College Football Betting: Will Marvin Harrison Jr. Run Away With the Biletnikoff Award?

Given every year since 1994 to college football's most outstanding wide receiver, the famed Fred Biletnikoff Award always provides an exciting race.

In certain seasons, the accolade is tightly contested. Still, in others (such as this year), we often see one or two wideouts distinguish themselves above the rest. In 2023, Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Ohio State Buckeyes has done exactly that.

According to the Biletnikoff Awards odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Harrison is the odds-on favorite through nine games. Still, there are several big-name playmakers behind him that are unlikely to relent.

Let's break down some of the perennial Biletnikoff Award candidates to this point in the season and their respective odds to bring home college football's top receiving achievement.

For reference, Jalin Hyatt -- who is now a member of the New York Giants -- cashed this market last year with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Fred Biletnikoff Award 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (-185)

As alluded to, Marvin Harrison Jr. has shown all the right moves this year. His 10 receiving touchdowns in 2023 have him tied for fourth in FBS. Additionally, Harrison is thriving behind 17.6 yards per reception (YPR), which is one of the highest clips for any player with north of 50 catches at the moment.

Harrison will receive a natural boost for being the best offensive weapon on the 9-0 Buckeyes. Naturally, Ohio State football is a powerhouse brand that warrants respect and national coverage, so all -- media members, voters, bettors and fans alike -- have had the luxury of seeing Harrison operate.

Through nine contests this year, Harrison has gone over 100 yards receiving in six separate games. From there, he has thrice produced more than 160 yards. Of those, his best performance came in an 11-catch, 162-yard effort versus the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Considering that Harrison has found the end zone in all but two games in 2023, I imagine he continues to score over the next three weeks. Still, can he provide major production in the regular season finale versus the archrival Michigan Wolverines?

Malik Nabers, LSU (+370)

Arguably, junior Malik Nabers of the Louisiana State Tigers has been the most explosive pass-catcher in the current campaign. Like Harrison, Nabers has scored at least one touchdown in seven of nine games this season. Still, the latter brings consistency, not having caught fewer than four passes in any contest.

Nabers possesses that big-play ability that petrifies opposing defensive coordinators. In a Week 3 meeting at the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the speedy wideout compiled a jaw-dropping 239 yards behind 18.4 YPR. More recently against the Army Black Knights, Nabers dazzled en route to 121 yards on only four catches -- one of which was a 51-yard score.

Unfortunately for the Fighting Tigers (and Nabers in particular), LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was sent to concussion protocol in last week's contest against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Brian Kelly deems Daniels day-to-day for Week 11.

Whether or not Daniels returns to action this season, Nabers already has the numbers and tape to earn a Biletnikoff Award. In 2023, his 1,152 receiving yards lead all of FBS. However, is that enough for Nabers to leapfrog Harrison?

Luther Burden III, Missouri (+800)

Only a sophomore, Luther Burden III is the top offensive player for the Missouri Tigers. In nine games played this year, Burden already ranks top 10 in the nation for both receiving yardage (958) and receptions (64). Simply, he is in striking range for the Biletnikoff Award with only three games left in the regular season.

Burden was a two-sport star in high school, excelling in basketball as well. You can see how some of that has transitioned to his game on the gridiron, using speed, spacing and timing to get open. That allowed Burden to compile five consecutive games with over 100 yards receiving earlier in the year, topping out at 10 catches for 177 yards versus the Memphis Tigers.

Being that Burden has scored in each of Missouri's past two contests (including a 39-yard strike against the reigning-champion Georgia Bulldogs last week), he'll look to keep that going to close out the regular season. Still, playing in the SEC always offers an unrelenting schedule.

At eight-to-one odds in the Biletnikoff market on FanDuel Sportsbook, Burden is right on the cusp of frontrunner and longshot. If the Missouri wideout can output a game-changing performance this weekend against Tennessee, maybe -- just maybe -- we see this race constrict down the stretch.

Longshots

• Rome Odunze, Washington (+1600)

• Troy Franklin, Oregon (+1600)

• Keon Coleman, Florida State (+3500)

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.