John Mateer's injury props up new Heisman favorite

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th September, 11:52 2025

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and IIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza, step on up, you are the newest Heisman Trophy favorite in a season that has seen five candidates rise to the top before the calendar hits October.

Following the news that Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will undergo hand surgery that is expected to sideline him for a month, Mendoza suddenly is the Heisman favorite at most sportsbooks.

Barely on the Heisman radar when the season began a month ago, the Indiana quarterback vaulted into the conversation with a five-touchdown performance in last week's 63-10 rout of Illinois. He was +900 on Monday, just behind Mateer at +700. With Mateer now sidelined, Mendoza is the +650 favorite at BetMGM.

Mateer had just separated himself from the pack with Oklahoma's come-from-behind win at home against Auburn. He had been jockeying for the top spot with Miami's Carson Beck, and they had followed preseason favorite Arch Manning from Texas along with LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.

Mateer's odds plummeted to +2000 with the injury news. Meanwhile, Oregon's Dante Moore shifted to the No. 2 spot at +1000, followed by Beck at +1200. It also provided a boost to Jeremiah Smith, who has the shortest odds among non-quarterbacks. Ohio State's wide receiver is now +1400, even with Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton.

The book currently stands to do very well in the Heisman market, with the three biggest liabilities being Manning, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Manning leads all players with 13.2 percent of the money wagered backing him to win the award.

Mateer had garnered a lot of interest over the past few weeks and had become the book's fourth biggest liability, just ahead of Nussmeier. None are currently among the top five favorites, with Nussmeier the only one among the top 10 at +!500.

DraftKings also is offering Mendoza as the new favorite at +700. He closely is followed by Moore (+850) ahead of Beck (+1200), Stockton (+1300) and Aguilar and Smith at +1400.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS*

PLAYER, POS, TEAM, PRE-MATEER INJURY, CURRENT

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (+900), (+650)

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (+1200), (+1000)

Carson Beck, QB, Miami (+1200), (+1200)

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (+1600), (+1400)

Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia (+1400), (+1400)

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M (+1500), (+1500)

Josh Hoover, QB, TCU, (+1500), (+1500)

Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee (+1500), (+1500)

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (+1500), (+1500)

Jayden Maiava, QB, Southern Cal (+2000), (+1600)