Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: A new contender rises in Week 5

Oklahoma sat out Week 5 on a bye, leaving Baker Mayfield without a chance to bolster his resume in the Heisman race. But he remains on the top of the charts this week thanks to what he has already done through the Sooners’ first four games of the year. The Big 12 favorites are in position for another trip to the College Football Playoff thanks to their talented offensive leader.

Mayfield broke the season record for passing efficiency in 2016, and he is in position to obliterate his own mark this year. The Sooners veteran has averaged over 13 yards per passing attempt with a completion rate north of 75 percent.

More importantly, he hasn’t thrown a single interception in his first 101 passing attempts. At this point of the season, Mayfield is one of just four players with at least 100 attempts (and eight total quarterbacks) who can boast that distinction. He started the season with a near-perfect game against UTEP, took down Ohio State in a runaway victory on the road, and hasn’t stopped since.

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In Lincoln Riley’s first season taking over for Bob Stoops at the helm of the Sooners, he was gifted perhaps the most talented quarterback in the country. Mayfield has been as good as advertised, positioning himself as a Heisman favorite. If he continues this pace, he could supplant Sam Bradford as the most efficient FBS quarterback in history and join the former Sooner as a Heisman winner.