After 14 weeks of what was expected to be one of the wackiest Heisman races ever in a season filled with parity, it has ended up being pretty clear cut. In fact, when it comes down to final moments, one game could truly be the deciding factor: the Big Ten championship. There is consensus agreement that the winning quarterbaack will earn the prestigious award. Still, kudos deserves to be given to the potential finalists as well because of their dazzling play all season long. Here are the final Heisman odds for our potential five finalists headed to New York.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana(+105)
Stats: 8-15, 117 yds, 2 TDs, 2 carries, 27 yds, 1 TD
Conference Championship: vs Ohio State
He has the moment. He has the most total touchdowns in the country. Now he just needs the signature win on his resume. The fact that Fernando Mendoza has come this far as an Indiana player is incredible to behold. For a program looking for its first outright conference title since 1945, no matter what, Mendoza has done Indiana proud. In order to officially be crowned Indiana’s first ever Heisman winner, he has to prove he quarterbacks the best team in the country when Ohio State comes to town looking to ruin their perfect season.
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State(+155)
Stats: 19-26, 233 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Conference Championship: vs Indiana
Being one of college football’s most quietly efficient quarterback in a dominant season for your team is one thing. Finally vanquishing your bitter rival after four years of failure is another, and has pushed Sayin’s Heisman candidacy into the fore. With a big game in the snow for his Buckeyes, he now has the signature moment that Heisman voters relish. Still, even if Sayin posts insane numbers in the Big Ten championship game and Ohio State goes on to a dominant victory, some might say he shouldn’t deserve it because he had no one true game-winning moment like Mendoza has had. Still, when you prove you’re the best quarterback on the best team in the country without truly being tested, while posting incredible efficiency stats in the process, that could be more than enough.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt(+400)
Stats: 18-28, 268 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 20 carries, 165 yds, 1 TD
Conference Championship: N/A
It has certainly been fun watching Diego Pavia play college football. After all, he has led a previously moribund Commodores program to its highest heights while dazzling with electrifying play. As a result, the Commodores have their first 10-win season in school history and Pavia has almost certainly clinched a spot in New York as a Heisman finalist. Unfortunately for him, becoming a Heisman finalist may be all that he has to clinch as Vanderbilt may get lost in a logjam of two-loss teams jockeying for a spot in the CFP. For Vanderbilt fans however, they can’t help but cherish Pavia for what he’s done for the program no matter what.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame(+1600)
Stats: 14 carries, 66 yds, 1 TD
Conference Championship: N/A
A lot of people genuinely thought that if Jeremiyah Love had yet another 100+ yard performance, he would have a real shot at winning the Heisman. However, his final game and chance to impress Heisman voters was cut short as he was forced out of the game late due to injury. Nobody will know if he had another 100 yard game to close out the season, but as an independent, Notre Dame will be sitting on the sidelines during conference championship weekend. Now, questions have shifted from a potential Heisman win for Love to concersn over his health and his readiness for a first round playoff game.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State(+20000)
Stats: 3 receptions, 40 yds, 1 TD
Conference Championship: vs Indiana
The other Jeremiah in the race completes the final five, but questions of whether or not it will be a deserve appearance abound. On a team with players who have somewhat outshined him this season, it has been tough to stand out as much as he did his freshman year. Even in a Big Ten conference championship win and scenario where he is the leading receiver and scores several touchdowns, it will be Julian Sayin who benefits most from it. While it’s a nice thing to put on one’s resume, Smith feels like he snuck in the back door to earn a trip to New York.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Updated Heisman odds after Week 14
