I watch all of our games and I cannot believe that the same Nando from Cal is the Heisman favorite right now. I mean, he was pretty good, but Heisman?! We are cursed. Probably Wilcox's fault.

Did you watch the Illinois game? Hilarious sour grapes on this board when Mendoza left, acting like he was a 3* nobody that would flame out at his new role

DoubtfulBear said:

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Did you watch the Illinois game? Hilarious sour grapes on this board when Mendoza left, acting like he was a 3* nobody that would flame out at his new role

---

No, I was too busy pregaming for the in-person ****show that was the SDSU game.

F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

I haven't been terribly dialed in on what exactly happened with Mendoza's departure. Can someone shed some light on it? Was it just money? Or was he tired of getting annhilated behind a terrible O Line?

Serious if Indiana beats Oregon and PaState which I doubt

oskithepimp said:

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I haven't been terribly dialed in on what exactly happened with Mendoza's departure. Can someone shed some light on it? Was it just money? Or was he tired of getting annhilated behind a terrible O Line?

---

This article shines some light on why Indiana:
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/who-is-fernando-mendoza-indiana-qb-emerges-as-heisman-trophy-favorite-amid-breakout-early-in-2025-season/

What other factors were at play, I don't know.

DoubtfulBear said:

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Did you watch the Illinois game? Hilarious sour grapes on this board when Mendoza left, acting like he was a 3* nobody that would flame out at his new role

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Its wild how ****ty a fanbase Cal showed itself to be when Mendoza didn't stay.

ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

oskithepimp said:

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I haven't been terribly dialed in on what exactly happened with Mendoza's departure. Can someone shed some light on it? Was it just money? Or was he tired of getting annhilated behind a terrible O Line?

---

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/who-is-fernando-mendoza-indiana-qb-emerges-as-heisman-trophy-favorite-amid-breakout-early-in-2025-season/

It wasnt just him, a lot of talent left Cal for some reason, including Ott.

His brother was at IU, IU had an offense that... protected the QB to allow the QB to play football. The offense was less chaotic, and more development focused.

Basically if you read between the lines on why he went to IU:

His brother didnt play at Cal. Cal didnt have a line. Cal didnt have a development path for him. Cal had a chaotic offense. etc etc.

Mendoza was good on Cal and was certain to be better this year. We must accept that he was a once in lifetime type diamond in the rough. He was a jerk at the end so I will never root for him but we should stop with trying to find reasons why he isn't all that and a bag of chips.

That said, I found this interesting:

Fernando Mendoza had more TDs than incompletions vs Illinois — but only 2 of his 23 attempts were true progression passes. The rest came off RPOs. Against Oregon’s front, he won’t be able to lean on that. That game will either expose Indiana’s passing game or crown him as a legit… https://t.co/xIjy1igC8Z

— Max Browne (@MaxBrowne4) September 25, 2025

LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

Did Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch, or Desean Jackson contact incoming recruits and tell them not to come
to Cal? Or have people from their circle post weird cryptic 'Mr Greg' messages on BI asking for more money midseason?

LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

BearForceOne said:

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LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

---

I highly doubt WSU has anywhere near the same toxicity towards Cam Ward or John Mateer

juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

DoubtfulBear said:

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BearForceOne said:

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LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

---

I highly doubt WSU has anywhere near the same toxicity towards Cam Ward or John Mateer

---

Probably because they didn't try to screw their team on their way out. Mendoza did.

The game against Illinois was insane. Given many other candidates have stumbled, it's reasonable he's up there

DoubtfulBear said:

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BearForceOne said:

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LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.

The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

---

I highly doubt WSU has anywhere near the same toxicity towards Cam Ward or John Mateer

---

They aren't particularly stoked, but also didn't dump on the program on the way out

LunchTime said:

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DoubtfulBear said:

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Did you watch the Illinois game? Hilarious sour grapes on this board when Mendoza left, acting like he was a 3* nobody that would flame out at his new role

---

Its wild how ****ty a fanbase Cal showed itself to be when Mendoza didn't stay.

---

I said before I thought he could have been the next Goff or Rodgers, but of course what the **** do I know right

GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

juarezbear said:

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GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

---

Bingo! Mendoza's a game manager, his supporting cast is doing the heavy lifting. The anger many feel about his departure is how he did it. Big speech about the drive with his boys after the Big Game only to sit out the last 2 games cuz he couldn't be bothered to be involved with his boys anymore.

With regard to the others who left over the last couple of years, have any of them really done anything with their new teams besides Endries and Benghani? Not really….

He's one of our own,
he's one of our own,
Fernando Mendoza,
he's one of our own.

C6Bear said:

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juarezbear said:

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GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

---

Big speech about the drive with his boys after the Big Game only to sit out the last 2 games cuz he couldn't be bothered to be involved with his boys anymore.

