If there was any doubt about whether Baker Mayfield was this year’s Heisman winner, play back the Big-12 title game from Saturday against TCU.
Baker balled out like he usually does, securing a playoff berth for the Sooners with a 41-17 victory and all but clinched his place as OU’s sixth Heisman winner.
He threw for 243 yards on 15/23 passing for four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also ran six times for 65 yards. Saturday’s win also gave Mayfield his third Big-12 title as OU’s starting quarterback, and he ended his regular season career with more conference titles than conference loses.
But don’t just take my word for it. Here are a few moments from Saturday’s victory that gave Baker a death grip on the heisman trophy.
LOOK AT BAKER WITH THE STIFF ARM pic.twitter.com/kaSZEkVP7o
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 2, 2017
Baker recorded his longest career run in the second quarter, running for 56 yards. I mean, how do you even defend this guy?
That’s @Mandrews_81‘s 3rd career game with multiple touchdowns. #BeatTCU pic.twitter.com/Lh33d6A5Yt
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 2, 2017
This was Baker’s second TD to TE Mark Andrews in the first half. I’m honestly not sure how many quarterbacks can make that throw.
.@baker_mayfield6 tosses his 40th TD pass of the season as he hits @Ocho_Era8 for the 55-yard score. #BeatTCU pic.twitter.com/IqaolmQmVI
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 2, 2017
It would be easy to look at this highlight and think, “Well, Mykel Jones was wide open. Anybody could’ve made that throw.” However, it’s very easy to overlook how accurate the throw had to be for Jones to catch it and continue his stride.
?, ?, ?!
Hollywood Brown takes it to the HOUSE as @OU_Football breaks it open! #Sooners pic.twitter.com/ZtY6ZADSUr
— FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) December 2, 2017
This touchdown put the game out of reach for the Horned Frogs. Again, it would be easy to assume that anybody could make this throw. But seriously, turn on any other college football game and see how many quarterbacks overthrow/underthrow a wide open receiver to where he either can’t catch up to it or isn’t able to score because he had to wait on the ball. This is a perfectly thrown ball where Brown (who might be the fastest guy alive) can easily continue his route and catch it.
Whether you love him or hate him, there really isn’t much argument about the best quarterback in college football. Baker’s going to be the heisman winner, and he’s going to lead his team to their second Playoff game in three years.