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Oklahoma Football: 5 reasons why Sooners will repeat as Big 12 champs

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Abdul Adams (23) catches a pass in front of Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Curtis Bolton (18) during the spring game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Abdul Adams (23) catches a pass in front of Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Curtis Bolton (18) during the spring game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) waits for the snap in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) waits for the snap in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Baker Mayfield

The Oklahoma Sooners have a gem in quarterback Baker Mayfield. In two seasons as starter, Mayfield is 17-1, having lost just one game in Big 12 play to the Texas Longhorns in 2015.

Mayfield has been a model of success since becoming starter in 2015. He won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2015, after throwing for 3,700 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns.

He followed that up with 3,965 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns in 2016. Mayfield led the Big 12 and FBS in passing yards per attempt (11.1).

He set the new FBS record for passing efficiency with a 196.4 rating. He was first in the FBS and Big 12 in passing completion percentage at 70.9 percent.

To close out the 2016 season, Mayfield led the Sooners to a 35-19 victory over the Auburn Tigers in the Sugar Bowl. Now, he enters 2017 looking to dominate the Big 12 and earn his team a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition

After finishing fourth in Heisman voting in 2015 and third in voting in 2016, it’s hard to doubt Baker Mayfield. Winning his third-straight Big 12 title will have huge implications on his legacy. He’ll just need to deliver on his end now.

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