Overview
- ESPN announced four finalists: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
- Mendoza led unbeaten Indiana to a 13-0 season and a 13-10 Big Ten championship win over Ohio State, and he enters the week as the runaway betting choice at major sportsbooks.
- Pavia’s case features 3,192 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions plus 826 rushing yards and nine scores for 10-2 Vanderbilt, with his coach lobbying publicly and Deion Sanders signaling support.
- Vanderbilt’s quarterback reposted a late‑season stat comparison with Mendoza, while Indiana players countered that an undefeated record and a conference title strengthen their teammate’s résumé.
- Sayin set the nation’s top completion rate during a 12-1 Ohio State campaign and Love ranked among FBS leaders in rushing, with the winner to be revealed Saturday in New York.