win over NC State in Week 2. ESPN's FPI gives the Volunteers a 66 percent chance of making the playoffs after Week 2. Tennessee's offense looks strong with Iamaleava at quarterback and a defense that has shown significant progress.

Although the Volunteers have tough games against Georgia and Alabama ahead of them, they have a relatively favorable schedule overall. If they win one or both of those games and play their other games well, they could very well be in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Even if they don't win the SEC, they could qualify as one of the at-large teams with a strong season.

While Tennessee's +115 odds to make the College Football Playoff offer some value, it might be more lucrative and flexible to bet on the team as an underdog in individual games against Georgia and Alabama. Those games would likely have higher odds (possibly +200 or higher).

If Tennessee can dominate in back-to-back road games against Oklahoma and Arkansas, its chances of making the College Football Playoff could change dramatically. However, it's important to note that the Vols haven't really been tested against quality competition yet.