Overview
- Ohio State has rolled out heightened promotion, including email blasts and coordinated social media, to elevate the Heisman cases of Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.
- Sayin leads the FBS in completion rate at 80.7% and has totaled 2,188 passing yards with 23 touchdowns and three interceptions, including 316 yards and four scores versus Penn State.
- FanDuel lists Sayin as the favorite, and Kalshi probabilities reported by On3 put him at 37% to win, ahead of Fernando Mendoza at 23%, Ty Simpson at 13% and Marcel Reed at 6%.
- The Buckeyes are 8-0 and defending national champions, and a November slate of Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA and Michigan presents both opportunities and risks that could shape final ballots.
- Smith remains a viable non-quarterback contender with 55 receptions for 729 yards and nine touchdowns to date, and he has said he wants the award while keeping team goals first.