---

His boys didn't want to be involved with Cal anymore either. Can't say I blame them considering our administration and coaching staff

DoubtfulBear said:

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C6Bear said:

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juarezbear said:

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GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

---

Big speech about the drive with his boys after the Big Game only to sit out the last 2 games cuz he couldn't be bothered to be involved with his boys anymore.

---

His boys didn't want to be involved with Cal anymore either. Can't say I blame them considering our administration and coaching staff

---

"The boys" won the game for themselves not the coaching staff, after that they were done because that was the ceiling

Not a fan of him now, but his success is a testament to Cal's ability to discover hidden talent as we were the only D1 school to offer him. That's the narrative we should have regarding his success.

DoubtfulBear said:

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BearForceOne said:

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LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

---

I highly doubt WSU has anywhere near the same toxicity towards Cam Ward or John Mateer

---

amazing WSU signed those two, and must be extremely frustrating that they both transferred out

HoopDreams said:

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DoubtfulBear said:

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BearForceOne said:

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LunchTime said:

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ColoradoBear said:

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F Mendoza

That said, the thought of looking up his stats and worrying about how he is doing does not cross my mind on a regular basis. Only when there is yet another post on BI… it's good for your mentals just to let it go.

Now that it has been brought up, in addition to some weak sauce teams, Indiana actually plays two real games this year (no idea how Illinois was ranked) - @Oregon and @Penn State.

I am of the full opinion that part of the reason Mendoza sat out @SMU was because they had the best defense on our schedule and they could have thrashed him thus diminishing his portal value.

So maybe I watch the Oregon game just to see. Or maybe I go golfing because it really doesn't matter to me.

---

I feel like checking in on him like I do about checking in on any Cal player that leaves.

Rodgers, Lynch, Jackson, Gonzalez, etc. They all left early for a better opportunity and did well.


The "F Mendoza" petulance really shows why no players should come to Cal until its the destination... which makes it hard to be the destination.

---

This happens everywhere, not only at Cal.

---

I highly doubt WSU has anywhere near the same toxicity towards Cam Ward or John Mateer

---

amazing WSU signed those two, and must be extremely frustrating that they both transferred out

---

Why would guys of that caliber want to hang around Pullman playing Mountain West teams?

I just might puke if that clown Mendoza wins the Heisman... and I haven't puked in decades, can't remember the last time.

Strykur said:

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DoubtfulBear said:

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C6Bear said:

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juarezbear said:

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GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

---

Big speech about the drive with his boys after the Big Game only to sit out the last 2 games cuz he couldn't be bothered to be involved with his boys anymore.

---

His boys didn't want to be involved with Cal anymore either. Can't say I blame them considering our administration and coaching staff

---

"The boys" won the game for themselves not the coaching staff, after that they were done because that was the ceiling

---

So leaving Cal despite appearing like they were lifers isn't the issue, got it. The only reason you all want to drag Mendoza through the mud is some aggressive texts to JKS?

Strykur said:

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DoubtfulBear said:

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C6Bear said:

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juarezbear said:

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GivemTheAxe said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Let's also remember that Mendoza has a much better team around him at Indiana than he had at Cal. And his team has played together for a long time under good offensive coaches.

---

Exactly this

---

Big speech about the drive with his boys after the Big Game only to sit out the last 2 games cuz he couldn't be bothered to be involved with his boys anymore.

---

His boys didn't want to be involved with Cal anymore either. Can't say I blame them considering our administration and coaching staff

---

"The boys" won the game for themselves not the coaching staff, after that they were done because that was the ceiling

---

Then why did so many of his boys wait until the Spring to bail if they were done after the Big Game? Most of the offensive players could be having a great season right now in this offense had they not bailed. Sure as hell better than anything ucla or Wazzu can put up, or Ott sitting as RB#6 at a now Mateer-less Okiehoma.

…..and to think I even made memes for him last season:






…..and started a Fan Club:

https://bearinsider.com/forums/2/topics/117227

…..but now…


"You Broke My Heart, Nando."

juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

---

Exactly....I will say right now that it will be a WR as the winner....like Smith from Ohio State.
SKS is +7500 by the way...

All I know is, since we claim Vince Ferragamo as one of our own when it comes to Super Bowl starting quarterbacks, if Mendoza ever starts a Super Bowl we will claim him as well and talk about how he learned to be a quarterback at Cal. He didn't leave under the best circumstances, but we're happy with the QB we have now (because Mendoza left), so it's all good.

mbBear said:

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juarezbear said:

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Fernando could've left under better circumstances. That being said, he's no longer with the program so I'm not going to engage in typical Cal fan masochism if he's doing well. Let's all remember the season is very young and the Heisman race will change radically by December.

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Exactly....I will say right now that it will be a WR as the winner....like Smith from Ohio State.
SKS is +7500 by the way...

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Let's get real, if Indiana keeps rolling and is within another run at the playoffs, he might get it