After throwing for a program record 598 yards in a big win, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is the one to beat for the Heisman, but who can beat him?
The Heisman Trophy race has been one of the more interesting ones in recent years in that many of the top candidates have played their way out of contention.
The season began with USC quarterback Sam Darnold as the favorite, then it was UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen to throw his name in the conversation. Last year’s winner, Lamar Jackson, was putting up ridiculous numbers, but Louisville isn’t winning enough games for him to be a legit candidate.
Then, it looked like the Year of the Running Back with Saquon Barkley off to a torrid start the first two months of the year and Bryce Love running for 10 yards a clip. Injury has slowed Love and Stanford’s record isn’t helping and now Barkley, once the prohibitive favorite, has lost two straight while being held well below 100 yards rushing. Then, it looked like Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was in the driver’s seat after leading his team to a comeback win against Barkley’s Nittany Lions.
All the while, there has been one constant and that’s Oklahoma senior quarterback Baker Mayfield who is the clear favorite heading into the final month of the season. The Heisman ceremony is one month away on Dec. 9 and if the vote was today, Mayfield would be a runaway winner. But there are still a few contenders who have a shot to make things interesting over the next month.
Heisman Stock Report: Who’s rising and who’s falling?
5. McKenzie Milton, QB, UCF – Stock Rising
It’s time to recognize the job the sophomore quarterback has done operating Scott Frost’s offense for the undefeated Knights. Milton averages more than 300 passing yards per game and trails only Baker Mayfield in quarterback rating. He has 23 combined touchdowns and completed 70 percent of his passes. He’s the best player on the most underrated team in the country and it’s time to put some respect on his name.
4. Bryce Love – Stanford, RB – Stock Dropping
Bryce Love’s Heisman bid is running out of steam after Stanford lost for the third time this year on Saturday. Love is the nation’s leading rusher with 182 yards per game and had a 50-yard touchdown for the 10th straight game, but his team’s win-loss record is going to prevent him from winning the Heisman. He remains must-see TV and a threat to score from anywhere on the field, but he’ll need to win out to even ensure an invite to the ceremony.
3. Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin, RB – Stock Rising
Wisconsin’s freshman running back looks like a combination of Melvin Gordon and Ron Dayne on the field. He has the combination of speed and power and that’s why he’s third in the nation in rushing with an average of 152 yards per game. Taylor faces an Iowa defense this week that ended J.T. Barrett’s Heisman bid Taylor will try to avoid Heisman jinx this weekend.
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2. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB – Stock Dropping
Saquon Barkley was once the runaway favorite to win the Heisman after the first eight weeks but the Penn State back has been held in check in recent weeks with only 107 yards rushing in the losses to Ohio State and Michigan State. He’s the best pro prospect in college football but his Heisman hopes are slowly fading away.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB – Stock Rising
Baker Mayfield is the player to beat for the Heisman after the Oklahoma quarterback threw for a program-record 598 yards in the Sooners’ 61-51 win over Oklahoma State. He had five touchdowns and now sits third in the country in touchdown passes with 28 and continues to lead the nation in quarterback rating despite two interceptions in the win. A win this weekend against TCU and Mayfield will have a stranglehold on the Trophy.