Final Heisman Push: Who Can Make the Biggest Statement This Championship Weekend?
Championship weekend has arrived, and the Heisman Race tightens with one final showcase before the ballots are in. With three quarterbacks putting up elite numbers, the Heisman race is heating up. Championship weekend not only carries major playoff implications but could also be the deciding factor for who wins the Heisman Trophy. Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, and Diego Pavia lead the way and look to have one more statement performance for College Football’s most prestigious individual award.
Fernando Mendoza enters championship weekend as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The Indiana quarterback has had an amazing season, throwing for 2,758 yards and 32 touchdowns, while only throwing five interceptions. Mendoza's outstanding play has led Indiana to a perfect 12-0 record and earned them a spot in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday, against another Heisman contender, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin. His efficiency and leadership make him the frontrunner, and a strong showing against number one-ranked Ohio State could solidify his case as college football's most outstanding player.
Julian Sayin enters championship weekend as one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Sayin has thrown for 3,065 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. The Buckeyes are currently 12-0 and set to face Mendoza and the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship, where a standout performance could shift the odds in Sayin's favor. He leads the nation in completion percentage, completing 78.9% of his passes.
Even though he will not be competing this weekend, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia remains a strong contender in the Heisman race. Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, ranking third in total touchdowns and second in total yards in the nation. Pavia has led the Commodores to a 10-2 record and a slim chance at making the College Football Playoffs. His rushing ability is the reason he has accounted for more yards than Mendoza and Sayin, and he has transformed the entire Vanderbilt program.
Along with these three quarterbacks, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been electric. Love has rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Irish and is a top-four Heisman Candidate. Historically, as the Heisman has been a quarterback award, Love most likely will not win the trophy despite his dominance in rushing the ball. The Big Ten Championship will be an enormous factor and may be the deciding matchup for who wins the award. If Fernando Mendoza or Julian Sayin has a standout performance, the odds could shift to who wins. If it is more of a defensive battle and both quarterbacks play only average, Pavia could leapfrog them and become the favorite, thanks to his season-long production and high yardage totals.
Statistically, this is not one of the strongest Heisman races in recent years. However, it has become one of the closest with multiple candidates worthy of the trophy heading into Championship weekend. Pavia can't do anything more for his resume this weekend, but he has the resume to keep him in the conversation. I think Pavia is most worthy of winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy because he is the most important player on his team, and his dual-threat ability makes him a force to stop on the field. Pavia does not have the same weapons as Mendoza and Sayin, but has still totaled more yards and completely transformed the Vanderbilt Program for the better. That said, a standout performance for either Fernando Mendoza or Julian Sayin could secure their position in the Heisman race and make it difficult for Pavia to overtake them in the voting.
