Ranked choice voting works for the Heisman, can work for Indiana too

By: David Daley

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: February 2, 2026

Words: 857

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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How did Indiana’s national-champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman? Thirty-three touchdowns, an undefeated season — and ranked choice voting.

Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy victory ended up as one-sided as Indiana’s playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon. He earned 643 first-place votes, wildly outpacing Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, a distant second with 189, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, who received 46.

But with the Heisman’s open-ended criteria and tens of thousands of FBS players, …

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