Ohio State keeps winning, and Julian Sayin keeps putting up video-game numbers, yet the Heisman conversation isn’t tilting his way. Instead of being rewarded for near-perfect efficiency, Sayin suddenly finds himself penalized for it. With the field chasing highlight-reel moments and dramatic finishes, his clean, clinical performances have created a strange dilemma: he might be too good to win the award.

Julian Sayin was given a reality check by ESPN’s betting expert Pamela Maldonado. “The gist is that Ohio State winning alone is not enough. Voters need to feel something, and right now, he has zero emotional imprint on the season. He’s efficient, clean, and technically superior, but where’s the drama?” she said. Delivering a massive blow to the Sophomore Quarterback’s Heisman aspirations. Even after being in the top 5 among other probables, he has been unable to make it to the top.

It looks like Julian Sayin’s perfection and efficiency are keeping him from winning the prize reserved for the best player in College football. He is a close second to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is a 130-point favourite to win the trophy, compared to Sayin’s 170. Mendoza had a career-defining drive late in their come-from-behind victory over Penn State. He carried the Hoosiers nearly the entire length of the field to overcome a 4-point deficit against Penn State. But the irony is, Mendoza was fairly average in the rest of the game as he completed 19 of 30 passes for 218 yards and that eventful TD after conceding an interception. While Julian Sayin completely decimated the same defense, registering 316 yards for 4 touchdowns, completing 20 of his 23 passes. And all this happened just a week ago.  

It seems unfair for Julian Sayin, as he is having NFL-like numbers this season. He has a completion percentage of more than 80, averaging 300 yards every game and throwing 28 touchdowns so far. His nemesis, Fernando Mendoza, has been inconsistent but has provided some aesthetically pleasing and attention-grabbing moments. The question that arises is whether the race is all about singular moments or an overall disciplined campaign. Going by the voting trends and Pamela Maldonado’s statement, it’s the former.

Although three games remain in the regular season, followed by conference championship games and the playoffs, the competition is far from over. This gives teams ample opportunity to go head-to-head and determine who is truly the best. Adding to the doubts about Julian Sayin’s abilities is the presence of wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who is a contender in his own right. Smith is an elite receiver who performs even better when paired with Sayin. Their partnership is the backbone of OSU’s offense and their unbeaten run; however, it also means they may cancel each other out in the Heisman race. In contrast, Mendoza benefits from having good receivers who may not be as extraordinary, giving him an edge in the competition.

All in all, the race for the Heisman Trophy is on and is bound to get more interesting by each passing week. This narrative has pulled numerous analysts to make predictions of their own. Joining the list is Urban Meyer, as he picked Jeremiah Smith as his winner.

Urban Meyer changes his pick for the Heisman trophy

Urban Meyer has always been vocal with his predictions. After meticulously analysing performances of all the stakeholders, he has delivered his verdict on the Heisman race. The former Ohio State coach changed his frontrunner recently; he had Julian Sayin at #1 and was all praises for him. “If he continues, I would have to say he’ll win the Heisman,” Meyer said. But he has silently replaced him with Jeremiah Smith.“So, mine, in order, are the best football player in the country, and I would probably challenge anybody to the best player in America is Jeremiah Smith,” he said.

Jeremiah Smith has emerged as a legitimate Heisman contender even before the season began, following an impressive 2024 season filled with championship victories. In his freshman year, Smith set Ohio State’s record for receptions by a freshman, totaling 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has continued his strong performance this season, recording 65 receptions for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns. Smith’s candidacy is particularly notable as he is only the third wide receiver in recent years to seriously compete for the Heisman, following DeVonta Smith’s 2020 win and Travis Hunter’s victory in 2024. They have demonstrated that being a wide receiver can be a legitimate pathway to winning the award.

The Trio of  Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, and Fernando Mendoza is joined by a host of other talented players. Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide maintains top-5 viability through his impressive 1 interception across the season. That with his 21 touchdowns and ranked wins over Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri on the nation’s strongest schedule makes him a strong contender. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) emerges as a dark-horse with 2,193 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, a completion rate just over 62%, and a QBR of 78.2.