Heisman Trophy Odds: Fernando Mendoza Rockets into Heisman Conversation After Illinois Beatdown
The 2025 Heisman race is continuing to build, with five quarterbacks still leading the way. John Mateer is maintaining a slight lead, but a new challenger in Fernando Mendoza has burst onto the scene. Peter Alexis examines the Heisman trophy leaderboard and the upcoming opponents for these top teams.
Peter Alexis - September 23, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT
5 Minute ReadHeisman Trophy Odds: Fernando Mendoza Challenges John Mateer for Heisman Race Leader
Week 4 of the college football season was billed as a separation week, and it delivered with statement wins across the board. Indiana put the nation on notice with a 63-10 dismantling of No. 9 Illinois, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza was at the center of it all, piling up touchdowns in a dominant performance that has rocketed him into the thick of the Heisman race.
Meanwhile, John Mateer continues to hold the slightest edge after guiding Oklahoma to another ranked victory, this time against No. 24 Auburn. Mateer’s blend of efficiency and leadership in close games has kept him on top of the board, but Mendoza is now right on his heels as sportsbooks adjust.
The race is still wide open, with Dante Moore making noise at +1200 and SEC names like Gunner Stockton and Carson Beck both sitting at +1500 after strong showings. With most of the frontrunners taking on big-time opponents in Week 5, the stage is set for more gaudy stat lines and highlight-reel plays. The question is whether anyone can pull away from the pack, or if this season’s Heisman will remain a week-to-week tug-of-war.
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Heisman Trophy Odds
Heisman Trophy Odds Breakdown
John Mateer (+900) Click here to bet on John Mateer at FanDuel
John Mateer continues to be the man to beat ever since he took over following Week 2. The Sooners beat Michigan earlier this month, propelling him to first place. Now it's starting to get even clearer, although the odds have remained steady. Mateer has Oklahoma loaded with two ranked wins in the first month of the season, but they do have a collection of challenging matchups coming up.
The Sooners have a bye and then one last freebie against Kent State before starting up with Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Mizzou, and LSU down the stretch. That's six ranked matchups on the slate as of now, with three of them on the road. Mateer will have to earn his lead in the Heisman race.
Fernando Mendoza (+950) Click here to bet on Fernando Mendoza at FanDuel
The Indiana Hoosiers put the Big Ten and whole country on blast this week when they took down the No. 9 Fighting Illini in an embarrassing 63-10 rout. Mendoza threw for over 250 yards and a whopping five touchdowns in this ranked showdown at home, and the Hoosiers cleared the -6.5 spread by nearly 50 points.
If Indiana keeps winning with style, Mendoza will stay in the Heisman mix. He came from out of nowhere to these now second-place odds of +950. Mateer may still be the slight leader, but Mendoza has 14 touchdowns on the year, making him the leader in the entire country. Mendoza can extend his hot start with a big win over Iowa this week on the road.
Dante Moore (+1200) Click here to bet on Dante Moore at FanDuel
The Oregon Ducks have their biggest game of the season this week, and will need the high-flying offense to continue when they visit the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. Moore has nearly 1000 yards passing and 11 touchdowns on the season, and just pieced up rival Oregon State for 300 yards and four scores in a 41-7 blowout. The Ducks have had no trouble on offense so far, but haven't faced anyone like Penn State yet. They are +3.5 point underdogs on the road, and this will either launch or sink his Heisman stock this week.
Gunnar Stockton (+1500) Click here to bet on Gunnar Stockton at DraftKings
Georgia had a bye in Week 4 after the huge win over Tennessee, giving them extra time to get ready for No. 17 Alabama. The 5th-ranked Dawgs and Stockton are -3 favorites in this SEC showdown, with Georgia looking for revenge after a show-stopping loss to Ryan Williams and Bama with seconds remaining last year. A win here with several rushing touchdowns for Stockton would elevate him into the top-3 of the Heisman race.
Carson Beck (+1500) Click here to bet on Carson Beck at FanDuel
Carson Beck won in Week 4, taking the Miami Hurricanes to 4-0, but his odds ticked down considerably. Beck was a co-leader with John Mateer last week, but even with a win over the Florida Gators, his odds have fallen from +900 to +1500.
He only had 160 yards passing, no touchdowns, -7 rushing yards, and threw an interception, which is largely why his stock has fallen here. He will have an opportunity to build it back in Week 6 when the Canes visit the top-10 Florida State Seminoles, and they'll get ready with a bye this week.
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