Heisman Watch 2017: 3 reasons why Baker Mayfield will take home award

3. Quarterbacks always get the benefit of the doubt in Heisman voting

Who else is really going to challenge Baker Mayfield in Heisman voting this year? Many of the other contenders in the race were running backs. And rushers have long been at a disadvantage against quarterbacks in 21st-century voting. Especially this year, where several backs put up amazing seasons, they will each get votes regionally. But none stood out enough to garner attention from outside their own regions.

Likewise, there were really no quarterbacks that demonstrated a similar level of dominance as Mayfield did throughout 2017. Lamar Jackson put up over 400 yards of total offense per game, leading the nation in that category. But Louisville’s regression to 8-4 and a three-way tie for third place in the ACC Atlantic obliterated hopes of a repeat.

McKenzie Milton, just like the UCF team he helped lead to the only undefeated regular season in the FBS this year, won’t get  respect. Mason Rudolph won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award over the weekend. But Heisman voters will look at Rudolph’s head-to-head loss against Mayfield and hold their ballots.

Next: Post-Regular Season 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Coming into the Big 12 championship game against TCU, the Heisman was already Mayfield’s to lose. Instead of falling flat, he put in an emphatic performance on the big stage. Now the only question, really, is whether Mayfield can break another record in this year’s vote. He could potentially shatter the mark set by 2005 winner Reggie Bush. He will end 2017 with the highest percentage of votes ever posted in the Heisman balloting.