On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 12

Indiana star Fernando Mendoza took over in the experts’ Heisman Trophy poll last week, and nothing he did this week caused him to relinquish that spot. He was fantastic yet again and once again leads the race for college football’s top award.

On3 stops to poll its top national analysts for their take on college football’s top award. Voting in this poll are Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell and Charles Power.

Each of the national experts submitted a ballot with his top 10 players on it, and we’ve compiled the results to create a complete ranking using points — 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc. Let’s get into how the rankings unfolded below.

1. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana – 67 points

WEEKEND STATS: 22-of-24 for 299 yards, 4 TD
Mendoza was virtually perfect as a passer in a comfortable win over a Wisconsin team that had quietly built a little momentum. The game was never really in question for the Hoosiers, who have moved to 11-0 on the year.

The stellar quarterback has now accounted for 2,641 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, against just five interceptions. He has also run for 216 yards and five scores. Elite all-around production.

2. QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State – 52

WEEKEND STATS: 23-of-31 for 184 yards, 1 TD
Through perhaps no fault of his own, Sayin is in a weird spot when it comes to the Heisman Trophy because he hasn’t really had any signature “moments.” Ohio State has rolled everyone it has played not named Texas.

Because of that, Sayin just isn’t in the spotlight as much despite producing excellent numbers. Will his 2,675 passing yards and 25 touchdowns be enough? It could at least get him into the finalist mix if all continues to go well.

3. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame – 43

WEEKEND STATS: 23 carries for 147 yards, 1 TD | 2 catches for 20 yards
For the third time in the last four weeks, Love has gone over the 100-yard mark. He has scored a touchdown in every game this season but the opener against Miami, so he’s been remarkably consistent, too.

Love’s numbers don’t come close to matching Ashton Jeanty‘s a year ago, but it’s a different year. He’s clearly the most influential back in the country at this point of the season, which is saying something.

4. QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M – 42

WEEKEND STATS: 22-of-39 for 439 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT | 7 carries for 13 yards
Reed got Texas A&M into some early trouble with two first-half interceptions, allowing South Carolina to build a 30-3 lead in the process. For most teams that would be insurmountable. Reed and company just went to work.

By the time the day was done, Reed had thrown for a season-high 439 yards and three scores. He didn’t use his legs as much against the Gamecocks, but the Aggies still managed to come all the way back for the 31-30 win. Not something you see every day.

5. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – 37

WEEKEND STATS: BYE
Pavia was on a bye this week after putting together arguably his best game of the season in an overtime win over Auburn. In that win, he threw for a season-high 377 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 112 yards and a score.

The veteran quarterback has been the heart and soul of Vanderbilt’s resurgence under coach Clark Lea. Vanderbilt is still entertaining very realistic playoff potentially as a result, too.

6. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama – 26

WEEKEND STATS: 28-of-42 for 326 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Though the numbers on paper look respectable enough, Simpson was off in the game against Oklahoma on Saturday. He threw a pick-six and struggled to hit some very simple completions that would have moved the sticks a number of times.

As a result, Simpson moves down considerably in the On3 experts’ Heisman Trophy polling this week. Simpson’s still on a potential playoff contender, so there’s a lot of stage left to show out on. But he needs to if he wants to get back in the running.

T-7. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – 23

WEEKEND STATS: 4 catches for 40 yards
Smith had a quiet day and appeared to be on a pitch count entering the contest. After suffering a slight tweak, Smith shut it down for the weekend and didn’t play any more in the win over UCLA.

Ryan Day assured reporters the injury precautions were strictly that. He doesn’t fear any sort of long-term impact for Smith, who is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark (just 98 yards short) for the season.

T-7. QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech – 23

WEEKEND STATS: 26-of-24 for 371 yards, 1 TD | 15 carries for 53 yards
King didn’t post the kind of touchdown numbers he has at other times during this season, but he was still very good in a tight game against Boston College. More impressive than any of the numbers themselves was the fact that King executed in the fourth quarter when it mattered.

Heisman Trophy caliber players are capable of elevating the entire team around them. King did that on Saturday in the win over the Eagles. And his numbers are elite, too — 2,259 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, as well as 807 rushing yards and 14 scores.

9. QB Gunner Stockton, Georgia – 22

WEEKEND STATS: 24-of-29 for 229 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT | 6 carries for 29 yards, 1 TD
For the second time in a month, Stockton managed to account for five total touchdowns in a game against a top 10 team. Somehow, he seems little bit stuck in the Sayin mold where he’s not getting quite the recognition he maybe should.

Stockton has Georgia trending toward a first-round playoff bye currently. He’s also thrown for 2,268 yards and 19 scores (against three interceptions), while rushing for 350 yards and eight touchdowns. On a top-tier team? Don’t be surprised if you start to hear Stockton’s name more down the stretch. He’s deserving.

10. QB Dante Moore, Oregon – 20

WEEKEND STATS: 27-of-30 for 306 yards, 2 TD
Moore played on Friday night against Minnesota and was pretty close to perfect. He threw only three incompletions all night and was sacked just once. As a result, Oregon rolled.

Moore is right in the range of some of the other Heisman Trophy hopefuls on this list in terms of stats. But he might still need more standout moments to get into contention as the award voting looms closer. He has 2,190 passing yards and 21 touchdowns (five interceptions), as well as 183 yards rushing.

Rest of the Heisman Trophy Poll

11. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss – 14
12. EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech – 9
13. WR Makai Lemon, USC – 3
14. QB Jayden Maiava, USC – 2
15. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech – 1