Heisman predictions

It’s that time of year. The time when every analyst in the world who covers college football gets excited for. It’s time for Heisman predictions. With just three weeks left of the regular season, five players and an honorable mention stand above the rest as clear-cut favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.

Honorable Mention. Jeremiah Love: Running Back, Notre Dame

There is no doubt that Jeremiah Love is the best running back in college football. Although he may not be dominating in every statistical category, Love has led the No.12 Fighting Irish to a revitalization after a 0-2 start.

In Notre Dame’s most recent game against the No.20 USC Trojans, Love had his best game of the season and possibly of his career. Against the Trojans’ defense, Love rushed for 228 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

Despite not having any other 200-yard performances this season, other dominant showings have allowed Love to amass 758 yards, nine touchdowns, and an average of 6.1 yards per carry on 124 carries in seven games for the Fighting Irish.

5. Diego Pavia: Quarterback, Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia is singlehandedly the greatest thing to ever happen to Vanderbilt University. Well before the arrival of Pavia from New Mexico State, Vanderbilt was known as the laughing stock of the SEC (Southeastern Conference).

Since then, the Commodores have climbed all the way up to the No.9 ranking in the country after defeating Missouri at home.

In that game against the Tigers, you wouldn’t have thought that Pavia was a Heisman contender. Despite having 129 yards for no touchdowns and one interception, Pavia’s response to a question after the game about whether he believed that he should win the Heisman was “Hell yeah, I believe it.”

One game does not tell the whole story. Pavia has been extremely consistent this season and he even contributed to the downfall of Brian Kelly at LSU. On the season, Pavia has 1,698 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions, which gives him an 82.2 QBR (quarterback rating) that is 12th in the nation.

4. Marcel Reed: Quarterback, Texas A&M

Marcel Reed is Johnny Manziel without the off-the-field issues. With that, Reed is also one of the most electric players in college football. At 6-1 and 185 pounds, Reed’s measurables are not eye-popping. But he makes up for his lack of size with a perfect blend of speed, arm strength, and accuracy.

This blend of talent has allowed Reed to carry the Aggies to an 8-0 and the No.3 spot in the top 25. Even though he had four straight games with one interception, Reed has managed to keep his team atop the SEC, which many call the toughest conference in college football.

Reed and the Aggies have beaten two ranked teams thus far, and they still have to face two more in Missouri and Texas.

On the season, Reed has 1,972 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions and the 21st-ranked QBR with a 76.3.

3. Julian Sayin: Quarterback, Ohio State

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, a phrase that embodies Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. After probably the most boring No.2 vs No.1 I have ever seen, college football fans were counting out Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State’s Sayin. Although Manning has struggled, it’s a different story for Sayin.

What sets Sayin apart is his ability to make tough throws and make them accurately. Whether it’s a tough route to throw, a tone of pressure, or a receiver who is seemingly blanketed, Sayin almost always finds a way to make the perfect throw.

What holds Sayin back is a factor he can’t control, the strength of the schedule. So far, Sayin has beaten a Texas team that has had a major fall from grace and the No.17 Illinois Fighting Illini.

The only other ranked team on the Buckeyes’ schedule will be for The Game against the currently ranked No.21 Michigan Wolverines. Because of this, Sayin will have to be nearly perfect to secure the Heisman. In the year, Sayin has 1,872 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only three interceptions and the 5th best QBR of 87.9.

2. Ty Simpson: Quarterback, Alabama

Ladies and gentlemen, Alabama football might be back. And head coach Kalen DeBoer owes quarterback Ty Simpson a steak dinner as he has saved DeBoer’s job. This season, the Crimson Tide have beaten four ranked opponents and Simpson has dominated every single time.

Perhaps Simpson’s most lethal trait is his feet. In the pocket, Simpson can move quickly to properly adjust and make throws. On top of that, he can extend plays and when he does run, he flies.

With his mobility and arm talent tacked on to his strong intangibles, Simpson has 2,184 yards, 20 touchdowns, just one interception, and a QBR of 81.9, which puts him at 13th in the country.

1. Fernando Mendoza: Quarterback, Indiana

Head coach Curt Cignetti led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever College Football Playoff Appearance last season. Since being eliminated by Notre Dame in the first round, the Hoosiers haven’t lost a game.

Apart from Cignetti, much of the credit is due to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who finds himself as the frontrunner for the Heisman.

Since coming over from Cal, Mendoza has thrown for 1,923 yards, 24 touchdowns, three interceptions, posted the 4th best QBR of 88.6 and given the Hoosiers the No.2 spot in the top 25.

At 6’5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza is proof that pocket passers are still cool. However, much like Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Mendoza can take off and make plays with his legs.

When he’s in the pocket, Mendoza uses his arm strength to throw rockets to his receivers. Mendoza, dare I say, is the complete package at the quarterback position.

Max Malec is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mvm7264@psu.edu.