Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza making noise in Heisman Trophy race

The race for the 2025 Heisman Trophy has shaken out in a much different manner than many likely expected, at least four weeks into the 2025 college football season.

Sure, some of the expected names are in the hunt. Miami quarterback Carson Beck is in the hunt. Star Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is there. There was absolutely hype around Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer heading into this season, and it's worth noting that at this point, Mateer has the best odds (+700) to win the trophy, according to BetMGM.

Many originally thought this would be a three-person race between Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. 

Manning and Nussmeier still have time to make their case, but perhaps nobody saw Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza joining the fray.

That is the case as of right now, though, because according to BetMGM, Mendoza has the second-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +900.

Indiana is 4-0 and ranked No. 11 in the country and the Hoosiers are coming off a dominant, 63-10, win over No. 23 Illinois. 

In that game, Mendoza completed 21-of-23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns. 

Mendoza has been incredibly efficient for Indiana

It was an incredibly efficient game from the redshirt junior who transferred in from California. Mendoza has now thrown for 975 yards and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions.

That's clearly why he's in the Heisman hunt right now. That efficiency is incredible. Mendoza is 11th in college football with a quarterback rating of 84.5.

Can he keep up that pace and remain a Heisman contender?

Dan Santaromita of "The Athletic" does think Mendoza has a chance.

"While he ranks outside the top 30 in the country in passing yards, Mendoza leads the country in passing touchdowns with 14," Santaromita recently wrote. "The Hoosiers still have trips to Oregon and Penn State on the schedule, so he will have more chances against top opposition ahead."

Those games against the No. 6 Oregon Ducks on the road and the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions will absolutely define Mendoza's Heisman Trophy candidacy, as well as Indiana's College Football Playoff hopes.

If Mendoza can outduel Dante Moore (+1200) and Drew Allar (+3000), he just may find himself in New York when all is said and done.