Only a few weeks left and the Heisman race refuses to settle. Fernando Mendoza is the favorite, but at +160 he isn't close to locked in. Exactly a year ago, Travis Hunter sat at -400 before finishing the season with the trophy.

SportsLine college football expert Thomas Casale breaks down the latest Heisman Trophy odds ahead of Week 12 of the 2025 college football season

Not a ton changed in the Heisman odds entering Week 12, but it's starting to look like a two-man race between Julian Sayin and Fernando Mendoza.

Fernando Mendoza moved up in the Heisman Trophy race after leading Indiana on a last-minute game-winning drive at Penn State.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been a standout player this season for the Hoosiers. The California Golden Bears transfer has thrown for 2,342 yards, 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions, completing 71.3% of his passes. Additionally, he has contributed 240 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

In a 49-10 rout of Navy, CJ Carr completed 13-of-16 passes for 218 yards and three scores with no turnovers. Simple day, solid numbers, good season. But there's just no marquee game on his résumé. Notre Dame's upcoming clash at Pitt is his final opportunity to make a national award statement.

Why Jeremiah Smith deserves to be the Heisman Trophy frontrunner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Heisman Trophy has been awarded annually to the top player in college football since 1935. But in the modern era, the award seems to go to the best quarterback.

Quarterbacks still dominate the conversation, but a linebacker, two running backs and a few late risers are making their push for college football’s biggest prize.

Sayin is one of four quarterbacks in the top tier of the Heisman race as the regular season enters its home stretch. He, Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and Marcel Reed all boast odds of +650 or better, per FanDuel, to hoist the trophy at next month's ceremony in New York City.

Former Texas Tech star Patrick Mahomes endorsed Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez as a Heisman Trophy finalist after his performance against BYU.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule believes Emmett Johnson should be in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy award, as he told the media on Monday