2025 Heisman Watch Update, Week 11: Julian Sayin New Top Candidate

We are in the final month of the college football regular season, a crucial time when the top players like Ohio State gunslinger Julian Sayin make a final push for the Heisman Trophy. This race is very close, and it could go to any of the players listed below — and who knows, maybe one who isn't.

Below, we'll take a look at the Heisman Watch frontrunners ahead of Week 11, breaking down our top five contenders to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy and the frontrunners' stat projections on PrizePicks real money CFB game this week.

2025 Heisman Watch Update, Week 11

Here are our top Heisman Trophy Watch candidates heading Week 11.

On PrizePicks, you can win real money by picking More or Less on weekly stats from these Heisman candidates and more CFB players — including pass yards, TDs, and much more.

5. Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss

Next game: vs. The Citadel – Saturday, 1 p.m. ET

Chambliss continues his Cinderella story with another win for Ole Miss. As a result of their 8-1 record, the Rebels landed at No. 7 in the CFB Playoff Rankings. The sophomore had another incredible performance by utilizing both his arm and legs. Last Saturday, Chambliss threw for 159 yards with 1 passing TD, adding 59 yards on the ground with 1 rushing TD. More importantly, he convincingly beat South Carolina 30-14 in Week 10.

Since becoming the starter at Ole Miss, he has been more than solid, ranking 12th with 1,608 passing yards and 13th. What sets him apart is that he remains calm under pressure; his 831 passing yards when being blitzed rank fifth, and his 8 passing TDs are fourth.

4. Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed

Next game: @ No. 22 Missouri – Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Aggies had the week off, but they got some good news. They were the top SEC team and No. 3 overall in the first CFB Playoff Rankings. They earned their spot, as they are the only team in the conference to be undefeated. 

A&M isn’t in this position without Reed; he doesn’t have the same numbers as the competitors on the list. For example, he’s only fifth in the SEC in passing yards per game (259.1).

He went to South Bend and beat Notre Dame on a final drive, and he also traveled to Baton Rouge and defeated an LSU team that badly needed a win.

Reed could carve his own path to the Heisman Trophy; he might just need to win the SEC Championship, and it could look better if it were against Ty Simpson and Alabama.

It might not be an easy journey to the SEC Championship. This week, Mizzou faces No. 22 Missouri, then they conclude the regular season with No. 11 Texas, which is starting to play well with four consecutive wins. 

Marcel Reed Projections vs. Missouri

Marcel Reed's projections are from the PrizePicks real money CFB game — pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and win cash if you're right.

• 229.5 Passing Yards
• 35.5 Rushing Yards
• 269 Pass+Rush Yards
• 1.5 Pass TDs
• 0.5 INT (Demon)
• 1.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
• 41.5 Yards on Longest Completion
• 15.5 Longest Rush

3. Alabama QB Ty Simpson

Next game: vs. LSU – Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

Just like Reed, Simpson was idle this week and, as a result, was bounced out of our top spot — however, there is still a chance for him to climb back there. He’s playing in the SEC, which features six teams in the top 12. Simpson claims a victory over one of those teams with a 24-21 win over No. 5 Georgia, throwing for for 276 yards and 2 TDs. 

He’s been one of the better quarterbacks in the conference, as he leads with a 162.6 passer rating, second with 20 TDs, and third with 2,184 passing yards.

The battle with (7 p.m. ET, ABC) gives him a shot to make some noise on the national stage. He does match up with one more ranked team when he faces No. 12 Oklahoma in Week 12.

Ty Simpson Projections vs. LSU

Ty Simpson's projections are from the PrizePicks real money CFB game — pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and win cash if you're right.

• 272.5 Passing Yards
• 11.5 Rushing Yards
• 283 Pass+Rush Yards
• 1.5 Pass TDs (Goblin)
• 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
• 0.5 Rush TDs (Demon)
• 40.5 Yards on Longest Completion
• 10.5 Yards on Longest Rush

2. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

Next game: @ Penn State – Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Indiana is No. 2 in the first CFB Playoff rankings, and Mendoza is now No. 2 in our rankings. 

The Hoosiers continue to dominate their opponents, having scored 50+ points in back-to-back weeks. Mendoza continues to be a key player for Indiana, with 10 total TDs in his last three games. This brings his total to 25 passing TDs, the second-highest in the nation, along with a passer rating of 191.5.

The schedule has been as soft as Charmin in that span, with games against Maryland, Michigan State, and UCLA, which combine for a 4-12 conference record.

That favorable schedule continues, as the Hoosiers finish the season facing Penn State, Wisconsin, and Purdue, who are a combined 0-16 in the Big Ten.

Fernando Mendoza Projections vs. Penn State

Fernando Mendoza's projections are from the PrizePicks real money CFB game — pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and win cash if you're right.

• 234.5 Passing Yards
• 22.5 Rushing Yards
• 2.5 Pass TDs (Demon)
• 0.5 INT
• 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
• 0.5 Rush TDs (Demon)

1. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin

Next game: @ Purdue – Saturday, 1 p.m. ET

Sayin is on the verge of putting up some incredible numbers — most notably, he could break now-Broncos QB Bo Nix’s single-season completion record of 77.4%, as he is currently at 80.7%. He’s leading them to the end zone with his 23 passing TDs, the third most in the FBS, and leads the country with a 197.1 passer rating.

His incredible play has led the Buckeyes to the No. 1 spot in the first CFB Playoff rankings. They have been crushing teams with seven straight wins by two or more possessions. The sophomore quarterback has heavily contributed to that run with 2+ passing TDs in his last seven games.

Their next three games are all against under .500 teams, including 2-7 Purdue, but then OSU faces No. 21 Michigan at The Big House. If Sayin performs well there, then again in the Big Ten Championship, that could be his path to the Heisman Trophy.

Julian Sayin Projections vs. Purdue

Julian Sayin’s projections are from the PrizePicks real money CFB game — pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and win cash if you're right.

• 293.5 Passing Yards
• 2.5 Pass TDs (Goblin)
• 0.5 INT (Demon)
• 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
• 0.5 Rush TDs (Demon)
• 48.5 Yards on Longest Completion

As Week 11 of the 2025 college football season approaches, Julian Sayin is your new top contender for the Heisman Trophy, but former frontrunner Ty Simpson could reclaim that position with an impressive showing this week.

No matter who you're backing to win the Heisman, you can cash in on your player picks in PrizePicks' real money college football game every week this season.

Just pick More or Less on weekly stat projections and win if your picks are correct.

Check out the Playbook for more CFB DFS picks and college football predictions throughout the season.