As the calendar gets closer to December, the number of college football players still in contention for the Heisman Trophy grows shorter. There are just four weeks left in the season, including championship game Saturday on December 6th.
As things stand right now, these are the three players who are most on track to be invited to New York City for the presentation of the 90th Heisman Trophy.
Julian Sayin, Quarterback, Ohio State
Number of games left to impress the voters: Fourâ¦including the Big Ten title game against second-ranked Indiana.
Most amazing stat: Leads the nation in passing efficiency by 14 points.
As was proven out last year, âThe Gameâ between Ohio State and Michigan doesnât mean everything after all. The Buckeyes looked bad in falling to the Wolverines 13-10, at home no less, and then immediately went on a run to win the National Championship. They didnât even play in the Big Ten title game.
Therefore, what Simpson does or doesnât do at home against UCLA, and then on the road at Rutgers and Michigan wonât decide anything. If he has another big day in the Big House, then yes, that will help. Butâ¦
Game that matters most: vs #2 Indiana in the Big 10 Championship game.
All eyes will be on what figures to be a #1 v #2 match up, and a match up of Heisman hopefuls Sayin and Fernando Mendoza. Sayinâs big advantage is that he has the best pure football player in the nation, Jeremiah Smith, on the other end of his passes.
Ty Simpson, Quarterback, Alabama
Games left to impress the voters: Four, including the SEC title game.
Most amazing stat: Just one interception in almost 300 pass attempts.
The junior QB had an outstanding string of games against ranked opponents in mid-season that thrust him into the Heisman conversation. Remember, Simpson had to win the starting job back in the summer, and then had to win back confidence from the fan base after the Tide got rolled by Florida State in the season opener. Fans (and voters) who donât watch the Tide every week could be excused if they missed some of the good stuff that happened immediately after the pratfall in Tallahassee. And Simpson might lose some support just for taking the field on November 22nd against overmatched Eastern Illinois, regardless of the numbers.
But in between, the Tide will host #11 Oklahoma and then visit arch rival Auburn. Slip up in either of those and heâs fumbles away the Heisman. Stillâ¦
Game that matters most: SEC title game against #3 Texas A&M.
Once again, all eyes will be on the Tide QB in a battle of highly ranked foes. If he stands out against the Aggies, heâs probably got a ticket to NYC waiting for him at the airport.
Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana
Number of games left to impress the voters: Threeâ¦including that Big 10 title game against top-ranked Ohio State.
Most amazing stat: 31 total touchdowns leads the nation.
What happens, and what stats get rolled up against Wisconsin and Purdue wonât move the needle.
Mendoza is a lot like his team. A dark horse. An underdog. The Heisman candidate who comes out of nowhere. A transfer from Cal, all heâs done so far is lead three clutch Big Ten road game fourth-quarter comebacks, including last weekend at Penn State. Heâs second to Simpson in pass efficiency rating. And his amazing last second touchdown pass to beat Penn State last week will be on Hoosier highlight reels forever.
Game that matters most: He could win or lose the Heisman on December 6th in Indianapolis. Standout against the nationâs best defense, and Mendoza may be able to strike the pose.
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