2011 Heisman Trophy Odds: Wisconsin Badgers RB Montee Ball Enters the Fray

The 2011 Heisman Trophy race is wide open, and three potential candidates have one final chance to make a statement this weekend.

Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball is one of those players, facing off against the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten championship game inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Saturday night.

Let's take a closer look at BoDog's current betting odds to walk away with college football's highest individual honor.

Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers RB

The Wisconsin Badgers can earn a spot in the 2012 Rose Bowl with a victory Saturday night, and junior running back Montee Ball will likely play a major role in accomplishing that goal.

His 34 touchdowns leads the nation, and he will look to score at least two touchdowns for the 13th time this year against the Michigan State Spartans.

Ball ran for 115 yards on 18 carries in the Badgers' 37-31 loss to the Spartans earlier this year as seven-point road favorites on Oct. 22.

Not out of the question that he walks away with the hardware.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 20/1

Matt Barkley, USC Trojans QB

USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley was named to the All-Pac-12 second team this week, sitting just behind Stanford Cardinal signal-caller Andrew Luck.

Can't imagine that he leapfrogs Luck in winning this prestigious piece of hardware.

The junior quarterbacks will be forever linked if both decided to declare early for the NFL draft.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 15/1

Case Keenum, Houston Cougars QB

Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum can make a major statement in this week's Conference USA championship game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

The senior is the true dark-horse candidate, setting NCAA records in every major passing category, while throwing 29 touchdown passes in his past seven games.

He can make some major noise with a victory Saturday and guide the program to its 22nd straight home win as a ranked team.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 12/1

Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears QB

Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III was knocked out of last week's 66-42 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders after taking a blow to the head in the first half.

He has certainly left his mark on the college football landscape already this season, being one of just four players in history to have 9,000-plus passing and 2,000-plus rushing yards in a career.

Griffin leads an offensive unit that is extremely balanced, coming into Saturday's game against the Texas Longhorns as the only group to average at least 200 yards rushing and 300 yards passing per game.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 3/1

Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide RB

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson finished off the regular season by rushing for a career-high 203 yards versus the Auburn Tigers in a 42-14 road win.

The junior ran against five teams that rank in the Top 20 nationally in defense, gaining 1,583 rushing yards on the year.

A major player.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 3/2

Andrew Luck, Stanford Cardinal QB

Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck was recently named the Pac-12's Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year while leading the Heisman Trophy futures market the entire season.

He has led the program to a 23-2 record since the start of the 2010 campaign, throwing for 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns this year.

Luck may be the betting favorite heading into the event, but plenty of value is found in backing the other five candidates in this article.

It's a wide-open race entering championship week.

He definitely shouldn't be priced at just above even odds.

Heisman Trophy Odds: 5/4