Let's Debate: Which 2025 Heisman Trophy Finalist Should Win And Why?

The 2025 Heisman Trophy finalists — Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — have all had standout seasons, and one of them will win the sport's most prestigious award on Saturday night.

Mendoza and Sayin will both suit up in the College Football Playoff, while Pavia and Love are done for the season.

We asked FOX Sports' college football writers to weigh in on how they'd rank the four finalists and why.

1. In what order would you vote for Mendoza, Sayin, Pavia and Love to win the award for the nation’s most outstanding player?

Michael Cohen: 1. Mendoza, 2. Pavia, 3. Sayin, 4. Love

The ongoing revolution at Indiana under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti remains the best story in college football, and a string of transcendent performances from Mendoza have taken the operation to new heights amid the first undefeated season in program history that now includes the school’s first outright Big Ten title since 1945.

Mendoza, a transfer from Cal, was already the Heisman Trophy front-runner entering last week’s conference title game against then-No. 1 Ohio State, though he certainly was still within striking distance of Sayin and Pavia. By the time Mendoza arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium, he’d already guided the Hoosiers to 10 victories by double-digit margins, including a 63-10 evisceration of then-No. 9 Illinois and a thumping 30-20 triumph at Autzen Stadium against then-No. 3 Oregon. He had also authored come-from-behind road wins against Iowa (20-15) and Penn State (27-24) that included bona fide Heisman Trophy-caliber moments in each: his 49-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt