The Heisman Trophy race has shifted in the Big Ten’s favor, with Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza now emerging as favorites to win college football’s most prestigious individual award. Odds makers have placed both quarterbacks at the top of the betting boards, indicating that the one of the nation’s most competitive conference races could also determine the winner of the sport’s highest honor.
The Big Ten hasn’t produced a Heisman winner since 2006, when Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith claimed the trophy after leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season. Nearly two decades later, another Ohio State quarterback is in position to follow in his footsteps with the Indiana star right beside him.
The case for Ohio State’s Julian Sayin
Sayin, the sophomore signal-caller who took over in Columbus this season, has lived up to his five-star billing. He’s been surgical and composed, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdowns in a 34–0 win over Wisconsin on Saturday that turned heads among voters and sportsbooks alike.
Sayin’s mix of accuracy, maturity and big-game presence has made him the face of Ohio State’s national title push. He has surpassed his teammate Jeremiah Smith and is now the the Buckeyes’ leading candidate for the Heisman because of throws like this:
