When Indiana took on Penn State a few weeks ago, quarterback Fernando Mendoza was without his top wide receiver, and it showed against the Nittany Lions. However, because of that, Mendoza got his Heisman moment with an amazing game-winning drive and pass to one of his backup receivers in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
This week, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin could be faced with the same scenario against Rutgers as both Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith could be kept out of this game, so they are ready for the game against Michigan.
Julian Sayin can pull a Fernando Mendoza and get his Heisman moment with top WRs potentially out
Obviously, there is no call yet on whether Tate and Smith will or won't be out, but head coach Ryan Day seems to want to give his guys the best opportunity to be healthy for the rest of the season. At this point, the Buckeyes are basically a complete lock for the College Football Playoff, and if they want to repeat as National Champions, they are going to need those guys healthy.
So, that means that Sayin will have to potentially have to learn how to play without Tate and Smith this weekend if they are kept out due to injury. Sayin has the opportunity to show he can do it without the top pass catchers in the country.
Tate and Smith make up for 1,613 of Ohio State's 2,795 receiving yards this season, and they also make up 17 of the Buckeyes' 26 receiving touchdowns this season, so they certainly are the biggest receivers for Sayin.
The way Sayin truly gets ahead of Mendoza in this Heisman race is if he goes out there and lays it on Rutgers. Ohio State can't have a close game against the Scarlet Knights or that could cause Sayin to lose this award.
If Sayin can go out there and get it done and make it look easy without Tate and Smith, then he could have the Heisman Trophy win locked up before the regular season is even over.