Overview
- Indiana’s quarterback led a 10-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown to Omar Cooper Jr. for a 27-24 win at Penn State, a moment widely labeled Heisman-defining.
- Sportsbooks show a near dead heat: BetMGM and bet365 list Mendoza and Sayin as co-favorites around +175, while FanDuel and Caesars give Sayin a slight edge near +160 over Mendoza around +170.
- ESPN’s betting analysis now calls Mendoza the favorite near +160 but stresses he is far from a lock, citing remaining regular-season games, conference titles, and voter timing in early December.
- Mendoza’s résumé includes roughly 2,342 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, added rushing scores, and an undefeated 10-0 Indiana team, contrasted with Sayin’s record-chasing efficiency and 80%+ completion rate.
- Ty Simpson and Marcel Reed remain in contention on odds boards (generally +350 to +850), while public debate over narrative moments versus season-long metrics has intensified across polls and commentary.