Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin led the No. 1 Buckeyes to a routine 38-14 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in Week 10 action. Sayin went 20-of-23 for 316 yards, resulting in four touchdowns.
After his stellar performance, Sayin surged to the top of the 2025 Heisman Trophy favorites (+160), overtaking Indiana Hoosiers’ quarterback Fernando Mendoza (+250) and Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simposn (+450).
Analyst Picks Julian Sayin As Heisman Favorite
During Monday’s segment of the “Joel Klatt” show, analyst Joel Klatt revealed his reasons for picking Sayin as his Heisman favorite over Mendoza and Simpson.
“Julian Sayin right now is your betting favorite to win the Heisman,” Klatt said. “Everything that he does is controlled, accurate and he does with urgency. He’s leading the nation with 80% completion, by almost 7%. The next is Demond Williams from Washington. He’s second in yards per attempt, he’s first in passer efficiency rating. This guy gets it done. I believe that it’s the most elite passing in college football, and that even takes into consideration Alabama.
“Obviously, Simpson’s (Ty) gonna be involved, Fernando Mendoza’s gonna be involved, Marcel Reed’s gonna be involved. It’s gonna turn into this SEC- Big Ten type of conversation.”
“I believe that it’s the most elite passing game in college football, and that even takes into consideration Alabama.”@joelklatt on Julian Sayin as the Heisman frontrunner, and the Big Ten-SEC conversation that may ensue in this year’s race. pic.twitter.com/Qr13eHV3q6
— The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football on FOX Pod (@JoelKlattShow) November 3, 2025
Fernando Mendoza was imperious in Indiana’s 55-10 drubbing of the Maryland Terrapins and has registered 2,124 passing yards on 72.3% completion, four interceptions and 25 touchdowns, while adding 220 rushing yards and four scores. Ty Simpson has thrown for 2,184 yards on 67.8% completion, 20 touchdowns and one interception, while adding 79 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Ryan Day Makes Case for Sayin Heisman Campaign
After backing up quarterback Will Howard during Ohio State’s national championship-winning season, Julian Sayin has grasped the QB1 spot to become the Heisman favorite this season. The Buckeyes quarterback has tallied 2,188 passing yards, three interceptions and 23 touchdowns.
During his postgame news conference after the win against Penn State, coach Ryan Day made a case for Sayin to be in the conversation for the prestigious trophy.
“If Julian continues to play the way that he’s playing, he deserves to be in the [Heisman] conversation, at the very least,” Day said.
The Sayin hype is picking up steam, with former Alabama coach Nick Saban admitting on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday that he regretted putting the quarterback in the scouting team when he played for the Crimson Tide before departing for Ohio State.