Overview
- Betting markets as of Nov. 24–25 still list Mendoza as the favorite (roughly -105 to -130), with Love (+375 to +450) and Pavia (+500 to +600) closing the gap and Sayin drifting into the +400 to +550 range.
- Love vaulted into the top tier after an eight-carry, 171-yard, three-touchdown performance in Notre Dame’s 70-7 win over Syracuse, pushing his season totals to 1,306 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns.
- Pavia stormed back into contention with a Vanderbilt single-game passing record of 484 yards and six total touchdowns against Kentucky, lifting the Commodores to a program record-tying ninth win.
- Analysts note Sayin remains a primary challenger but lacks a defining late-season moment, with opportunities looming against Michigan and potentially in a Big Ten title matchup that could also feature Mendoza.
- Reinforcing the field, Mendoza, Sayin and Love were named Maxwell Award finalists, and media snapshots such as On3’s straw poll place Mendoza first with Pavia and Love rising quickly behind.