Heisman Watch – Week 14

2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior

Mendoza is a lot like Sayin. He’s very accurate too, if not quite as accurate as the Buckeye quarterback. He has something in his wheelhouse Sayin doesn’t, and that’s his ability to be a threat in the running game. While Mendoza is 211 of 293 for 2,758 yards and 32 touchdowns passing, he also has 243 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

3. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior

I hate to say this but Notre Dame probably won’t win another Heisman as long as they’re Independent. Love will be hurt because he’s the only one in the top five not playing this weekend. That 13^th game is huge in any Heisman race that is relatively close. It especially hurts a running back who is already splitting carries like he is with Jadarian Price. Regardless, Love is a finalist for the Heisman and is playing extremely well. He has 199 carries for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also has caught 27 passes for 280 yards and three more touchdowns. Only North Texas’ Caleb Hawkins has score more points this season.

4. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, Linebacker, Senior

Rodriguez is a great defender, but not a Heisman winner, at least not yet. This weekend could still change things, but right now he’s a finalist and should be in New York. He has 104 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, a sack, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles. His area of quiet is filled in by his teammate, David Bailey. Bailey leads college football in sacks with 12.5 and has 16 tackles for a loss. Texas Tech’s defense is legit and led by Rodriguez, even when another player is getting the glory.

5. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback, Freshman

It’s wild to think this young man never played varsity football in high school. He’s 271 of 382 for 3,835 yards and 29 touchdowns. He’s the nation’s leading passer in yards and like Mendoza has some wheels. He’s rushed for five touchdowns this season as well. Mestemaker is a long shot, but an epic game on Friday, a defensive Big Ten Championship and a BYU win on Saturday might be enough to get him to the top of the list.

In the Race

Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

Simpson is really the only one left in these five that’s still in the race, short of Hawkins having a Barry Sanders like day. Ty Simpson would need an even better game against Georgia than the one he had in September, but crazier things have happened. Simpson is 256 of 389 for 3,056 yards and 25 touchdowns, and has two more touchdowns rushing.

Caleb Hawkins, North Texas, Running Back, Freshman

One thing voters may hold against Mestemaker (I don’t know why they do this) is the star power around him. That includes fellow freshman Hawkins. Hawkins also has a case with his 193 carries for 1,216 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing. He also has 28 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns receiving. His 26 touchdowns make him the nation’s leading scorer this season.

Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Running Back, Junior

Cook has gone over 100 yards of total offense in every game this season for Jax State. He has rushed for over 100 yards in 10 of their 12 games. While the Heisman is likely out of reach, two good games in the Conference USA Championship and Jacksonville State’s bowl game might make him a first team all-American. Cook is the nation’s leading rusher with 277 carries for 1,588 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also has 26 receptions for 263 yards.

Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss, Running Back, Sophomore

Lacy has been a touchdown machine for Ole Miss this year. If he and his team were playing for the SEC Championship this Saturday, he’d still have a shot at winning this. But, with their regular season wrapped up, his Heisman hopes are as well. He’s still had a fantastic season. He has 258 rushes for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has 25 catches for 154 yards.

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Quarterback, Senior

The more I think about it, the more I realize SEC voters will likely rally around Pavia, especially since it seems obvious Vanderbilt is about to have their playoff bubble burst. They did the same thing for Jayden Daniels at LSU when the Tigers were out of playoff contention and he had padded his stats a lot against the weaker teams in the conference. Pavia has done the same. He is 242 for 340 for 3,190 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also has 152 carries for 826 yards and nine touchdowns rushing.