Picture this: Two electrifying quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Dante Moore of Oregon, are gearing up for a showdown that could ignite the college football season and spark heated debates about who deserves Heisman Trophy glory. It's not just a game—it's a clash of talents that might rewrite the narrative for elite signal-callers in the sport. But here's where it gets controversial: Despite their early-season brilliance, these guys were hardly the offseason buzzmakers. Now, with Saturday's high-stakes matchup between two top-10 squads looming, all eyes are on them to see if they can dominate the conversation for weeks to come.
Heading into the year, there was genuine excitement surrounding Oregon's Dante Moore and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, yet they didn't dominate the preseason chatter like some other quarterbacks. Fast-forward to now, and these two will steal the spotlight as they guide their teams in a marquee battle that could influence not only the on-field storylines but also the ongoing Heisman discussions. For a refresher, the Heisman Trophy is college football's most prestigious award for the best player, often decided by polls and votes that build throughout the season.
Over the first few weeks, both Moore and Mendoza have performed like elite quarterbacks in the college ranks, showcasing skills that have caught the attention of scouts and coaches alike. To dive deeper into what makes these players tick, our team at The Athletic chatted with several industry insiders who've watched them up close over the years. These experts spoke candidly, requesting anonymity to share their honest takes.
Both quarterbacks earned spots in the top 25 of our 2025 college football quarterback rankings during the offseason, setting the stage for high expectations. And this is the part most people miss: Mendoza's background as a starter in 19 games over the past two seasons at Cal brought some stability to a Bears offense that had been struggling, making him a more familiar name entering this year.
Mendoza's path to prominence is a classic underdog story. He emerged from relative obscurity as a two-star recruit from South Florida, initially pledging to Yale before switching to Cal in February 2022. Starting as the third-string quarterback behind Ben Finley and Sam Jackson, he seized the starting role with just five games remaining in the 2023 season. Since then, his reputation has soared, much like a hidden gem finally getting the spotlight it deserves.
Take this thrilling play, for example: Mendoza's pinpoint throw from the far sideline that left fans and analysts buzzing. (Imagine the precision required to hit a receiver in stride under pressure—it's the kind of moment that defines a quarterback's potential.)
One staffer from a program that faced Mendoza in past seasons described him as a 'developmental guy' with raw tools and size when he arrived in college. 'He needed time to mature,' the staffer noted, 'and it seems Cal discovered a diamond in the rough that Indiana wisely scooped up. The quick release and accuracy we saw hints of in high school are now shining through.'
Even with those promising glimpses, Mendoza didn't grab national headlines. Despite his presence, Cal's offense didn't rack up flashy stats, and the team never won more than six games in his starting seasons. That led to some doubters questioning his true impact. But here's where it gets controversial: Is it fair to judge a quarterback solely by team wins, or should we focus more on individual growth and efficiency?
A personnel staffer from a team that played Indiana this year gave credit to the Hoosiers' scouts: 'When we faced him, it was clear what they saw. I wasn't initially impressed, especially given his modest record, but on the field, you realize he's not flashy—he's effective. You don't notice the obvious weaknesses until you compete against him.'
So, what defines Mendoza as a quarterback? The same staffer praised his patience and pre-snap field vision. 'We tried pressuring him early, but he stayed unflappable—the calmest QB I've encountered. He takes what's available, which made it tough for us.' Another expert who faced the Hoosiers echoed this, highlighting Mendoza's accuracy across all distances: 'Mid-range, deep, short—he nails them. He's not the most athletic, but he's quick enough to escape when needed and gain yards on the ground.'
The insiders also pointed to Mendoza's strong processing skills and progressions, honed by those two years of starting experience. This season, he's amassed 1,208 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just one interception, with a 73% completion rate. For beginners, 'progressions' refer to how a QB reads the defense and moves through his options quickly, like scanning for open receivers in a split-second decision.
Moore's stats mirror Mendoza's closely: 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns, one interception, and a 74.6% completion rate. Their rushing numbers are neck-and-neck too—122 yards for Moore and 102 for Mendoza. Yet, Moore's journey started differently, with early buzz as a high school standout at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit.
A P4 assistant coach recalled watching one of Moore's games: 'I wasn't recruiting him, so I didn't know much, but wow—this kid was the best QB I'd seen in high school.' Recruiting rankings agreed, placing him as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 4 overall player in the 2023 class on 247Sports Composite.
Moore committed to Oregon over five months before flipping to UCLA in December 2022. He grabbed the starting job after just one game, but it was a baptism by fire. Turnovers piled up, including pick-sixes in three straight contests, leading to his benching and entry into the transfer portal. (For those new to the term, the transfer portal is a system allowing players to switch schools freely, often after a rough patch.)
He landed at Oregon, slated to back up veteran Dillon Gabriel in 2024, throwing only eight passes. With questions lingering from his UCLA inconsistency, especially following NFL-bound stars like Gabriel and Bo Nix, doubts arose about his fit in Oregon's high-powered system.
But Oregon's setup—top-tier talent and coaching, led by offensive coordinator Will Stein—provided a stronger foundation than UCLA's. The Ducks demolished their first four foes, though Moore wasn't heavily tested. 'He didn't do anything wild against us,' said a staffer from a team that faced Oregon. 'He just distributed the ball smartly, setting up his receivers for success.'
That changed in a nail-biting double-overtime win at Penn State, where Moore showed grit in a tough environment. He scrambled for key yards and delivered clutch throws, including the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime. (Think of it as a high-pressure moment where a QB must improvise and stay composed—it's the stuff of legends.)
One staffer exclaimed, 'He wasn't just executing the plays; he was making real throws and showing his mettle.' Another praised his bravery: 'He took some hits while running, displaying real toughness.'
The high school coach who later faced Moore confirmed his early impressions: 'He's intelligent, instinctive, poised, with solid arm strength. He can read defenses and lead a team to a title.'
Oregon is favored by 7.5 points on Saturday, but No. 7 Indiana (5-0) could challenge No. 3 Oregon (5-0) at Autzen Stadium. A staffer noted Indiana's underrated depth: 'They rotate players and wear you down, especially if you can't match their bench strength.' However, Iowa's defense tested Indiana recently, and Oregon boasts superior defensive talent.
On the Ducks' offense: 'They run a smart scheme that minimizes mistakes,' the assistant coach said. 'Moore handles it well, processes quickly, and leads effectively.'
So, who has the advantage? One staffer leaned toward Moore: 'He has elite weapons, plus better athleticism, touch, and varied throws—I'm more impressed with Dante than Fernando.'
This Saturday, Moore and Mendoza get another chance to prove themselves on the field. But here's where it gets controversial: With their similar stats and styles, is Moore's high school hype and Oregon's talent edge enough to crown him the superior QB, or will Mendoza's steady rise and calm demeanor steal the show? And this is the part most people miss: How much does a QB's supporting cast—coaches, receivers, and scheme—really tip the scales in such matchups?
Who do you think will emerge victorious in this QB duel? Does Moore's athletic edge make him the favorite, or is Mendoza's poise the key to upsetting the odds? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments—let's debate!
