After a turbulent Saturday around college football, the Heisman Trophy race now looks markedly different with only a few weeks to go. Upsets reshaped the landscape, new contenders surged forward, familiar names slipped, and the odds shifted in a big way. Here’s where the top candidates stand after a chaotic Week 12.
As we always do, we count down to the best odds.
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All odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (+3000)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) and Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Rasheem Biles (3) exchange words during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025.
The junior from St. Louis put together another strong performance, this time at Pitt. He carried the ball 23 times for 147 yards and a touchdown, reinforcing his status as the nation’s top running back.
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia (+3000)
Gunner Stockton of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns
It isn’t always polished, but Stockton and Georgia continue to get results. Against Texas, Stockton delivered one of his best outings of the season, throwing for 229 yards, completing 24 of 29 passes, tossing four touchdowns, and adding another score on the ground. He remains firmly in the Heisman conversation.
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Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt (+2000)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 08: Diego Pavia #2 of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses for the Heisman with a fan after an overtime win against the Auburn Tigers at FirstBank Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Pavia benefited from Vanderbilt’s idle week as chaos elsewhere boosted his position. Alabama’s Ty Simpson struggled in a loss to Oklahoma, likely removing him from contention, while Pavia now heads into matchups with Kentucky and Tennessee with a real chance to strengthen his case.
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M (+500)
Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) walks on the field after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Texas A&M authored one of the wildest comebacks imaginable, rallying from a 30–3 deficit to beat South Carolina 31–30. Reed played a major role in both the problem and the solution. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, but he also passed for 439 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Aggies all the way back and preserve their perfect season.
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Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State (+180)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.
Sayin was steady but unspectacular against UCLA, throwing for 184 yards and one touchdown in a 48–10 win. Playing without Carnell Tate and with limited availability from Jeremiah Smith, he still moved to 25 touchdowns on the year and continues to lead the nation in completion percentage. To overtake the current favorite, he’ll likely need standout performances against Rutgers and especially Michigan.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (-110)
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Wiscsonsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
Indiana has turned in a couple of lackluster showings these past two weeks, but Mendoza has stayed poised throughout. He now sits at 30 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and 2,641 passing yards. His game-winning drive against Penn State is widely viewed as his signature Heisman moment. With Indiana and Ohio State appearing headed for a Big Ten Championship game clash, the Heisman implications could be massive between Sayin and Mendoza.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Updated Heisman odds: Where things stand after Week 12 of the season
