Ex-FOX Sports analyst questions Fernando Mendoza's Heisman win

Ex-FOX Sports analyst questions Fernando Mendoza's Heisman win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza cruised to a decisive Heisman Trophy victory Saturday night, but not everyone was sold on his candidacy.

Former FOX Sports commentator Skip Bayless questioned the selection on social media, arguing that Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was more deserving despite finishing second in the voting. 

Bayless congratulated Mendoza while suggesting Pavia’s on-field production outweighed any concerns about his demeanor.

Congrats to Fernando Mendoza ... nice memorized, rehearsed speech ... but Diego Pavia deserved this award for his performance on the field, even if his swagger and edge rubbed some voters and viewers the wrong way.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 14, 2025

Mendoza won comfortably, earning 643 first-place votes to Pavia’s 189 and sweeping all six geographic voting regions. The fan vote went to Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

Bayless pointed to Pavia’s historic season at Vanderbilt, where he led the Commodores to 10 wins for the first time in program history. Pavia threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns and added 826 rushing yards and nine scores, following a seven-win campaign last season that included an upset of then-No. 1 Alabama.

Pavia lack of marquee victories this season was a reason for concern. Vanderbilt’s best win came against No. 25 Missouri, and Pavia threw six touchdowns and four interceptions against winning FBS teams as the Commodores missed the College Football Playoff.

As for Mendoza, he guided Indiana to an undefeated season and a No. 1 ranking. He passed for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns, rushed for six more scores and delivered signature performances in a comeback win over Penn State and an upset of Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.

Mendoza’s resume leaned heavily on defense in key wins, but Heisman voters overwhelmingly backed his claim to college football’s top individual honor.

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