While Saturday’s slate of college games didn’t adjust the Heisman projection all that much, Friday night’s battle between USC and Washington State pushed one contender out of contention — for now — and another into the spotlight.
Washington State’s Luke Falk has earned Heisman discussion, especially if the Cougars can stay undefeated. But with Sam Darnold out of the top five, a new face enters the mix for the Heisman Trophy.
MORE: USC must face tough questions after Washington State upset
Here's the rundown of players still in the mix, and what the favorites have to do to strengthen their cause.
Heisman watch
Jalen Hurts, Alabama
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech
Luke Falk, Washington State
Sam Darnold, USC
Tyler Huntley, Utah
Quinton Flowers, South Florida
5. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Why he’s top-five: A narrow victory against Texas Tech may not seem great now, but the Red Raiders have one of the best rosters in the Big 12, and Rudolph proved his late game ability in that narrow victory. He has been one of the country’s most productive passers the last two seasons, and he helms a top-15 team.
What he has to show: Surviving the Big 12 schedule may be easier said than done, but Rudolph and his offensive supporting cast should be able to maintain their success. Nov. 18 is the game that’s still circled on the calendar, and staying undefeated up until that game against Oklahoma is of the utmost important if Rudolph wants to hold off other viable contenders.
4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Why he’s top-five: Jackson beat up on Murray State on Saturday, and has remained one of the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. His production hasn’t been surprising, and while his struggles against Clemson will hurt him, he has still like one of the best quarterback in the country.
What he has to show: Jackson faces N.C. State on Thursday night, a game that should be more difficult than some may expect, especially with the Wolfpack's defensive line talent, which is not unlike Clemson’s. Jackson can lose no more than two games this year — and with one already on the books, another this early in the season may push him out of the top five.
MORE: Saquon Barkley on track for historic success
3. Bryce Love, Stanford
Why he’s top-five: After leaving him out of the top five to start the season, a 301-yard effort against a Pac-12 foe is enough to cement Bryce Love’s place in the Heisman discussion. Love leads the country with 1,088 rushing yards and is currently on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record (in 13 games). He shows similar top-end speed, devastating elusiveness, and both inside and outside rushing success in the Stanford offense.
What he has to show: Stanford already has two losses on the season, and it’s tough for any player to win the Heisman Trophy when the team isn’t highly ranked. Only four players have won the Heisman Trophy in the last 30 years when their team had three losses: Tim Brown in 1987, Ricky Williams in 1998, Tim Tebow in 2007 and Lamar Jackson in 2016.
2. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Why he’s top-five: Barkley had his own 300-yard game on Saturday, but with a somewhat lackluster schedule ahead of him, he may be pushed to the background of the national discussion. Still, he’s an elite talent who put together enough highlights in the Iowa game to last him a few weeks.
What he has to show: It’ll be smooth sailing for Penn State and Barkley until the team plays Ohio State and Michigan in back to back weeks later in the season. As long as he remains in the top 10 in rushing in the country (he currently ranks ninth with 574 yards), he’ll be a favorite before those games. They could make or break his candidacy.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Why he’s top-five: Mayfield was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last year, and he has shown no signs of slowing down since the team’s early season losses to Houston and Ohio State in 2016. He leads the country in yards per attempt (13.2) and passer efficiency (228.3), and is the only quarterback in the country with duoble-digit touchdowns (13) to have zero interceptions on the season.
What he has to show: Oklahoma had the weekend off, but they’ll return the next two weeks with a sneaky good Iowa State team and their big rivalry game against Texas. Mayfield should dominate both of those defenses. He gets Oklahoma State, TCU and West Virginia in three of his last four games of the season. Those are the ones that will solidify or derail his Heisman season.