As Fernando Mendoza emerges as Heisman frontrunner, CFB legends weigh in

Throughout Indiana’s 8-0 start, several storylines have begun to follow this Indiana team. Most of them revolve around the Hoosiers’ chances at the Big Ten Championship and their shot at a national title, but one other race has begun to gain legs as IU keeps stacking wins.

That is, of course, Fernando Mendoza’s quest for the Heisman Trophy.

It’s the most prestigious individual award, and the Indiana quarterback is currently one of the favorites to take home the hardware when it’s given out on Dec. 13. To be more exact, he’s the odds-on favorite to win the award, according to BetMGM.

It’s not just oddsmakers and Indiana fans who believe in Mendoza, though, as ahead of the Hoosiers’ rout of UCLA, members of FOX Big Noon Kickoff shared their thoughts on Mendoza’s Heisman campaign.

Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and Mark Ingram explained why Mendoza has a great shot at the award, but also what makes him so effective as a quarterback. Leinart won the Heisman in 2004, while Ingram won in 2009. Quinn was a finalist in both 2005 and 2006, making these three experts on what it takes to take home college football’s crown jewel of individual achievements.

“But, you know, again, the award’s going to go to someone who kind of has that great season and then has some of those Heisman moments. And I think for Fernando, you go back to Oregon and how he played in that game, that’s a huge moment for him. If this thing trends the way I think it’s going to,” Quinn said last Friday.

Ingram mentioned the matchup with the Ducks as well. The former Heisman winner, as well as one of Curt Cignetti’s former players at Alabama, mentioned that it was a huge game in terms of Mendoza’s Heisman odds.

“Anytime that you can have an undefeated team and go on the road to Oregon and win, and then obviously just be successful in the way you manage the game, being able to throw the ball, being able to run the ball with your legs, just being complementary, that allows you to keep winning games. And if you keep putting up good numbers, then at the end of the day, you’re going to be in that conversation,” he explained.

RELATED: Fernando ‘Heis-Mendoza’ justifies national recognition in rout over Michigan State

Mendoza and Indiana’s win at Oregon in Week 7 was certainly a moment to showcase his skill on the national stage, but he’s been sensational all season long. Among FBS quarterbacks, Mendoza is first in passing touchdowns (24), second in quarterback rating (188.5), fifth in completion percentage (72.9%) and 27th in total passing yards (1,923).

Mendoza’s four instances of throwing for three-plus touchdowns are the most in the country, while he’s also added three rushing touchdowns to his already impressive resume. 

On top of all that, Mendoza has led the Hoosiers to an 8-0 record and a No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll, the latter of which is the first such occurrence in Indiana history.

The Heisman may be an individual award, but the committee isn’t in the business of giving the Heisman to someone on a mediocre team. It’s reserved for those on good to great teams, and Mendoza has made sure that the Hoosiers have played up to that standard.

He’s not focused on the award, though, as he’s always team-first, and the Heisman may just be a byproduct of his talent and leadership.

“Indiana’s got a great leader in him. He’s a great leader, great kid,” Leinart said about Mendoza. “But he’s a hell of a player. He’s a great kid. Gosh, just what a great head on his shoulders.”

Mendoza’s combination of physical talent and mental intelligence is unique. It’s not something that comes around often, and it’s resulted in those around the college football world taking notice of just how special Indiana’s quarterback is.

He’s shot up draft boards, but of course, it’s brought him to the forefront of the Heisman conversation. And as someone who plays for Indiana, it becomes even more impressive.

The Hoosiers have never had a Heisman winner in their 100-plus-year history. Running back Anthony Thompson finished second in 1989 as the closest Indiana has come to having a player win the award, while quarterback Kurtis Rourke finished ninth in the voting last year.

Mendoza hopes to be the first Hoosier to ever win the award, but he still has the rest of the season to prove that he’s the one worthy of being deemed the best college football player in the country. Because the Heisman is voted on after conference championship weekend, a possible Big Ten title appearance could make all the difference in Mendoza’s Heisman future.

“If they continue to do what they’re doing, which I imagine they will, and they’re probably going to play Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, that’s the stage that’s set for him to win the Heisman Trophy. It just is. That’s what it will be,” Leinart told reporters.

Early Look: Meet Indiana’s Week 10 opponent, Maryland

Mendoza will never look ahead, though. He takes everything day by day and week by week, with the next opponent always being the most important game of the season. He’s humble at every turn, and an individual award like the Heisman is never on his radar.

But like it or not, Mendoza is a true frontrunner for the award. He and Julian Sayin might be on a collision course headed toward the Big Ten Championship, with the winner possibly taking home the Heisman Trophy away from the other.

“That’s another opportunity right before the Heisman, where you’re going to get a lot of people watching that game intently to see how Sayin plays, how Fernando plays, and who ends up getting the edge on that,” Quinn mentioned on Friday.

Mendoza is a phenomenal quarterback, as well as a strong leader with an exceptional mind. He may never admit it, but winning a Heisman Trophy would be monumental — not only for him and his football future, but for Indiana to edge even closer to truly becoming an elite program.

Take it from two Heisman winners, as well as a Heisman finalist — Mendoza is the real deal. It’s no guarantee that he’ll win the award, but he has as good a shot as anyone else in the country, and if Indiana keeps playing like it has this season, a Hoosier could end up as the Heisman winner.

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