Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: Upsets shake up pecking order after Week 3

Notables

• Leaderboards: 2nd nationally in passing efficiency (224.2)
• Passing: 63-of-82 for 1046 yards, 10 touchdowns vs 0 interceptions
• Other: 13 carries for -13 yards, 0 touchdowns (4 sacks)

Baker Mayfield climbed to the top spot in the Heisman Trophy Watch last week on the strength of his stellar performance against then-No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus. While his stats tapered off a bit, Mayfield still completed 63 percent of his passes for 331 yards and four touchdowns in less than a full game against Tulane in Week 3.

But Mayfield will need to step up his game now that Big 12 play is about to start for the Sooners. He gets a chance to boost his numbers in games against Baylor and Iowa State to start the conference schedule. The Sooners should be 5-0 heading into the Red River Shootout against Texas on October 14. Fair or not, that game will really mark for Heisman voters where Mayfield stands among his peers.

The Longhorns shut down Sam Darnold this week, forcing two more interceptions from the redshirt sophomore as Texas took USC to overtime. They could give Mayfield fits as well, so he will need to sharpen his play against the Bears and Cyclones over the next three weeks.

Oklahoma dropped a spot in this week’s AP Top 25 despite their big win over Tulane, as defending national champion Clemson leapfrogged the Sooners for the No. 2 spot. Mayfield will need to lead the offense through Big 12 play and make sure there are no down games for Oklahoma. If he can do that, he will be hoisting the school’s first Heisman since Sam Bradford in 2008.

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Of course, Rudolph will also get a chance to make a head-to-head rebuttal in the Bedlam game to cap the regular season. But if Oklahoma goes 13-0, wins the Big 12, and gets into the College Football Playoff, Mayfield will take home the Heisman in 2017.