US LBM Coaches Poll: Texas A&M pushes for No. 2
USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest US LBM Coaches Poll and why Texas A&M has a case for No. 2 over Indiana
The race for the 2025 Heisman Trophy is becoming clearer through 11 weeks of the college football season.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is catching fire at the right time, entering Week 12 as the leader in betting odds for the Heisman Trophy. The redshirt freshman is looking to become the first Buckeye since Troy Smith (2006) to earn the honors.
However, Sayin has very little room to breathe in the odds. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is a close second after a Heisman moment against Penn State in Week 11, while Alabama’s Ty Simpson does not seem to be going away from the race anytime soon.
Jeremiah Smith ― Sayin’s favorite target ― could also have a say down the stretch, as could Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Here’s a look at the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy through nine weeks in 2025:
Julian Sayin leading way in Heisman odds
Sayin has been in complete control of the Ohio State offense of late, with three straight 300-yard passing games and four in the last five games.
He has completed 83 of 98 passes (84.6%) for 9 touchdowns and 1 interception. He had 303 passing yards with future-NFL Draft first-round pick Carnell Tate missing last week’s game against Purdue.
Here’s a look at Sayin’s stats through Week 11:
- Julian Sayin: 203-of-251 passing (80.9%) for 2,491 yards, 24 touchdowns and four interceptions
Did Fernando Mendoza have a Heisman Trophy moment vs Penn State?
While Mendoza is coming in second place behind Sayin in Heisman Trophy odds as of Tuesday, Nov. 11, Mendoza might have had his Heisman moment last weekend in Indiana’s comeback victory over Penn State.
Mendoza delivered the game-winning touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. as he was being hit by a Nittany Lion defender, with 15 seconds left to give the Hoosiers the 27-24 lead. That play could be what voters remember if Sayin falters and Indiana finishes the season undefeated.
Ty Simpson, Marcel Reed, Diego Pavia still in picture for Heisman race
While Sayin leads the way and Mendoza is in second, don’t count out signal-callers Ty Simpson (Alabama), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) just yet. All three have their teams alive for the CFP.
Most notably, Reed and the Aggies are still undefeated. If Texas A&M finishes the regular season with an undefeated record, Reed will be in the top four and at the stage in New York for the Heisman Trophy. If he can finish the season with strong numbers, he can cement his argument for the honors.
Jeremiah Smith rising after big performance vs Purdue
Smith entered Week 11 tied with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and Notre Dame running back with the eighth-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +4000.
However, a 10-reception, 137-yard performance with his 10th touchdown of the season helped Smith’s odds move in the right direction. He enters Week 12 tied for fifth with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia with +2500 odds to win the trophy.
On the season, Smith has 65 catches for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a freshman last season, he had 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Heisman Trophy odds list
Here are the odds from BetMGM, as of Tuesday, Nov. 11:
- 1. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State: +160
- 2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana, +175
- 3. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: +550
- 4. Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M: +750
- T-5. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: +2500
- T-5. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt: +2500
- 7. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia: +3000
- 8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: +4000
- T-9. Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech: +100000
- T-9. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss: +100000
