"The Big Ten title game is the final checkpoint where Mendoza simply has to avoid the kind of meltdown that rewrites a season's entire emotional arc. Mendoza has confirmed his spot. That's the difference between a statistical favorite and a narrative winner. The voters already saw the moment that defined the year, which means he doesn't need more volume or another highlight. He just needs to stay neutral. As long as Mendoza stays upright, the award is in his hands."
"But here comes Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, the late-season missile who just made the biggest jump of the season and forced his way into the conversation. The board is moving again, and the narrative is shifting, but if you like Mendoza and want better value than his current price, there's a smarter way to bet him than the outright."
Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman favorite, and his odds shortened again even during a bye week, indicating sustained market confidence and voter sentiment. Mendoza's existing defining moment has insulated him from needing additional highlights; he must avoid a damaging meltdown in the Big Ten title game to secure the award. Mendoza's lead is reinforced by absence rather than by extra volume. Jeremiyah Love surged into contention after back-to-back triple-yardage games, including a 228-yard performance against USC, and has six 100-yard rushing games this season. Betting markets adjusted sharply for Love, reflecting his late-season production and narrative momentum.
Read at ESPN.com
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