How the top four Heisman contenders stack up with a month to go

With only one month remaining, the college football regular season is entering its home stretch and some players are beginning to separate themselves in the race for the Heisman Trophy, set to be awarded on Dec. 13.

Here are the top four Heisman favorites as of Friday, per FanDuel.

The Buckeyes sophomore QB has been sensational this season with 2,188 passing yards, the third-most passing TDs (23) and only three interceptions. His QBR (90.9) is the best in the country and he has already led top-ranked Ohio State (8-0) to key victories over then-No. 1 Texas and No. 17 Illinois.

He has accounted for multiple TD passes in every game since the season-opening win over the Longhorns and has completed as least 85% of his throws in four of Ohio State’s eight games.

Having the nation’s best receiver in Jeremiah Smith (725 yards, nine TDs) does not hurt, but Sayin has clearly positioned himself well for the sport’s most prestigious honor. A trip to archrival No. 21 Michigan, in the regular-season finale on Nov. 29 could be one last test for Sayin if he wants to stay atop the Heisman Trophy race.

The California transfer has been phenomenal in head coach Curt Cignetti’s system, accounting for the second-most TD passes (25) in the nation. He also has 2,124 passing yards and only four interceptions for the No. 2 Hoosiers (9-0).

Mendoza has only been sacked seven times all season, a large part of the reason he has thrown at least four TD passes in four games this season, all without throwing a single interception in those games.

A favorable schedule may not allow Mendoza to pass the eye test against stiffer competition until a potential Big Ten championship game showdown with the Buckeyes, but he has done more than enough to stay in contention.

Simpson may have fewer TD passes (20) than the two QBs ahead of him, but has only accounted for one interception, all while being sacked 14 times.

Since the surprise season-opening loss to unranked Florida State, Simpson has completed at least 70% of his passes in four games, including a perfect 17-of-17 against Louisiana-Monroe. He also led the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide (7-1) to four consecutive wins over ranked opponents, a stretch that included nine TD passes and his lone interception of the season.

That alone is impressive enough, but with No. 12 Oklahoma coming to Tuscaloosa in Week 12, Simpson has more opportunities to improve his case for the Heisman.

At this stage, Reed is the least likely of the four to win the award based on where he is at, but this has still been a remarkable season for him. He has 1,972 yards and 17 TDs passing to go along with 349 yards and six TDs on the ground.

The dual-threat approach has been the story the last four games with at least a passing and rushing TD in each one. The six interceptions, including two against then-No. 20 LSU in his most recent outing, have been an issue at times, but with a team that is winning in all three phases, Reed has played a key role for Texas A&M (8-0) in its playoff push.