Baker Mayfield closes as prohibitive Heisman favorite at Vegas books
— -- Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has closed as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after Nevada sportsbooks halted betting on the award over the past week.
MGM had Mayfield listed at -250 as of last Monday, when the book took the odds off the board in compliance with Nevada Gaming Control regulations. The Westgate SuperBook closed Mayfield as even a bigger favorite at -2,000 on Sunday.
"That was because I wasn't looking to take any more money on him," Ed Salmons, assistant manager at the Westgate, told ESPN on Sunday.
Mayfield passed for 598 yards and five touchdowns against Oklahoma State two weeks ago, then backed it up with a 333-yard, three-touchdown performance against TCU on Nov. 11 to solidify himself as the favorite.
Salmons said he took two mid-four-figure bets on Mayfield when he was 7-2 and 5-2 earlier in the season and, overall, the book was looking at a loss if the Sooners quarterback hoists the trophy.
Nevada Gaming Control requires Nevada sportsbooks to halt betting on the winner of the Heisman Trophy on Nov. 19.
Mayfield made headlines Saturday when he grabbed his crotch and yelled obscenities at Kansas' sideline during the Sooners' 41-3 victory over the Jayhawks. He apologized after the game, calling his actions "unacceptable" and "disrespectful."
Stanford running back Bryce Love closed as the second-favorite at 8-1. Barkley closed at 15-1, and Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor each closed at 25-1.
The Heisman Trophy ceremony will take place Dec. 9.
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