I ran across an ESPN article that, to me, perfectly sums up why the Heisman Trophy is completely meaningless now. Here are a few snippets: 

The voting structure matters. Heisman voting ballots are distributed on Dec. 1 with the deadline for submission set for Dec. 8. The Big Ten Championship is Dec. 6. Some may get their vote early, others may wait. I would believe (assumption) that voters have already formed their internal hierarchy before then and the title game simply acts as confirmation, not a reset. If Mendoza walks into that matchup 12-0 with the clearest moment of the year already in his pocket, he has the strongest resume before the ball is even kicked.

I think this part is well-known, but it doesn't make it any less ridiculous -- Hesiman voters can cast their vote before conference championship games. So, most voters will have either cast their vote or already made up their mind before one of the biggest games of the year for the player happens. 

On Fernando Mendoza: 

What actually wins Mendoza the award is narrative, and right now he owns it. Indiana has the undefeated record, Mendoza has the game-winning fourth-quarter drive, the pressure context and the statistical profile that is efficient enough where nobody can say, "he's just a story." He has 31 total touchdowns, a 71% completion rate...

On Julian Sayin: 

Voters need to feel something and right now he has zero emotional imprint on the season. Sure, he's efficient, clean and technically superior, but where's the drama? Efficiency without drama is invisible in a Heisman race.

Sayin needs a defining snapshot, something that cuts through the noise. Right now, his whole resume reads like 24 passing touchdowns (none on the ground), 300 yards a game, zero chaos, no sweat. That's solid pocket-passing but, for the Heisman, it's vanilla.

Hold on. Julian Sayin is completing 80.9% of his passes, which is 3.5% higher than the record for completion percentage over an entire season, and it's just "vanilla"? But, yeah, let's use Mendoza's 71% completion percentage as a reason why he should be the Heisman frontrunner.

Hold on again. Mendoza gets credit for a fourth-quarter comeback against Penn State, but Sayin receives no credit for absolutely obliterating that same Penn State defense just a week earlier? Make it make sense. 

So what does Sayin need in order to win? He needs Michigan to push Ohio State. Then he needs to respond with a defining drive or moment in that game, needs to be the reason the streak ends, needs a signature throw that belongs on the broadcast loop. Gus Johnson lost his mind with Mendoza's pass. Can Sayin produce a similar reaction?

Sayin couldn't just dominate a very good Michigan defense, and that wouldn't be enough? No, apparently, he needs to have an average, uninspiring game, then get bailed out by a great catch at the end of the game. Just like Mendoza did against Penn State. Also, Gus Johnson loses his mind when the wind changes direction. 

Anyway, I found the article amusing and, again, a prime example of why the Heisman has lost so much meaning. The award should go to the best player in the country, not simply the player with the best "narrative."