Oklahoma Football: 3 takeaways from Big 12 win over TCU
By Zach Bigalke
1. Baker Mayfield sealed up the Heisman Trophy on Saturday against TCU
For much of the season, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has been the frontrunner in the Heisman race. On Saturday, he would have needed to collapse completely to lose his chance at the award. TCU couldn’t shut down the former Texas Tech transfer, though, and Mayfield did everything he needed to do to become Oklahoma’s next Heisman winner.
He had extra motivation to put up a big game after losing out to rival Mason Rudolph in the running for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. In the Big 12 championship, Mayfield finished 15-of-23 passing for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He added another 65 rushing yards on six carries, as he led Oklahoma to a resounding victory over the Horned Frogs.
It was yet another efficient performance from the most efficient quarterback in the country. Mayfield finishes the season with the highest passing efficiency rating ever posted by a FBS quarterback over the course of a season, becoming the first to complete a year with a rating over 200.
Everyone else in the Heisman race needed Mayfield to fall flat on Saturday. He didn’t do so. No matter who else gets invited to the Downtown Athletic Club next weekend for the Heisman ceremony, they will be there as window dressing. Mayfield is your 2017 Heisman winner after this performance.