Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Winston pegged to win Heisman 'very comfortably'
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 4:15pm

NEW YORK -- The only thing standing in the way of Jameis Winston and the Heisman Trophy is the Duke Blue Devils.

The quarterback of No. 1 Florida State will not be charged with sexually assaulting a woman who accused him of raping her about a year ago. State Attorney Willie Meggs made the announcement Thursday, saying there was not enough evidence to win a conviction.

Even while Winston was being investigated for sexual assault, odds makers had pegged him as the clear favorite.

Now only a terrible performance in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship Saturday night against No. 20 Duke will keep him from a runaway Heisman victory.

Chris Huston who runs the website HeismanPundit.com says: "He'll win very comfortably."

The deadline for the 928 Heisman voters to submit electronic ballots is Monday. Finalists will be announced that evening and the 79th Heisman Trophy will be awarded Saturday night in New York city.

Heisman spokesman Tim Henning said the Heisman Trophy Trust never considered extending the voting deadline if the case against Winston had not been settled before Monday.

"The great thing about this happening today — just from the pure Heisman perspective — if you're the Heisman Trust this avoids a whole lot of possibly messy situations," Huston said.

If the case had not been settled it would have overwhelmed the Heisman proceedings and could have had a significant impact on the voting.

"How this case affected the national title race and the Heisman Trophy balloting is so far down the list of what matters, it feels almost silly to talk about," said Heisman voter Doug Lesmerises of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "But in trying to make an informed choice for an award that does matter to people, the fact that a decision has been made regarding the legal process does allow us all to vote with a clearer mind."

Huston said that now it's unlikely the allegations will cost Winston enough votes to affect the outcome.

Not long after the announcement of no charges was made, RJ Bell of pregame.com Tweeted that the Heisman odds for Winston improved from -2000 to -3000, or a $30 bet in Las Vegas on Winston to win would pay out $1.

Winston would be the second freshman to win the award, and the second straight, joining Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel. Winston is a redshirt freshman, as Manziel was last year.

Huston has been taking a straw poll of Heisman voters for seven years and he has successfully predicted the winner each year. Last year, he correctly predicted the top-five voter getters.

His latest straw poll was released Tuesday and Winston had received seven of the 10 first-place votes. Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch received the others and was second. Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller were tied for third.

Huston said Winston's performance would merit a large margin of victory. Winston is challenging the major college record for passer efficiency, with a 192.6 rating heading into Saturday's game. He has thrown for 3,490 yards and 35 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, while rarely playing deep into the fourth quarter because Florida State has blown out so many opponents.

The allegations against Winston could cost him a few votes, Huston said.

"I don't think he'll have a landslide in the order of Troy Smith," Huston said. "It'll probably be more like something like Rashaan Salaam, who doubled the point total of the No. 2 two guy (in 1994)."

Smith, the Ohio State quarterback, won the 2006 Heisman by the second-largest point margin (1,662), behind only O.J. Simpson's victory by 1,750 points in 1968.

Voters cast ballots with first-, second-, and third-place finishers. Three points is awarded for a first-place vote, two for second and one for third.

This Heisman vote could have some similarities to 2010, when Cam Newton won it for Auburn after an NCAA investigation into his recruitment put a cloud over him in the last month of the season. The NCAA cleared Newton and Auburn the week leading into the SEC championship game, though the NCAA did find that his father tried to get Mississippi State to pay for his son to play there. The pay-for-play allegations likely cost Newton votes, Huston said, but the quarterback's victory was still by the 10th largest margin (1,184) in history.

"People don't want to vote for someone who is a jerk if they can avoid it," Huston said. "This allows them to give a clear benefit of the doubt" to Winston.

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Highlights: Kings go cold in fourth, lose to Lakers
YSTL: Al Davis wanted Matt Millen to run Raiders football operations
YSTL: Purdy: Kap has to show he can succeed against Seahawks
YSTL: Americans draw 'Group of Death' in World Cup

Giants

Mets, Granderson agree to $60M deal
Wilson gets $10 million to be Dodgers' setup man
Rockies' Gonzalez slides back to CF after Fowler traded
Sabean: 'Nothing earth-shattering' at Winter Meetings
Read More

Athletics

Report: Beltran, Yankees agree to three-year deal
Napoli, Red Sox agree on $32 million deal
Robinson Cano agrees to $240 million deal with Mariners
Dave Stewart will be guest speaker at sixth annual Purple Gala
Read More

Sharks

Pacific Division: Ducks hand 'Hawks third-straight loss
Sharks searching for answers after loss to 'Canes
Instant Replay: Hurricanes strike late, beat Sharks 5-3
Sharks' Stalock starting, Brown hurting
Read More

