With Penn State lurking behind the scenes after a starting the season with a soft schedule, many forgot just how special Saquon Barkley is as a college runner. The Nittany Lions running back reminded fans and Heisman voters against Iowa on Saturday.
Barkley put up 305 total yards in a narrow victory that ended with a game-ending touchdown from quarterback Trace McSorley — a performance that has finally given quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield a true contender.
MORE: Barkley proves he's college football's best player
Here's the rundown of players still in the mix, and what the favorites have to do to strengthen their cause.
Heisman Watch
Players in the mix:
Trace McSorley, Penn State
Luke Falk, Washington State
Jalen Hurts, Alabama
Justin Herbert, Oregon
Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech
Tyler Huntley, Utah
Quinton Flowers, South Florida
Kelly Bryant, Clemson
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
5. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Why he’s top-five: Despite losing in convincing fashion against TCU this past week, Mason Rudolph will remain in the Heisman hunt so long as he can remain just a one-loss quarterback before his game against Oklahoma. He’s going to keep putting up gaudy numbers in a loaded Oklahoma State offense, and his NFL future will likely help him with Heisman voters.
What he has to show: At this point, his game against Oklahoma on Nov. 4 will be the be all end all for Rudolph’s Heisman chances. If he wins out before that game and outperforms Baker Mayfield, he may re-emerge as a Heisman front runner.
MORE: Rudolph coming for Mayfield, Heisman
4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Why he’s top-five: Jackson will continue to put up outstanding dual-threat numbers all season. Jackson has a cupcake opponent this week in Murray State, and that comes after he lit up a Kent State defense. That means Jackson may fade away from the national spotlight for a few weeks. But with his elite skill set and his ability to put up four-plus touchdowns on any ACC team, it’d be a surprise if he wasn’t invited back to New York as a Heisman finalist.
What he has to show: It was always going to be an uphill battle for Jackson to join Archie Griffin as a repeat winner, and his loss to Clemson may have put the nail in his coffin for voters — unless other Heisman contenders start really struggling. Finishing strong late in the season through the ACC stretch may be his best opportunity.
MORE: New, improved Jackson showing NFL value
3. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Why he’s top-five: Penn State had a very soft schedule through their first three games of the season, but Iowa proved to be Penn State’s and Barkley’s coming-out party. Regardless of McSorley's fourth-quarter heroics in a narrow win, Barkley was the star of the game. He posted 211 rushing yards coupled with 94 receiving yards, dominating an Iowa defense that will likely end the season as one of the Big Ten’s best. Barkley is the Big Ten’s most talented athlete.
What he has to show: Production is going to be important for Barkley to compete with the quarterbacks in the mix for the Heisman this year, but he’ll have ample opportunity for a “Heisman moment” against Ohio State and Michigan later in the season. Until then, if he keeps posting games of 300 all-purpose yards, he may start to cut into Baker Mayfield’s clear lead in the Heisman race.
MORE: Difference in USC-Texas? Darnold
2. Sam Darnold, USC
Why he’s top-five: An undefeated quarterback for USC will always be in the mix for the Heisman Trophy, but Darnold has earned the attention. He not only has an NFL future — which Heisman voters quietly take into account — but has also played well late in games, particularly against Texas. He looks prepared to win close games late and impress in prime time when Heisman voters are watching.
What he has to show: Seven interceptions through four games isn’t great, and with Pac-12 play now in full swing, there’s no doubt he’ll need to throw 40-plus times consistently for most of USC's remaining schedule. If he can keep the interception total down and remain undefeated, his prestige will help him nationally with Heisman voters.
MORE: Mayfield plants Sooners' flag
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Why he’s top-five: After entering the season as one of the front-runners, Mayfield’s gap is only going to widen if he continues to put up huge numbers, limit his turnovers and roll through the Big 12. With his sizable lead in the Heisman race, it may take a slip against a team like Oklahoma State for another contender to cut into the No. 1 spot.
What he has to show: He doesn’t have to do much. Winning out in the Big 12 will go a long way, and it’ll be tough for Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley or any Heisman favorite to outproduce Mayfield this season enough to overtake him. Again, Oklahoma's game at Oklahoma State on Nov. 4 may be the final test for Mayfield.