There are two big moves on the Heisman Trophy front this week – one up, one down.
The player moving up is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The 6-foot-5 redshirt junior has led the Hoosiers to a best-ever No. 2 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll with their 7-0 record.
The player moving down is Miami’s Carson Beck. The Hurricanes QB threw four interceptions (actually five as one was called back) in the then-second-ranked Hurricanes’ 24-21 loss to unranked Louisville.
Accordingly, noted oddsmaker Danny Sheridan has updated his favorites for the Heisman Trophy – and Beck is no longer atop his list.
Here are his top candidates to be accepting that coveted trophy in New York City on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. on ESPN:
Fernando Mendoza – 4:1
The Miami Columbus graduate and Cal transfer passed for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win against Michigan State. On the season, he has passed for 1,755 yards with 21 TDs and 2 interceptions while completing 73.5 percent – and is now projected to be the first quarterback selected in the NFL Draft.
Julian Sayin – 4:1
The Ohio State QB completed 36 of 42 passes for 393 yards and four touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 34-0 victory against Wisconsin. The redshirt freshman has completed 80 percent of his passes (156 of 193) with 19 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season.
Ty Simpson – 4:1
That Alabama loss to Florida State in August is dwindling every week and the Crimson Tide’s QB has a lot to do with it. Simpson passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee, giving him 18 on the year – and only one interception.
Jeremiah Smith – 15:1
Ohio State’s wide receiver caught nine passes for 97 yards vs. the Badgers. Unless he also starts to play cornerback, his Heisman odds will continue to dip.
Dante Moore – 20:1
His Heisman chances took a shot after the loss to Indiana, but the Oregon QB threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 49 yards in last week’s win over Rutgers.
Carson Beck – 30:1
You can’t lose to a two-touchdown underdog in your home stadium – and turn the ball over four times – on national TV and not expect to fall in the Heisman race. If Miami wins out and Beck plays well, he certainly can climb back into the Heisman talk.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza atop Heisman favorites, Carson Beck drops after UM’s loss to Louisville
Reporting by Nick Pugliese, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