49ers

Lattimore: 'I know I still got it'
Collinsworth: 49ers going into a buzzsaw
49ers injury report: No question Staley expects to play
Seahawks-49ers matchup No. 2: Lynch vs. Dorsey
Read More

Raiders

Browns' Desmond Bryant has heart procedure
Collinsworth: Have Raiders handled QB situation properly?
Former Raiders QB Campbell to start against Patriots
NFL investigator interviews Martin’s agent, family members
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Warriors 'outworked' in worst performance of season
Instant Replay: Warriors fail to launch, lose to Rockets 105-83
Kobe Bryant to return against Raptors on Sunday
Fast Forward: Warriors need to own the glass to beat Rockets
Read More

NCAA

Santa Barbara gets first-ever win over Cal 72-65
No. 1 Florida State, Winston move past allegations
Petersen leaves Boise for Washington
UC Berkeley enters partnership with Kabam
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Mets, Granderson agree to $60M deal
Associated Press

More Stories

Wilson gets $10 million to be Dodgers' setup man
(35)
Rockies' Gonzalez slides back to CF after Fowler traded
(1)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Sabean: 'Nothing earth-shattering' at Winter Meetings
Vogelsong: 'The chip is firmly placed on my shoulder'

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Report: Beltran, Yankees agree to three-year deal
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Napoli, Red Sox agree on $32 million deal
(1)
Robinson Cano agrees to $240 million deal with Mariners
See more >

A's VIDEO

Behind the scenes of the A's Holiday Caravan
Behind the scenes of the A's Holiday Caravan
See more >

A's TALK

Dave Stewart will be guest speaker at sixth annual Purple Gala
Report: A's, D'backs explored Cespedes trade
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Pacific Division: Ducks hand 'Hawks third-straight loss
Associated Press

More Stories

Sharks searching for answers after loss to 'Canes
(1)
Instant Replay: Hurricanes strike late, beat Sharks 5-3
(6)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks' struggles mount against Hurricanes
Highlights: Sharks' struggles mount against Hurricanes
See more >

Features

Sharks' Stalock starting, Brown hurting
In the Crease: Sharks look to bounce back vs. Hurricanes

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Warriors 'outworked' in worst performance of season
(9)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Instant Replay: Warriors fail to launch, lose to Rockets 105-83
(10)
Kobe Bryant to return against Raptors on Sunday
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Inside the Paint: Houston big men dominate Warriors
Inside the Paint: Houston big men dominate Warriors
See more >

Features

Fast Forward: Warriors need to own the glass to beat Rockets
LeBron James to co-star in movie

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings can't finish, lose late to Lakers
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings look to snap skid facing hobbled Lakers
Kings assign Hamady N'Diaye to Reno
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings go cold in fourth, lose to Lakers
Highlights: Kings go cold in fourth, lose to Lakers
See more >

Features

Durant, Thunder hold off Cousins-less Kings
Kings' McLemore named Rookie of the Month for November

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Lattimore: 'I know I still got it'
(10)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Lattimore: 'I know I still got it'
(10)
Seahawks-49ers matchup No. 2: Lynch vs. Dorsey
(9)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

YSTL: Purdy: Kap has to show he can succeed against Seahawks
YSTL: Purdy: Kap has to show he can succeed against Seahawks
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 13 Rewind: 49ers have last word in win over Rams
(26)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

  • Luck shines pro day spotlight on teammate Fleener
  • Lessons from Camp Alex rubbed off on S.J. State star
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Browns' Desmond Bryant has heart procedure
Associated Press

More Stories

Collinsworth: Have Raiders handled QB situation properly?
(4)
Former Raiders QB Campbell to start against Patriots
(1)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Al Davis wanted Matt Millen to run Raiders football operations
YSTL: Al Davis wanted Matt Millen to run Raiders football operations
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 13 rewind: Raiders developing penchant for collapse
(51)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

US to play Ghana, Portugal, Germany at World Cup
Associated Press

More Stories

World Cup stadium in Brazil partially collapses
Earthquakes announce 2014 regular season schedule
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Wilson gets $10 million to be Dodgers' setup man
(35)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Warriors 'outworked' in worst performance of season
(9)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Lattimore: 'I know I still got it'
(10)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders-Jets matchup No. 2: Tarver vs. Smith
(8)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks searching for answers after loss to 'Canes
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Bill Belichick's bold stand in favor of himself

TOP STORIES

  • Santa Barbara gets first-ever win over Cal 72-65
  • No. 1 Florida State, Winston move past allegations
  • Petersen leaves Boise for Washington

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

UC Berkeley enters partnership with Kabam
Winston pegged to win Heisman 'very comfortably'

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Highlights: Kings go cold in fourth, lose to Lakers
Highlights: Kings go cold in fourth, lose to Lakers
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California