No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels are in a sweet spot to roll out the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
With just three starts this season, Ferris State transfer QB Trinidad Chambliss has positioned himself as a Top-10 odds-on favorite to take a trip to New York for the coveted trophy.
Chambliss, who wasn't anywhere near Heisman or college football playoff talks in Week 4, suddenly is a growing favorite following their massive 24-19 win over LSU. More importantly, the Heisman hype surrounding the Ole Miss QB has just started.
According to Heisman odds from FanDuel, Chambliss sits with the sixth-best Heisman odds. And that's with the least number of starts than everyone ranked ahead of him.
Heisman Betting odds
- Dante Moore (Oregon): +750
- Carson Beck (Miami): +1000
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): +1000
- Ty Simpson (Alabama): +1000
- Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): +1200
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss): +1500
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State): +1700
- Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt): +1700
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia): +2000
- Sam Leavitt (Arizona State): +2000
Where does Lane Kiffin come in the picture?
Technically, Rebels Coach Kiffin doesn't come into the picture; he decides whether Chambliss stays in the picture.
Clearly, Chambliss needs more starts at Ole Miss to keep the stat sheet overflowing while shortening his Heisman odds.
For that, Kiffin needs to actually name Chambliss the Rebels' starting quarterback over Austin Simmons.
The Ole Miss head coach is still seemingly not sure about who he wants at QB. That, or he just likes to build the anticipation till the very last moment.
Austin Simmons hasn't been ruled out yet from the starting QB discussion following his recovery from his Week 2 injury.
It is most likely that the QB1 that Kiffin announces following their bye week will be their starting QB for the remainder of their slate.
In a scenario where Kiffin decides to make Simmons their starter and still bring in Chambliss for a few plays, the Rebels can kiss their chances of having a Heisman winner, or even a finalist, goodbye.
Even if Simmons performs as stunningly as Chambliss, there might not be enough games left for him to match Beck or Moore.
It has to be Chambliss if they want even a remote shot at bringing the Heisman trophy to Oxford.
Whatever Kiffin's call following their bye week is, it will decide whether Chambliss can continue making a stronger case for the Heisman.