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2016 Heisman Trophy: Case for and against each finalist

By Jordan Luth

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) strikes a pose after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John
Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) strikes a pose after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John /
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Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) smiles after a penalty during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) smiles after a penalty during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

Last year, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. He couldn’t quiet get them there this year, but he still had another amazing season. Mayfield had 3,669 passing yards to go with 38 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.  It was a big year for Mayfield that got him to New York.

Case for

When it comes to purely being a QB, Baker Mayfield’s stats are better than Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, the other QB Heisman finalists. Besides Watson having more passing yards, Mayfield is better in every stat. Mayfield has more passing yards than Lamar Jackson. He has more passing touchdowns than both Watson and Jackson, and he has fewer interceptions than both of them as well. His QBR is also the highest among the three of them by five points. He has also led the Sooners on a nine-game win streak to end the year with a Big 12 title.

Case against 

In all reality, the Big 12 isn’t known for defense. The teams that Oklahoma plays don’t have elite defenses. The one elite defense that they did play was that of Ohio State. In that game Mayfield threw two interceptions and had an abysmal QBR of 23.4. His star wideout Dede Westbrook only had five catches for 51 yards as well. Safe to say that Mayfield and the Sooner offense weren’t ready for the Buckeyes. Along with that, it can be said that Baker Mayfield is just the product of Dede Westbrook. All the great plays that Westbrook make, come back and only help out Mayfield.

Mayfield has announced that he will be back for his senior season at Oklahoma. While this may not be his year for the Heisman, he is sure to be an early season favorite for the award next year.

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