On3 recently voted Fernando Mendoza as their top QB1 pick, and it’s not hard to see why. Garnished with his 80-yard drive against Penn State, which ended in a game-winning touchdown, his popularity is only gaining more traction. However, Rick Neuheisel is not convinced.

On Saturday, with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Indiana was trailing, 20-24. Thriving under that pressure, Mendoza was yet to call it a day. On 3rd & Goal, as the ball snapped, Penn State’s defense hurled towards the quarterback, nearly tackled him, before he threw a beautiful dart to Omar Cooper, who plucked it straight from the air for the touchdown.

Lauding the duo’s grit, compliments poured in as the QBs’ Heisman stock skyrocketed. According to the latest On3 poll, the California transfer is leading the race with 65 points. However, former coach and analyst Rick Neuheisel believes that the QB carousel has been the craziest this season, and the competition is cutthroat.

In a conversation with Dan Patrick, Neuheisel spoke about Fernando’s Heisman-worthy moment. “I would have said yes, ’cause that was quite a stage and quite a dramatic finish and one that got all kinds of play across the country.” However, the 2025 season has given ample Heisman-worthy moments, which the 928 Heisman voters would like to feast on. “This year has been so different with the names that we’re seeing and with the drama unfolding with guys like Diego Pavia, who had an overtime thriller, and Trinidad Chambliss.”

Pavia’s stellar overtime performance at Nashville was another impressive TD drive leading to Vandy’s 45-38 win. The fourth quarter ended in a tie, 38-38, with Cam Coleman’s ridiculous one-handed catch. During overtime, Pavia led 25 25-yard drive, ending in a four-yard game-winning TD pass. In a classic Diego Pavia way, the QB made a comeback in the later minutes.

Similarly, Rebel’s Trinidad Chambliss, who stepped up after Austin Simmons was injured, has had a productive season, winning seven games. Over the weekend, his perfect 49-0 sweep over the Citadel marked another impressive performance.

Julian Sayin was another name Neuheisel put forth, describing him as playing Robin Hood and splitting apples with the arrow.” Ranked No. 1 with a QB rating of 91.1, first-year starter Sayin is another Heisman favorite. 

Although the Heisman carousel is dominated by quarterbacks, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is emerging as a strong candidate. His 94-yard TD sprint left the college football world drooling over his explosiveness. Against the Navy, although he went down, not touching the grass, he got up and ran a beautiful 48 yards into the endzone.

Over the past few weeks, we have seen numerous Heisman-worthy moments, but the award is presented after analyzing their overall performance. Post Week 11, although Mendoza is leading presently. However, others are close, under the top 10, holding fast to their chances. The analyst continued. “It’s going to be fun for voters to vote for going forward. I don’t think we’re done yet.”

Bottom line: The competition is brutal.

Is Fernando Mendoza a Heisman frontrunner?

After chipping in the 7-yard TD throw, Fernando Mendoza proudly beamed, “This is by far the best moment of my career.” But does he hold the best odds? On3 placed him at No. 1, saying, “It was a Heisman Trophy-type moment and may be the signature play of Mendoza’s campaign should he take home the top honors later this fall.”

With the competitive edge, Rick Neuheisel is not sold on Mendoza leading the Heisman race. On the other hand, commentator and analyst Greg McElroy is rooting for the Indiana QB. “That drive… what he just did on the road in Happy Valley is something they’ll be talking about forever,” he said on Always College Football. “The Heisman is often awarded to a guy that has moments, memorable moments in which they carry their team to victory,” he said. “He is currently the favorite, understandably so.”

However, some football fans are not satisfied. The crux of the frustration lies in the fact that Ty Simpson and Julian Sayin, who are ranked behind Mendoza in the latest polls, have more passing yards and interceptions over the weeks. However, Mendoza leads with the highest touchdowns at 24.