Heisman Watch 2014: Updated Odds and Final Predictions for Tight Race

Jameis Winston not being named among the Heisman Trophy finalists was expected, but it also made official one reality—the trophy will have a new owner come Saturday night in New York City.

It's been a wide-open battle for the Heisman since the start of the season, and the play from some of the game's top stars reflected that. If anything, it's a surprise only three players were invited to the Big Apple, with standout quarterbacks like TCU's Trevone Boykin and Mississippi State's Dak Prescott staying at home.

But the final three—Marcus Mariota, Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper—aren't too shabby, as CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd noted:

The competition might already feel like it's decided, depending on who you are—or how much you pay attention to college football. But with three deserving superstars being invited to the party, anything could happen. 

Let's break down the latest Heisman Trophy odds, with just a few days to go.

Player	School	Odds
Marcus Mariota, QB	Oregon	1-80
Melvin Gordon, RB	Wisconsin	18-1
Amari Cooper, WR	Alabama	50-1

Note: Heisman Trophy odds are courtesy of OddsChecker.com, last updated December 10

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota: 1-80

Is anyone really surprised at this point that Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota boasts some of the most lopsided Heisman odds in history?

It shouldn't when you take a look at his body of work throughout 2014. The Ducks quarterback has completed every prerequisite voters have ever asked of a Heisman winner.

With 3,783 passing yards and 52 total touchdowns, Mariota has spectacularly only thrown two interceptions all season. He ranks up there with Winston's 2013 Heisman campaign in almost every major category, per ESPN Stats and Information:

Must your Heisman winner be the leader of a contending team? Mariota has that box checked, as well.

Oregon's early season struggles were noticeably due to a banged-up offensive line, and the Ducks have been on a furious run to the College Football Playoff since becoming healthy again.

It didn't take long for Mariota to resurface as the Heisman leader after an early slip-up against Arizona, as ESPN College Football showcased:

Mariota had his hands full entering championship weekend with a definitive rematch test against Arizona, but he dominated in convincing fashion while contender Melvin Gordon struggled mightily against Ohio State.

That result sealed the already apparent belief that the Heisman is all Mariota's.

Predicted finish: Unanimous winner

Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon: 18-1

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Gordon's trip to New York City will be overshadowed at home by Gary Andersen moving to Oregon State and in the Big Apple by Mariota's impending Heisman.

But considering the season he's posted, that's a crying shame.

The Wisconsin running back has had a historic junior season with the Badgers in many accounts. He has been a workhorse with 309 rushes, going for 2,336 yards, scoring 29 total touchdowns and accounting for 174 points by himself.

He's even close to breaking Barry Sanders' all-time record, which he can do with 293 yards against Auburn in the Outback Bowl—and don't put that past him because he's gone for over 250 three times this season.

Stats.com noted his place in the record books:

"

.@BadgerFootball Melvin Gordon’s 2260 rushing yds this season are 4th most in FBS history, behind Barry Sanders, Kevin Smith & Marcus Allen

— STATS (@STATS_CFB) December 7, 2014"

Gordon could have made some serious noise for late consideration as the winner, but he struggled against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game with 76 yards on 29 carries.

His overall body of work is incredible enough to warrant a definite second-place finish, though.

Predicted finish: Second place

Alabama WR Amari Cooper: 50-1

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Just being named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy is an incredible feat for a wide receiver, and it just goes to show the type of season Alabama's Amari Cooper has had.

The junior wideout has shattered the Crimson Tide record books with 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns—proving impossible to contain even when defenses base their game plan around him. Whether he runs short screens, slants across the middle or deep down the field, Cooper is lethal.

He also has some respectable plans if he happens to bring home the Heisman, as ESPN College Football captured:

Cooper was on the radar to start 2014, but he burst onto the scene with four consecutive 130-yard performances to begin his season. He's surpassed the 200-yard mark three times and has four multi-touchdown games—two of those games with three scores.

Alabama has reached the CFP in no small part because of Cooper, but his presence in New York City is based off his incredible individual play. He doesn't have the stats necessary to compete with Mariota and Gordon as a wideout, but he has already been rewarded with a trip to the Big Apple.

Predicted finish: Third place